Oct 28, 2024
Welcome back to The Daily Aviation for a feature on a special military organization responsible for the development of robots and autonomous systems.

US Army Testing Brand New Scary Robot Dogs for Combat Operations

Here are nine foods that skin specialists recommend to support collagen production, improve hydration, and maintain a youthful glow:

Blueberries
Rich in antioxidants, blueberries help protect skin from environmental damage, promote collagen synthesis, and reduce inflammation, which is linked to conditions like acne and eczema. The vitamin A and C content in blueberries is especially beneficial for skin health.

Egg Whites
Egg whites provide collagen and essential amino acids, supporting skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles. Dermatologists suggest consuming up to seven eggs a week, as they provide protein without harming heart health. Some prefer eating only the whites for protein benefits without the cholesterol.

Avocados
High in vitamin E and healthy fats, avocados protect against aging and sun damage while also making skin appear more youthful. Experts suggest enjoying half to a whole avocado daily for skin benefits or using avocado oil for both cooking and skincare.

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are loaded with lycopene and vitamin C, which can protect skin from UV damage and boost collagen production. Their easy addition to daily meals makes them a versatile choice for a skin-healthy diet.

Fatty Fish
Salmon and other fatty fish are packed with collagen-boosting amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin elasticity and hydration. Fish skin is particularly rich in collagen, while the omega-3s help reduce inflammation and support overall skin health.

Spinach
Spinach contains an array of vitamins and minerals, including A, C, E, and K, all of which contribute to skin’s hydration, elasticity, and vibrancy.

Sweet Potatoes
With high levels of beta carotene that convert to vitamin A, sweet potatoes help support collagen production and protect skin from sun damage, maintaining an even tone and smooth texture.

Almonds
Almonds are rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, which boost skin’s hydration and elasticity. Experts recommend a handful of almonds each day to benefit both skin and general health.

Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are high in vitamin C, essential for collagen production and protection against skin-damaging free radicals. Adding citrus to your diet can reduce fine lines and enhance skin’s texture over time.

Including these foods in your daily routine can help support collagen levels, improve skin hydration, and protect against environmental damage, all contributing to a healthy, youthful complexion.

Vietnam's ambitious high-speed railway project, designed to serve the primary long-distance route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, is spurring discussions about potential extensions to Lang Son in the north and Ca Mau in the south. Spanning 1,541 kilometers and crossing 20 localities, the line is a major infrastructure undertaking. However, the TEDI-TRICC-TEDI SOUTH consortium responsible for the project argues that high-speed rail’s high cost and capacity requirements mean it’s most suitable for longer routes, with planned speeds of 250 kph or more.

A 2021 railway network planning scheme endorsed by the Prime Minister already outlines alternative lines for Lang Son and Ca Mau. This includes a Lang Son-Hanoi line in the north and an HCMC-Can Tho line in the south, in areas where waterways and existing transportation infrastructures reduce the need for additional high-speed rail. Southern Vietnam’s well-developed waterways and the ongoing North-South expressway from Can Tho to Ca Mau are expected to fulfill regional transportation needs effectively.

The design also deliberately bypasses northeastern provinces like Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. The consortium notes that short-haul demand from these regions to Hanoi, usually under 200 kilometers, is more efficiently met by conventional trains and roads.

To address connectivity in these areas, plans include the development of the Hanoi-Hai Phong line by 2030 and a Nam Dinh-Thai Binh-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh coastal line by 2050, both of which will integrate with the high-speed railway. By 2030, the national network will add nine new railways covering 2,362 kilometers, expanding to 25 lines totaling 6,354 kilometers by 2050. This comprehensive expansion will bolster Vietnam’s railway capacity, serving both long-haul and regional travel needs across the country.

Severe flooding from Tropical Storm Trami has led to the closure of schools and kept approximately 100,000 students home in the Vietnamese provinces of Quang Binh and Quang Tri. After days of heavy rainfall, waters have submerged numerous areas, making travel and safety a concern. Duong Hoai Phuong, head of the Education Department in Quang Binh, confirmed that all students in Le Thuy and Quang Ninh districts have been told to stay home, with other flood-impacted areas like Dong Hoi City following suit.

