** Top Slovak climber dies after rare Himalayan feat; experts stress importance of safety protocols in high-risk environments.
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** Dixville Notch, a small New Hampshire town, has voted at midnight since 1960, a tradition believed to have originated in the 1940s as a way for railway workers to cast their votes. The practice allows the town to announce its results first. Other towns, Hart's Location and Millsfield, normally vote at midnight but switched to daytime voting this year.
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**Parcel Fires in Europe Linked to Russian Intelligence Sabotage**
European authorities have investigated a series of parcel fires targeting courier companies, revealing alleged dry runs aimed at sabotaging flights to the US and Canada. Polish prosecutors suspect Russian intelligence was behind the incidents, which occurred in Poland, Germany, and the UK. A group is believed to have sent parcels containing hidden explosives via courier services, with one device catching fire on a DHL cargo plane.
The Indian rupee has hit a record low, reaching 84.1150 against the US dollar, amid foreign investment outflows from Indian stocks and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming US presidential election. Despite the RBI's interventions, the currency continues to face pressure, with the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices also experiencing significant declines. The global market's attention is now focused on the US election, with potential implications for both the US dollar and Indian markets.
The governors of Russia's Rostov and Tambov regions have announced their resignations, marking a shake-up in regional leadership. In a video message, Tambov region Governor Maksim Egorov cited new tasks at the federal level that need to be carried out. Rostov region Governor Vasily Golubev stepped down "due to a transfer to another job." Both governors have been replaced by acting officials appointed by President Vladimir Putin.
Attention all US voters! As you head to the polls on Election Day, make sure you know when polling stations close in your state. From 18:00 Eastern Standard Time (23:00 GMT) to 01:00 Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday, different states have varying cut-off times for voting. Check out this helpful guide to ensure your voice is heard.
As the US Election 2024 approaches, it's essential to separate fact from fiction. A recent viral video claims that mail-in ballots with votes for Trump are being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. However, federal officials have revealed that Russian actors manufactured and amplified the video.
In reality, election fraud is extremely unlikely due to strict laws and procedures in place. Even if a coordinated effort were attempted, it would require thousands of illegal votes and hundreds of people risking felonies.
In 2020, Trump initially led in some states before Biden took the lead as more ballots were counted. This shift is not uncommon, especially when local election officials update results over time.
It's crucial to recognize that legitimate vote counting takes time, and state laws dictate the process. Election officials are simply doing their jobs by processing mail-in ballots, which may take days or weeks to complete.
Zimbabwe's police force has been ordered to surrender their mobile phones while on duty, in a move aimed at reducing corruption. The ban comes after two traffic officers were arrested for taking bribes, and follows previous warnings that went unheeded.
A viral video featuring a Thai pygmy hippopotamus named Moo Deng has sparked interest in predicting the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election. The baby hippo was shown choosing between two watermelons with the names of Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump. According to the video, Moo Deng selected the watermelon with Trump's name on it, indicating a prediction of his victory. This unusual method has garnered attention online, with some experts backing up the prediction based on current polls and betting odds.
Former US President Donald Trump has concluded his final day of campaigning, denouncing Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris as a "disaster" and claiming that God saved him in order to save America. Trump made four stops in three different states, focusing on issues such as immigration and the economy. His campaign has focused on these topics since he announced his re-election bid in November 2022.
Boeing Strike Ends as Workers Accept New Contract Offer
The seven-week strike by Boeing's US West Coast factory workers has come to an end, with the union announcing a 59% vote in favor of the new contract. The agreement includes a 38% pay rise spread over four years and brings relief to both Boeing and its employees. The strike had halted most jet production, deepening a financial crisis at the company.
Russian Engineer Sentenced for Ukraine Spying: 16-Year Prison Term
A Russian engineer, Danil Mukhametov, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for high treason after being found guilty of sharing military information with Ukraine. The case is the latest in a series of espionage charges brought against individuals accused of opposing Russia's war in Ukraine.
As the US election nears, the perilous journey of migrants crossing the border has come into focus. The "prevention through deterrence" policy, implemented in the 1990s, aimed to deter people from crossing by funneling them into remote areas. While this approach failed to stop migration, it has led to a significant increase in migrant deaths. In Arizona's Pima County, the medical examiner reports an average of 170 deceased migrant remains per year since 2002, compared to less than 20 in the 1990s.
Volunteers with the group No More Deaths have been dropping water and supplies in the desert to help migrants survive their journey. They emphasize the harsh conditions faced by migrants, including extreme heat and scavenging animals.
The issue has sparked concern among humanitarian workers and advocates for immigrant rights. They point out that anti-immigrant sentiment has intensified in recent years, with some politicians labeling migrants as "tough people" or "killers."
A tragic incident in Texas highlights the complexities surrounding abortion laws and their impact on medical care. An 18-year-old died after experiencing pregnancy complications, reportedly due to the state's abortion ban. Medical experts say she would have survived with proper care.
Myanmar's military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has embarked on his first visit to China since seizing power in 2021. The trip aims to strengthen economic and multi-sectoral cooperation between the two countries. Min Aung Hlaing will attend three summits in Kunming, China, including a meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) grouping, which includes Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
A new addition has captured hearts on social media - a baby pygmy hippo named Haggis, born at Edinburgh Zoo. This endangered calf's arrival has sparked excitement and awareness about the species' conservation status. As zoo officials monitor her development, they note Haggis's personality is already shining through. While comparing her to viral sensation Moo Deng, experts emphasize the importance of highlighting pygmy hippos' rarity and vulnerability in the wild.
US intelligence agencies have issued a warning ahead of the presidential election, stating that foreign influence narratives will focus on swing states. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) jointly warned that Russia and Iran are conducting additional influence operations to undermine public confidence in the integrity of US elections.
The agencies encourage voters to seek out information from trusted sources, particularly state and local election officials. They also urge campaigns and election infrastructure stakeholders to report any suspicious activity to their local Election Crime Coordinators.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered a closing pitch at his final campaign rally, vowing to lead America to "new heights of glory" if elected. In his speech, Trump emphasized the need for change and promised to fix various problems facing the country.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-vows-to-lead-america-to-new-heights-of-glory-773396
As the US presidential election approaches, financial markets are grappling with uncertainty over inflation and bond yields. Economists warn that a Trump victory could lead to higher inflation and bond yields, negatively impacting fixed-income investments. The Federal Reserve's interest rate cuts have also contributed to volatility in the bond market. Meanwhile, analysts predict that regardless of the outcome, market uncertainty will likely subside in the months following the election.
A key official in Donald Trump's campaign, Luke Meyer, was fired from his job in Pennsylvania after it was revealed that he is a white nationalist. According to reports, Meyer used the alias Alberto Barbarossa online to share his views. The 24-year-old was the regional field director of Trump's campaign.