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Republicans Swipe Senate for First Time in 4 Years
International Desk
06 Nov 2024, 11:58
Democratic Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown speaks during a watch party on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio, Photo: AP
Republicans regained control of the U.S. Senate late Tuesday, flipping Democratic-held seats and securing GOP incumbents. The pivotal moment came in Nebraska, where incumbent GOP Sen. Deb Fischer narrowly defeated independent Dan Osborn.
Republicans also flipped a seat in West Virginia, with Jim Justice replacing retiring Sen. Joe Manchin. Democratic attempts to oust Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida failed. Cruz’s victory in Texas, a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat in nearly 30 years, was fueled by his support for reproductive rights amid strict abortion laws. In Ohio, Republican Bernie Moreno defeated Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, marking the first loss for an incumbent senator in the cycle.
As Democrats fought to retain their majority, attention shifted to critical states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. With the Senate split 50-50, control could hinge on just one seat, with the vice president holding the tie-breaking vote.
Historic victories also marked the night. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland became the first Black women elected to the Senate, while Andy Kim of New Jersey became the first Korean American senator. Meanwhile, Sarah McBride of Delaware made history as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.
Amid these battles, the economy, immigration, and the future of democracy emerged as key issues for voters. With former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on the presidential ballot, Congress’s role in certifying election results remains critical. As vote counting continues in several key races, both parties are closely watching outcomes in Montana, Arizona, Nevada, and other battleground states.
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.
(Source: AP)
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Cyclone 'Milton' Hits with Winds of 205 km/h
Cyclone 'Milton' has struck near Siesta Key in Sarasota County, along the western coast of Florida, USA, with maximum wind speeds reaching 205 kilometers per hour.
According to a BBC report citing the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), 'Milton,' classified as an extremely dangerous Category 3 hurricane, made landfall, causing massive waves that pose a life-threatening risk.
The hurricane center has also issued flash flood warnings for the Central Florida peninsula. NHC experts say the cyclone is moving northeast at a speed of 15 miles per hour, but there remains a significant threat to life, with warnings of flooding. The destructive storm could cause storm surges of up to 10 feet or more over a wide area.
Several regions have already experienced landslides due to the hurricane, though the extent of damage is yet to be reported.
The cyclone has weakened from a Category 5 to Category 3 after two downgrades, but there are still concerns about severe casualties and damage. Residents in high-risk areas have been urged to seek shelter in safe locations.
The National Hurricane Center had predicted that the storm would make landfall late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning local time. Before 'Milton' hit, a tornado had already struck Florida, accompanied by heavy rainfall.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that dozens of shelters have been prepared across the state to protect residents from this massive storm, providing safe havens for those in danger.
US Lawmakers Urge Biden to Secure Release of Americans Detained in China
In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged: the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens abroad, particularly in China. More Americans are currently detained under dubious circumstances in China than in any other country, a situation that has escalated tensions between Washington and Beijing. These detentions not only endanger the lives of those imprisoned but also highlight the broader geopolitical rift between the two nations.
On October 3, the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) sent a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to prioritize the release of Americans wrongfully detained in China. The letter, authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), underscored the gravity of the situation: “There are more Americans wrongfully detained in China than in any other country,” the lawmakers wrote. These detentions, they noted, often involve due process violations, and prisoners frequently endure harsh conditions leading to serious health complications.
One recent case was the release of David Lin, an American pastor detained in China for nearly two decades. His release has drawn attention to others still imprisoned, including Kai Li, Mark Swidan, Nelson Wells Jr., and Dawn Michelle Hunt. Smith and Merkley urged Biden to make their release a “top priority” in any future discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The lawmakers also called for greater U.S. government support for the families of detainees, urging Biden to meet with them personally and instruct U.S. consular officials to increase visits to the prisoners to ensure they have access to legal representation and proper healthcare. They emphasized the deteriorating health of some detainees, like Wells and Hunt, whose conditions are life-threatening.
During a CECC hearing on September 18, the families of the detainees shared their harrowing experiences. Harrison Li, the son of Kai Li, highlighted the urgency of the situation, warning that the “next few months before President Biden leaves office is a critical window” for securing their release. His father, imprisoned since 2016 on politically motivated espionage charges, has suffered significant health issues during his confinement.