In neighboring Quang Tri, four high schools—including Vinh Linh and Cua Tung—three schools in Dong Ha City, and all schools in Vinh Linh District suspended classes as well. Floodwaters have left some schools under one to two meters of water, impacting nearly 15,000 homes across Le Thuy, Quang Ninh, and Dong Hoi City.

Trami, which made landfall between Thua Thien-Hue and Da Nang with winds up to 88 kph, has resulted in three fatalities and one missing person. Rainfall has exceeded 500 mm in some areas, with forecasted rains expected to continue at 150-250 mm over Monday and Tuesday, and up to 400 mm in areas from southern Ha Tinh to Thua Thien-Hue. Flooding is predicted to persist in Quang Binh as water levels on the Kien Giang River recede gradually.

Actor Timothée Chalamet made a surprise appearance at a look-alike contest held in Lower Manhattan, where fans and Chalamet doubles gathered, only to be met by police intervention and at least one arrest. The event, organized by YouTube personality Anthony Po, attracted hundreds of people to Washington Square Park, where eager fans dressed as Chalamet’s characters, including Wonka and Paul Atreides from Dune. Chalamet posed briefly with his look-alikes before the police ordered the group to disperse, citing a lack of permit for the costume contest and issuing a $500 fine to organizers.

The police detained at least one participant, though details on charges were not immediately available. Paige Nguyen, one of the event's producers, remarked on the unexpected chaos, which had started out as a lighthearted gathering but quickly escalated with the crowd.

Despite the disruption, the contest resumed nearby in a playground, where fans gathered to cheer on contestants. Attendees were assessed on their resemblance to Chalamet, from his distinctive bone structure to his fashion sense, and judges asked contestants quirky questions about their French skills, philanthropic plans, and thoughts on Chalamet’s rumored romance with Kylie Jenner.

Ultimately, 21-year-old Miles Mitchell from Staten Island, dressed in a purple Willy Wonka costume, was crowned the winner. He accepted a giant novelty check and posed for photos with fans who lined up to congratulate the “Best Tim.” Reflecting on the experience, Mitchell expressed both excitement and surprise, saying, "There were so many good look-alikes. It was really a toss-up."

The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, announced on Friday that it will not endorse either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. CEO William Lewis said the decision was a "return to our roots of not endorsing presidential candidates." This marks a significant shift, as the newspaper has endorsed Democratic candidates in every election for nearly four decades. The decision reflects The Post’s stance in one of the most polarizing elections in U.S. history.

Despite the diminished influence of editorial endorsements, The Washington Post's choice is noteworthy due to the paper’s lasting impact among Washington insiders, coupled with its slogan, "Democracy dies in darkness." Trump’s campaign responded immediately, asserting that Harris’s candidacy was so weak it prompted The Post to renounce endorsements altogether.

The Washington Post Guild, representing unionized staff, expressed "deep concern," noting subscription cancellations from formerly loyal readers. Reportedly, editor-at-large Robert Kagan resigned in protest over the decision. This move follows a similar stance by the Los Angeles Times, where owner Patrick Soon-Shiong allegedly blocked an endorsement for Harris, leading editorial editor Mariel Garza to resign.

Although Bezos is rumored to have blocked The Post's editorial board from endorsing Harris, sources close to the leadership have disputed this. In contrast, The New York Times endorsed Harris in September, calling her "the only patriotic choice for president" while criticizing Trump as unfit for office. Similarly, The Philadelphia Inquirer, a major paper in Pennsylvania, endorsed Harris, describing the election as “an easy but tectonic choice.” The New York Post, owned by Rupert Murdoch, endorsed Trump, calling him “today’s heroic leader.”

In a statement, Lewis emphasized The Post’s dedication to nonpartisan news and informed, thought-provoking opinions. Former executive editor Marty Baron criticized the decision, calling it "cowardice" that could harm democratic principles and embolden Trump’s influence over Bezos.

This shift highlights the complex dynamics at play as major U.S. media outlets weigh their role in a highly divided election season.

Israel has announced the launch date of a £413m laser interceptor known as Iron Beam that downs rockets and drones with light.

The system is set to be operational in a year's time and will protect the country from different types of weapons sent through the air.

Read more:
Israel announces launch of £413m LASER interceptor the ‘Iron Beam’ that downs terror rockets & drones with beam of light
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3134519...

Watch video clip
Israeli strikes left Iran "blind", says expert as IDF unveils "Iron Beam" laser defense system

Attachment 2444581

Officials in a Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on Friday said an investigation has been started after election workers found about 2,500 suspected fraudulent voter applications.

By Jon Jackson


"Board of Elections staff members identified and contained incidents of voter registration fraud," the Lancaster County Elections Board said in a news release. "Elections staff and the district attorney's office are currently assessing the nature and the volume of fraud."

During a Friday press conference, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said the suspected fraudulent voter registrations appear to be linked to paid canvassing, though she did not provide information on who is believed to have funded the canvassers.

"It appears to be an organized effort," Adams said, according to LancasterOnline.

Officials said a large number of suspicious voter registration applications were received at the county elections office close to the deadline on Monday. A probe by Adams' office found incorrect addresses and false identification information, LancasterOnline reported

Where Did the Applications Come From?

"The majority of the applications were from residents in the city of Lancaster," Adams said at the conference, according to PoliticsPA.com. "However, applications were also received from residents in Columbia, Elizabethtown, Mount Joy, Stevens, Strasburg, as well as other locations across Lancaster County."

Adams noted that some of the applications submitted by the groups were found to be legitimate.


What Is Lancaster County's Voter Registration?

The Pennsylvania county saw record registration hit a record last month ahead of November's election.

In late September, the county reached 357,000 registered voters, surpassing the previous record set in 2020 of 354,000, according to local NBC-affiliated station WGAL. Of the 357,000 registered voters, 181,902 were Republican, compared to 113, 336 Democrats.

"It's kind of hard not to know that there's an election coming up. There's a lot of energy, a lot of attention being paid to Pennsylvania, and I think that's filtering down to individuals who want to be a part of that process," Lancaster County Elections Board Chair Ray D'Agostino told WGAL in September.

How Important Is Pennsylvania in the Election?

Pennsylvania is considered a crucial swing state in the November 5 presidential election, and both Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and former President Donald Trump, the GOP presidential nominee, have made multiple appearances there in recent weeks in hopes of gaining the state's 19 Electoral College votes.

An Emerson College Polling/RCPA Pennsylvania survey released on Thursday, which was conducted between October 21-22 among 860 likely voters in the swing state, showed Trump with 49 percent of voter support in Pennsylvania versus Harris' 48 percent, while 3 percent remained undecided. The poll's margin of error was plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

A major jurisdiction in the swing state of Pennsylvania is under scrutiny after election officials uncovered 2,500 fraudulent voter registration forms. These forms were submitted to the Board of Elections in two separate batches as the registration deadline approached. County officials held a press conference on Friday to announce the initiation of a thorough investigation. Ray DiAgostino, vice chairman of the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners and chairman of the Board of Elections, confirmed the findings.

“As we’ve said throughout this election cycle and years prior, Lancaster County conducts elections with integrity, veracity, and transparency,” DiAgostino said. “It is our duty to ensure voters can feel confident in the process.” Lancaster County plays a crucial role in Pennsylvania’s electoral landscape, which is a vital battleground in national elections. As one of the largest counties in Pennsylvania by population, Lancaster has consistently been a Republican stronghold, providing significant margins for GOP candidates.

The elections office’s regular review process flagged suspicious registrations. DiAgostino explained that this process identified potential voter registration fraud involving two separate batches submitted by individuals that contained irregularities. “It is through their diligence that our staff uncovered apparent incidents of attempted voter registration fraud here in Lancaster County. In the staff’s normal review process, as many as 2,500 completed voter registration forms are being researched for potential fraud stemming from two separate drop batches by individuals,” DiAgostino said.