Similarly, Mark Swidan, a Texas businessman, has been wrongfully detained in China since 2012 on drug-related charges. Despite a lack of evidence, he was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve in 2019. Swidan’s mother, Katherine, has expressed deep concern for her son’s health and urged U.S. leaders to act swiftly.
In addition to wrongful detentions, the use of “exit bans” by Chinese authorities has further complicated matters. These bans prevent U.S. citizens from leaving the country and are often used to pressure individuals or settle economic disputes. The CECC letter condemned this tactic as a form of “hostage-taking” and called for its immediate end.
As geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China continue to escalate, the wrongful detention of Americans has become a major diplomatic challenge. Lawmakers and human rights advocates are pushing for bold action, recognizing the critical need to protect U.S. citizens and secure their release from unjust imprisonment.
Boeing to Cut 17,000 Jobs, Delays First 777X Delivery
US aerospace company, Boeing announced Friday that it plans to cut 17,000 jobs, or 10% of its global workforce, as it forecasts a significant loss for the third quarter following a machinists' strike in the Seattle area.
Boeing workers affiliated with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers walked off the job on September 13 after overwhelmingly rejecting a contract offer. The strike, involving 33,000 workers, halted production of Boeing 737 MAX, 767, and 777 planes.
The company needs to "reset our workforce to align with our financial reality," Chief Executive David Calhoun said, adding that the cuts "will include executives, managers, and employees."
In a separate release, Boeing, which reports third-quarter earnings on October 23, said it now expects revenue of $17.8 billion (€16.3 billion), a loss per share of $9.97, and negative operating cash flow of $1.3 billion.
Delay in Delivery of the 777X
Calhoun also said Boeing has informed customers that the company now expects the first delivery of the 777X in 2026, instead of 2025. The delay is due to challenges Boeing has faced in development, as well as the flight test pause and ongoing strike.
Boeing has already faced certification issues with the 777X that have significantly delayed the airplane's launch.
Reaching an agreement to end the strike is critical for Boeing. Ratings agency S&P estimates the strike is costing the company $1 billion a month and puts it at risk of losing its prized investment-grade credit rating.
Even before the strike began on September 13, the company had been burning cash as it struggled to recover from a mid-air panel blowout on a new plane in January that exposed weak safety protocols and prompted US regulators to curb production.
Harris, Trump Deploy Celebrity Power in Must-win States
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will roll out starkly contrasting celebrity back-up this weekend in Pennsylvania and Michigan -– among the most prized of the battleground states set to decide the tightest of US presidential races.
Pop star Lizzo will throw multi-Grammy award winning glitter behind the vice president's campaign in Detroit, while the world's richest man Elon Musk is to stump for Trump in Pennsylvania.
Harris will also be joined by R&B star Usher at a get-out-the-vote rally in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday.
Both candidates are fighting on every front to seal up voters' support in a race that polls suggest is effectively tied with fewer than three weeks to Election Day.
Musk, who endorsed Trump in July, is one of President Joe Biden administration's fiercest critics and has emerged as a loud voice in US politics since taking over Twitter, now known as X.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has taken an increasingly visible role in Trump's campaign and has donated almost $75 million to his political organization America PAC.
Harris has deployed high-wattage surrogates, from ex-president Barack Obama to Megan Thee Stallion since replacing Biden as the Democratic nominee in July.
Early voting underway
Seeking to shift the polls in a desperately tight White House race, Harris has ramped up attacks on the mental fitness of the 78-year-old, who is the oldest presidential candidate in US history.
She questioned his ability to be president after Trump faced speculation that he is "exhausted" after backing out of a spate of interviews.
Politico reported that a Trump aide had told producers at a website negotiating an interview that the ex-president was "exhausted" and refusing some appearances -- a claim described by his campaign as "detached from reality."
Beyond the accusations, both candidates are spending their final campaign days in pivotal battleground states where early voting is already underway.
With less than three weeks to go, Harris has seen encouraging signs in her push for supporters to vote as soon as possible, as a bulwark against the traditional Republican edge among Election Day voters.