The Elections Board chairman outlined the steps being taken to verify the authenticity of the forms. This multi-step review includes comparing handwriting, checking signatures against existing records, and verifying addresses, driver’s licenses, and social security numbers. “Some of these or many of them are unverifiable and or inaccurate addresses, inaccurate driver’s license or social security number of verification. We have an obligation under the election code not only that but a moral obligation to investigate any matters of potential fraud.” The investigation aims to determine whether further legal action is warranted.

DiAgostino emphasized that the investigation would not hinder eligible voters from participating in the upcoming elections.“No eligible voter will be turned away,” he assured. He also stated that the Pennsylvania Department of State and the Attorney General’s Office were informed about the situation. The official concluded the press conference by reiterating Lancaster County’s commitment to election integrity. “We will continue to conduct elections with the principles of integrity, veracity, and transparency.” The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details have been provided about potential suspects or the origins of the fraudulent forms.

Attachment 2443672


Vice President Kamala Harris has not proposed raising Social Security taxes for older Americans. Rather, she has proposed lifting the payroll income tax cap beyond which the government stops taxing workers.

The people who would pay higher taxes under Harris’ proposal are neither older nor struggling. They’re workers who benefit from the current cap that applies only to higher-income taxpayers.

Harris said in 2019 that she would like to see immigrants in the U.S. illegally qualify for universal health coverage. She has not repeated that since becoming the vice president or the presidential nominee.

By Louis Jacobson

One of former President Donald Trump’s closing ads in the 2024 presidential race accuses Vice President Kamala Harris of wanting to raise taxes on older Americans while giving Social Security and Medicare benefits to immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

Harris "wants struggling seniors to pay more Social Security taxes while she gives Medicare and Social Security to illegals," the narrator says in the ad, released Oct. 17.

The ad is inaccurate. Harris has not proposed raising Social Security taxes for older Americans; she has proposed lifting the income cap beyond which the government stops taxing workers.

Harris has not proposed raising taxes on "struggling seniors"

In a statement to PolitiFact, the Trump campaign cited the Harris campaign’s support for eliminating the payroll tax cap.

But as support for the ad’s claim, this is nonsensical.

Harris proposes eliminating the payroll tax income cutoff beyond which the government stops taxing workers. Payroll tax revenues are earmarked to support Social Security and Medicare. For 2024, any payroll income higher than $168,600 is not taxed; this threshold is set to rise in future years depending on inflation.

Under the current policy, wealthier taxpayers get a break on payroll taxes, while taxpayers with low or moderate incomes pay full freight. Harris proposes to change this by imposing payroll taxes above the current income threshold.

Although the ad says Harris "wants struggling seniors to pay more Social Security taxes," the people who would pay more under Harris’ proposal would be neither older Americans nor struggling. They’re working-age taxpayers who earn at least $168,600. For comparison, the median annual pay for a full-time U.S. worker is $60,580.

In the ad, the text on screen cites a different piece of evidence. The ad cites a February 2024 USA Today article and shows a portion of the article’s headline that says, "Social Security 2025 COLA seen falling, leaving seniors struggling and paying more tax." (COLA stands for cost-of-living adjustment.)

But this doesn’t support the ad’s claim, either.

The USA Today article reported that an independent advocacy group, the Senior Citizens League, was projecting that the annual cost of living adjustment for Social Security benefits — an adjustment required under law to allow beneficiaries’ incomes to keep pace with inflation — would be 1.75% in 2024, well below what the group predicted inflation would be.

But the Senior Citizens League was making a prediction — that proved to be wrong. The Social Security Administration subsequently announced a 2.5% cost of living increase, which is roughly in line with current year-over-year inflation of 2.4%.

The cost-of-living increase argument "isn’t evidence that Harris wants seniors to pay more in tax on Social Security benefits," said Garrett Watson, senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, a center-right think tank.

It’s possible to argue that Trump’s promise to end taxation of Social Security benefits means that Social Security beneficiaries would pay more in taxes under Harris than they would under Trump, Watson said.

But he added that the ad didn’t say that. "The claim itself implies Harris supports higher tax rates on those benefits than under current law, which isn’t accurate," Watson said.