Almost 12 million votes had been cast by Friday evening -- around a third of them in the seven swing states expected to decide the election -- according to data tracked by the University of Florida Election Lab.
Georgia has been smashing records, while North Carolina reported a first day of voting Thursday that beat 2020, when there was a pandemic-linked surge in early ballots.
Where party breakdowns were available, registered Democrats accounted for roughly half of the total, while Republicans -- who have spent much of the Trump era casting aspersions over drop boxes and mailed ballots -- were responsible for around a third.
Blinken in Middle East Again, Seeks Gaza Ceasefire
Following the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the United States has initiated efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza once again. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already begun his journey to the Middle East. This marks his 11th visit to the region since the start of the conflict in Gaza. These details were reported by Al Jazeera on Monday (October 21).
In a statement from the State Department, it was mentioned that during this visit, Blinken will discuss the importance of ending the war and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people with regional leaders.
He will continue discussions on post-conflict planning and emphasize the need to create a path for Palestinians to rebuild their lives.
Additionally, the State Department indicated that he would discuss how to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Blinken will also address the issue of humanitarian aid in Gaza. Previously, top U.S. officials warned that military assistance to Israel would be halted if relief aid to Gaza was not increased.
It has not been disclosed where else Blinken will go aside from Israel.
US Election: / Campaigning in Key Swing States; Trump Faces New Lawsuit
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both campaigned in battleground states on Monday, with barely two weeks remaining until elections in the US.
Harris toured a trio of crucial swing states with Liz Cheney, the eldest daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, two of the highest-profile Republicans to publicly endorse her, seeking support from moderate Republican-leaning voters.
Trump was able to win Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin in his 2016 election victory against Hillary Clinton, but he lost all three states to Joe Biden in 2020. Holding them again on November 5 would all but seal victory for Democratic candidate Harris.
What did Harris and Cheney say?
During one of her three "town hall" events with Cheney, moderated by a conservative radio host, in Malvern, Pennsylvania, Harris returned to her recent attack line of questioning Trump's mental stability and suitability for office.
"In many, many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of him being president of the United States are brutally serious," Harris told the audience. She also said that Trump "has been manipulated and is so clearly able to be manipulated by favor and flattery, including by dictators and autocrats."
Harris said if Trump were to win next month, Ukraine would likely fall to Russia. Foreign policy is one area where Cheney often criticizes Trump. Cheney, meanwhile, said during the event in Royal Oak, Michigan that she had spoken to several Republicans with concerns about Trump who had also said "I can't be public" in those opinions. But she voiced confidence that "they'll do the right thing."
"And I would just remind people, if you're at all concerned, you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody," Cheney said.
Trump dismisses 'war hawk' Cheney, criticizes hurricane response again
Trump downplayed Cheney's appearances in comments online on Monday, calling her a "war hawk." He accused Cheney, best known for her father's role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq during the George W. Bush administration, of wanting to go to war with "every Muslim country known to mankind" like her father, who he described as "the man that ridiculously pushed Bush to go to war in the Middle East."
Trump made three stops in North Carolina — usually a fairly safe state for Republicans, but an increasingly competitive one which Barack Obama was able to claim in his 2008 landslide — as it continues to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
He again criticized the federal government's response to the storms, even after his earlier criticisms prompted rebukes from North Carolina Republicans like Chuck Edwards, who was sharing the stage with Trump as he made the renewed claims on Monday.
Asked if his criticisms were helpful, after Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees complained of harassment by local militias impeding their work, Trump said he believed "you have to let people know how they're doing."
"If they were doing a great job, I think we should say that, too, because I think they should be rewarded," he said. "If they're doing a poor job, we're supposed to not say it?"
'Central Park Five' announce defamation lawsuit over Trump debate comments
Meanwhile, in Trump's New York base, the five Black and Hispanic teenagers wrongfully convicted of a 1989 rape and murder of a jogger in Central Park said they were suing Trump over statements he made at last month's presidential debate.
Known broadly as the "Central Park Five," the men spent between five and 13 years in prison before they were cleared in 2002 based on new DNA evidence and the confession of another person.