Does Harris support giving Medicare and Social Security to immigrants in the country illegally?

Immigrants in the U.S. illegally currently aren't eligible for Social Security and Medicare. And Harris hasn’t proposed changing that during this campaign.

The Trump campaign pointed us to comments from Harris’ 2019 presidential campaign, in which she expressed a willingness to include immigrants in the U.S. illegally to qualify for universal health care.

Since she’s been vice president and the presidential nominee, Harris hasn’t expressed similar views.

Harris has spoken about a pathway to citizenship that would enable at least some people in the U.S. illegally to qualify for Medicare and Social Security eventually, but it would take years. Harris hasn’t detailed a pathway to citizenship plan.

People who are legally allowed to work in the U.S. can receive Social Security retirement benefits, but only after they’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes for 10 years.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attachment 2443664

Less than two weeks from Election Day, posts circulating on social media claim that Michigan has 500,000 more registered voters than it has people eligible to vote, a point used to suggest possible fraud in the system. But the claim misrepresents Michigan’s voter registration data, adding inactive voters to the total of those registered to make it appear there is an issue in the crucial swing state.

By MELISSA GOLDIN

Here’s a closer look at the facts.

CLAIM: Michigan has 500,000 more registered voters than people eligible to vote, which creates the potential for widespread fraud.

THE FACTS: This is missing context. While the state does have more total voter registrations than eligible voters, that number includes voters who are inactive but cannot yet be removed from voter rolls under federal and state laws. The number of active voters is far less than those who are eligible to vote, and experts say there is no reason to believe that widespread fraud will result.

Still, numerous social media users have suggested these numbers are proof that Michigan is trying to cheat in the 2024 election. Among them is billionaire X owner Elon Musk, who has committed at least $70 million in support of former President Donald Trump.

“Jocelyn Michelle Benson, shame on you for blatantly lying to the public!” Musk wrote in an X post directed at Michigan’s secretary of state. “You only plan to remove ineligible voters AFTER this election. That necessarily means that there are far more people registered to vote than there eligible voters.”

The post had been liked and shared approximately 218,400 times as of Tuesday.

Benson responded on X, stating: “Let’s be clear: @elonmusk is spreading dangerous disinformation. Here are the facts: There aren’t more voters than citizens in Michigan. There are 7.2 million active registered voters and 7.9 citizens of voting age in our state. Musk is pushing a misleading number that includes 1.2 million inactive records slated for removal in accordance with the law.”

Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.

There were approximately 7.9 million people of voting age in Michigan as of July 1, 2023. This figure is 500,000 fewer than the total registered voters — approximately 8.4 million.But that’s because the total registered voters include 1.2 million voters who are inactive. Those labeled inactive have not voted for six consecutive years or have not responded to a notice confirming their residency. Inactive voters are still eligible to vote.

Under state and federal law, voters are only removed from voter rolls after they have been sent a notice that their registration is subject to cancellation and two subsequent federal election cycles have passed without any response or voting activity. Voter registration cannot be canceled only because of a failure to vote.

This waiting period is why there are more total registered voters than eligible ones in the state.

More than 339,000 voter registrations are slated for cancellation in 2025 and more than 257,000 in 2027. As of March 2024, Michigan had canceled more than 800,000 voter registrations since 2019, including 273,609 for possible changes of residency, 532,513 for deaths and 16,716 at the request of the voter, according to its Department of State.

The Republican National Committee and two individual voters filed a federal lawsuit in March against Benson and Michigan Bureau of Elections Director Jonathan Brater for allegedly failing to “maintain clean and accurate voter registration records.” The suit was dismissed on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering, who said the plaintiffs lacked legal standing and, regardless, did not state a plausible claim.

Michigan is hardly the only state with large numbers of inactive voters on its rolls. Every state — aside from the six which are exempt from the National Voter Registration Act — must send voters a cancellation notice and wait two federal election cycles before removing inactive voters.

The large numbers of inactive voters is a sign of robust list maintenance, according to David Becker, the founder and executive director of The Center for Election Innovation and Research, who served as a co-chair on Michigan’s Election Security Advisory Commission.

“You can only have a voter be inactive if you’re really engaged in list maintenance,” he said.

States use different methods to determine whether a voter may need to be listed as inactive. In Michigan, for instance, if a voter surrenders their Michigan driver’s license in another state, indicating that they’ve moved, the Michigan Department of State is notified. Election mail returned as undeliverable can also be a sign that a voter has a new residence or has died.

Election experts say it can be difficult for officials to keep track of voters who have moved out of state since there is no federal voter registration database. The Electronic Registration Information System, or ERIC, lets states share data that helps them keep accurate voter rolls and can identify potential illegal voting. But membership is voluntary — ERIC is currently made up of 24 states, including Michigan, and the District of Columbia.

It is unlikely that voters who are on voter rolls in more than one state will try to vote twice, experts say. Becker, who spearheaded ERIC’s development, said “double voting happens extremely rarely.” ERIC is among the safeguards that helps detect such fraud.

Christopher Thomas, who served as Michigan’s director of elections from 1981 to 2017, said that “most people would view voting twice as probably a pretty stiff felony” and therefore not worth the risk.

“Based on attempting to be a rational person and having been in the field for 50 years now and having never seen anybody prove any massive fraud in a presidential election in that time period, I think a rational person would conclude that it’s not going to be a present issue,” he said.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Attachment 2443658

Benedictine Sisters in Erie push back against quickly disproven GOP voter fraud claims

By Sean Kitchen


The Benedictine Sisters of Erie were compelled to issue a press release pushing back against voter fraud claims levied by a right-wing activist. PA Chase posted a false claim on X that was quickly disproven.

The PA Chase, a conservative door knocking organization, falsely accused a Benedictine Sisters convent in Erie of fraudulent voter claims.

The incident started when Cliff Maloney, the founder of PA Chase, posted false claims on X that they found an address linked to the Benedictine Sisters in Erie that had 53 registered voters but no residents living there.

The false claim went viral after Maloney posted in front of his 60,000 followers.

“We want to call Cliff Maloney to account for his blatantly false post that accuses our sisters of fraud. We do live at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery and a simple web search would alert him to our active presence in a number of ministries in Erie. We also want to alert those who subscribe to X and other social media platforms to be vigilant and seek additional information before accepting these posts as truth,” Sister Stephanie Schmidt, prioress said in a statement.

“A free republic depends on free and fair elections. It depends equally on a discerning and conscientious citizenry who do not unquestioningly accept the word of anyone who has a social media platform.”

The Benedictine Sisters of Erie issued a press release dispelling the false claims on Wednesday after being alerted to the social media post.

PA Chase is operated by the right-wing Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania, which lists Maloney as their CEO, and aims to knock on 500,000 doors and increase the Republican share of mail-in ballots from 20% to 33% in the upcoming election.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The very same FBI that denied the laptop from hell. Smoke and mirrors reflecting off of each other in a weaponized federal Big Gov mirror funhouse of BS, weaved webs of endless lies and misdirection. Look here. Not there.
BOMBSHELL: Iranian Hackers Broke Into State’s Voter Roll Database – Used Names, SS and Driver’s License #’s to Fill Out UOCAVA Registrations – Shared Video of Their Actions Online!



https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/202...roll-database/

Look at this. Trump called Kamala lazy yesterday and the media is saying he’s talking about black people…
…because the media thinks black people are lazy? He didn’t say anything about her race. The only ones equating laziness with black people are Democrats and the media.
Never forget who the real racists are.

Rescue teams in the Philippines waded through deep floodwaters on Wednesday to help residents trapped by Tropical Storm Trami, which has forced thousands of people to evacuate as it approaches the country's eastern coast. The storm's torrential rains have caused severe flooding, transforming streets into rivers, submerging entire villages, and burying cars in volcanic debris that has been loosened by the downpour.