Trump falsely said during the debate that the men had killed a person and pleaded guilty. The young men confessed early in the investigation. They soon said they had done so under duress and pleaded not guilty at trial, though they were convicted.
A spokesman for the Trump campaign dismissed the defamation lawsuit as "just another frivolous, election interference lawsuit, filed by desperate left-wing activists."
One of the plaintiff's lawyers denied a political motivation and said the men were seeking compensation for renewed damage to their reputations and for Trump intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
Trump had been vocal on the killing at the time, taking out a full-page newspaper advert calling for the death penalty's reintroduction in New York. In 2019, when challenged on the issue, he refused to apologize or revise comments made about the group prior to their exoneration.
Harris Says US Ready for Woman President
Kamala Harris said Tuesday that America is "absolutely" ready to elect its first woman president but downplayed her historic bid, saying she simply wants to turn the page for a nation "exhausted" by Donald Trump.
With two weeks to Election Day, Harris and Trump are saturating swing states with rallies and taking to the airwaves and podcasts on the hunt for an advantage in a race that polls suggest is effectively tied.
Speaking on the national NBC network, Harris responded "absolutely" when asked if America was ready to elect its first woman -- but also noted her candidacy was about "turning the page."
"People are exhausted with Donald Trump and his approach, because it's all about himself," she said.
Trump, speaking to supporters in North Carolina, pitched a very different message.
"This election is a choice between whether we will have four more years of incompetence, failure and disaster, or whether we'll begin the four greatest years in the history of our country," he said to cheers.
He repeatedly called Harris and her running mate Tim Walz stupid during the rally.
'Lock him up'
The race is overshadowed by extraordinary tensions and fears of violence or a refusal by Trump to recognize the results if he loses, as he continues to do over his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.
Harris told NBC that her campaign was "of course" ready for a scenario where Trump prematurely claims victory during a vote-counting process that could take days to complete.
Biden, who has been an infrequent presence in Harris's campaign, took a shot at Trump Tuesday by re-wording the ex-president's notorious anti-Hillary Clinton chant of "Lock her up".
On a visit to New Hampshire, Biden told a small crowd that "we got to lock" Trump up –- adding quickly, "politically lock him up."
With Trump facing multiple pending criminal charges as he competes against Harris to succeed Biden, the White House has been very careful not to weigh in on the Republican's legal problems.
The Trump campaign responded that Biden and Harris had a "plan all along... to politically persecute their opponent."
About 18 million Americans have already voted by mail or in person -- representing more than 10 percent of the total in 2020.
Some polls appear to be giving the Republican, who at 78 is the oldest nominee from a major party in US history, a slight edge recently -- but all within the margin of error.
Whatever the result, US voters will make history on November 5: they will either elect the country's first woman president, or they will put the first convicted felon into the White House.
Early voters
Harris, 60, is also deploying two of her party's most popular emissaries onto the campaign trail: Barack and Michelle Obama.
The former president, speaking at a rally in Madison on Tuesday, rolled back the years with fiery attacks on Trump.
"Don't boo, vote!" he implored people after his jibes.
Laster in the day, Rapper Eminem upped the star factor when he introduced Obama at a major Harris campaign event in Detroit, drawing a rapped reply from the ex-president.
"I don't usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kinda way following Eminem," Obama said before launching into a recitation of the lyrics to the rapper's hit "Lose Yourself".
At the same time, Trump has increasingly repeated conspiracy theories on the campaign trail, often taking aim at migrants and his political opponents.
While speaking to Latino leaders Tuesday in Florida he said: "As president, you have tremendous — it's called extreme power. You have extreme power."
"You can, just by the fact, you say, 'Close the border,' and the border's closed," he added.
The Harris campaign has begun to hammer at his mental and physical fitness to occupy the Oval Office while trying to woo moderate Republican voters.
One of Trump's top aides as president, former Marine general John Kelly, confirmed Tuesday to The New York Times previous reports that he considered the Republican to be a fascist.
"Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he's certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators -- he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure."
Joe Rogan, host of one of the most listened to podcasts in America, said his interview with Trump is due out Friday.
Non-traditional media, including podcasts, have played a key role in the campaign in targeting specific audiences like young women and Black men.