In northern parts of the Philippines, at least 32,000 people had fled their homes, according to police reports, as the storm moved closer to Luzon, the country's main island. The Bicol region, located about 400 kilometers southeast of Manila, was particularly hard hit, with "unexpectedly high" floodwaters complicating rescue efforts, according to regional police spokeswoman Luisa Calubaquib. Rescue teams encountered difficulties entering some areas due to the strong currents and high water levels.

By 8:00 a.m. local time, the national weather agency reported that Trami's center was located 310 kilometers east of Aurora province, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour. Verified photos showed streets in the Bato municipality of Camarines Sur province submerged in muddy water, with only the rooftops of homes and small businesses still visible.

"It's getting dangerous. We're waiting for rescuers," said Karen Tabagan, a resident of the affected area. In Naga City, about 40 kilometers from Bato, half of the city's 600 villages were reported to be entirely flooded.

During an emergency meeting with government agencies, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos expressed concern, warning that "the worst is yet to come." He acknowledged the limitations of the response, saying, "All we can do is sit tight, wait, hope, and pray that there is not too much damage and no casualties."

Around 2,500 evacuation centers have been set up across the Bicol region to shelter the displaced families. In addition to the flooding, the Bicol region also experienced lahar flows—volcanic sediment and debris carried by water—coming from the Mayon volcano, further worsening the situation.

The Philippines is regularly hit by around 20 major storms and typhoons each year, which often lead to widespread destruction, displacement, and loss of life.

India's capital, New Delhi, was engulfed in thick, acrid clouds of pollution on Wednesday as air quality levels reached "hazardous" for the first time this winter. The severe pollution, driven by the combined effects of fireworks and large-scale farm stubble burning, has created a toxic smog that experts warn could result in thousands of premature deaths each year. Despite the grave health risks, commuters heading to work braved the poisonous air, with few choosing to wear masks for protection.

Each year, New Delhi faces an alarming spike in air pollution, with much of it attributed to the burning of agricultural stubble by farmers in neighboring states who are preparing their fields for the next planting season. The problem is expected to worsen significantly during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which falls on November 1 this year. Firework displays, a traditional part of the celebrations, further contribute to the city's already hazardous air quality by releasing toxic smoke.

Monitors recorded the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — tiny, cancer-causing particles that penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream — at levels more than 68 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommended safe limit. On Wednesday, the level of these pollutants reached 344 micrograms per cubic meter, according to data from IQAir, making New Delhi the most polluted city in the world at that time.

In an attempt to address the severe pollution, authorities in New Delhi implemented a complete ban on both the manufacture and sale of firecrackers this year, citing the urgent need to combat the city's high pollution levels. However, similar restrictions have been routinely ignored in the past, with enforcement proving difficult due to the deep religious significance attached to fireworks during Diwali celebrations.

Efforts to curb stubble burning have also been met with resistance. While police in Haryana state arrested several farmers this week for setting fires before tilling their land, widespread enforcement remains a challenge. The combined effect of stubble burning, fireworks, and general urban pollution continues to be a major health crisis in India. According to a study published in the Lancet medical journal, air pollution was responsible for 1.67 million premature deaths in India in 2019, highlighting the urgency of the country's ongoing struggle with hazardous air quality.

Tropical Storm Trami has caused significant disruptions across the Philippines, leading to the suspension of government operations and the closure of schools throughout the main island of Luzon. In response to the approaching storm, the Philippine central bank also halted foreign currency trading and monetary operations for the day, citing safety concerns. According to the latest bulletin from the state weather agency Pag-asa, Trami’s center was last tracked approximately 180 kilometers off the coast of Virac, a central town in Catanduanes province.

The storm is bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the possibility of storm surges, especially in coastal towns situated along its projected path. With sustained winds reaching 85 kilometers per hour (53 mph), local authorities have been evacuating residents from high-risk areas to ensure their safety as the storm intensifies.

The storm’s impact has led to widespread disruptions in daily activities across Luzon, including the suspension of public services. However, agencies that are essential for disaster response and other critical functions remain operational, ensuring that emergency services and vital assistance continue to be provided to affected areas. The government is closely monitoring the situation as Trami moves closer to land, emphasizing precautionary measures to minimize potential damage and protect lives.

With the U.S. presidential election nearing, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump campaigned in key battleground states over the weekend, targeting different voter bases with distinct messages. On Sunday, Harris visited two churches in Georgia, emphasizing unity and compassion, while Trump visited a McDonald's in Pennsylvania, engaging with supporters and challenging Harris's personal and political background.

Harris, the Democratic vice president, spoke to thousands at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia. She urged voters to choose leaders driven by "kindness and love" rather than division, warning against those who "spread hate" and "sow fear." Harris also highlighted the selflessness of responders to Hurricane Helene in Florida, framing her campaign as one of empathy and action. In an MSNBC interview, she responded to Trump’s recent criticisms, calling him out for his divisive rhetoric and stating, "The American people deserve so much better."

Meanwhile, Trump took a more casual approach, visiting a McDonald's in suburban Philadelphia, where he cooked and served fries while interacting with supporters. He used the event as an opportunity to mock Harris, questioning her claim that she worked at McDonald's during her college years. Trump’s visit to the fast-food chain was also seen as a jab at Harris's policies, particularly her support for wage increases and labor rights. Trump's playful antics at McDonald's contrasted with Harris’s church-centered outreach, symbolizing the differing styles of the two candidates.

Harris, celebrating her 60th birthday, continued her campaign in Georgia with a musical tribute from Stevie Wonder at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro. She addressed concerns about her support among Black men, expressing confidence in earning their votes by working to meet their expectations. Strong support from Black voters will be crucial for her success in states like Michigan and Georgia, key to the Democrats' 2020 victories.

Trump, who spoke at a rally in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, extended a somewhat sarcastic birthday wish to Harris while continuing to criticize her policies and raise doubts about her mental fitness. Both candidates are intensifying their efforts as they approach the November 5 election, vying for every vote in a closely contested race.

Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor, Josh Shapiro, has called for an investigation into Elon Musk’s recent $1 million daily giveaway at a pro-Trump rally, expressing concerns about the legality of Musk’s actions. Over the weekend, Musk, through his America PAC, began giving $1 million checks to individuals who sign a petition supporting the First and Second Amendments. The petition is part of Musk’s initiative to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

The giveaway occurred at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Musk handed a $1 million check to a random attendee. Musk has pledged to continue giving $1 million daily until Election Day, offering financial incentives to registered voters in key swing states, including Pennsylvania. The petition also promises $100 to registered voters in Pennsylvania who sign and refer others.

Shapiro described Musk’s actions as “deeply concerning,” particularly due to the legal issues that arise when money is used to influence voter registration or voting behavior. U.S. federal law prohibits offering monetary rewards or anything of value in exchange for votes or voter registration, and violations are punishable by imprisonment.

Musk’s America PAC has been instrumental in mobilizing voters in battleground states, but the legality of these financial giveaways is likely to be scrutinized in the coming days. Given Musk’s wealth and increasing political involvement, the situation is drawing significant attention, especially as Pennsylvania remains a crucial state for both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Truong My Lan, the former chairwoman of property developer Van Thinh Phat, will have her death sentence appeal heard by the People’s High Court of Ho Chi Minh City in a 20-day trial starting on November 4. Lan, who was sentenced to death in April for embezzling VND677 trillion (US$27 billion) from Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) over a decade, is seeking a reduced sentence along with 46 other defendants involved in crimes related to SCB and Van Thinh Phat.

Lan's crimes include bribery and violating banking regulations, as well as orchestrating a long-term scheme to use SCB as a "cash cow" for her illegal activities. To conceal her actions, she reportedly bribed State Bank of Vietnam auditors, including head banking inspector Do Thi Nhan, who received $5.2 million and was sentenced to life in prison.

Lan's husband, Eric Chu, was sentenced to nine years for assisting in the fraud, while her niece, Truong Hue Van, received 17 years. In a separate trial, Lan was also handed a life sentence for fraudulent asset appropriation through bond issuance, money laundering, and illegal cross-border money transfers.

The upcoming trial will involve 100 lawyers representing the defendants, with five specifically assigned to Lan.