Donald Trump's return to the White House signals a significant shift for the cryptocurrency industry, sparking hopes of a revival after a prolonged "crypto winter." Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, surged by over 25% in a week, crossing the $90,000 mark for the first time, fueled by optimism surrounding Trump's pro-crypto promises.
A Shift in Stance
Though Trump previously expressed opposition to digital currencies, his campaign pledged to transform the United States into "the world capital of crypto." This dramatic shift garnered substantial financial and logistical support from the cryptocurrency sector, with crypto-affiliated groups spending approximately $245 million on elections, according to the Federal Election Commission.
The president-elect is reportedly seeking crypto-friendly individuals for key government roles, many of whom are associated with Elon Musk, a vocal advocate for digital currencies and a close ally of Trump.
Regulatory Overhaul
A central objective for Trump’s administration will be the removal of Gary Gensler, chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Gensler’s aggressive stance against cryptocurrencies, treating them as traditional securities, led to lawsuits against major platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.
Industry leaders argue that Gensler’s approach stifled innovation and drove companies to relocate offshore. Katherine Snow, legal head at Bitcoin applications developer Thesis, stated that the lack of regulatory clarity "hasn’t just dampened innovation—it’s driven companies offshore to countries with more transparent regulations."
The cryptocurrency industry is pinning its hopes on the FIT21 bill, which proposes shifting oversight from the SEC to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), known for its more lenient regulatory approach. Analysts suggest this could pave the way for new investment products and attract increased capital flow into the sector.
Policy and Market Prospects
Trump’s alignment with the crypto industry includes establishing national bitcoin reserves, potentially mainstreaming digital currencies further. The U.S. government currently holds around 210,000 bitcoins, valued at $18 billion, acquired through judicial seizures. Snow believes that stockpiling bitcoin would signal America’s commitment to innovation and position the nation as a global leader in the cryptocurrency space.
Trump's personal involvement adds weight to his commitment. In September, he and his sons launched World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency investment and lending platform, though critics raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the optimism, the crypto sector faces challenges in overcoming skepticism from traditional financial institutions and repairing its reputation after scandals like the collapse of FTX. Chandra Duggirala, CEO of Tides.Network, emphasized the need for stable collaboration with banks, expressing hope that the new administration will foster such partnerships.
With Trump’s victory, industry insiders are optimistic about leaving behind the perceived hostility of the Biden administration, creating an environment conducive to innovation and growth. If successful, these policies could redefine the global cryptocurrency landscape, positioning the U.S. as a leader in digital finance.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Friday that Karoline Leavitt, a 27-year-old campaign spokeswoman, will serve as his White House press secretary.
In a statement, Trump praised Leavitt, describing her as "smart, tough, and a highly effective communicator." He expressed confidence in her ability to excel at the podium and effectively deliver the administration's message to the American public.
Leavitt will be one of the youngest individuals to hold the position, acting as the public face of the White House and handling media inquiries.
During Trump’s campaign, Leavitt served as his national press secretary, a role she balanced with becoming a new mother. In July, she welcomed her first child, as she shared in a Fox News podcast.
Leavitt’s political career began as an assistant press secretary for Trump during his first term. She later worked as communications director for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whom Trump has nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
In 2022, Leavitt ran for a House of Representatives seat in her home state of New Hampshire but was unsuccessful.
Speaking about her background on the podcast, she shared, "I didn’t grow up in a political family. I grew up like most Americans in a middle-class business family here in my home state of New Hampshire." She credited her college experience at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, for sparking her interest in politics.
A thick blanket of toxic smog enveloped northern India on Monday, with air quality readings in New Delhi reaching their highest levels this year following a night of dense fog. The smog, a hazardous combination of smoke and fog, recurs every winter as cold air traps pollutants, including emissions, dust, and smoke from illegal farm fires in nearby states.
Visibility dropped to just 100 meters (109 yards) in both New Delhi and Chandigarh, a city northwest of the capital. Despite the poor visibility, authorities reported only minor delays in flights and trains.
The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital territory recorded a 24-hour reading of 484, categorized as "severe plus," marking the highest level this year. According to IQAir's live rankings, New Delhi ranked as the most polluted city in the world, with a "hazardous" air quality reading of 1,081. PM2.5 levels—a dangerous particulate matter that can penetrate the lungs and cause severe health issues—were reported to be 130.9 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.
Experts note that variations in AQI scores across countries arise from differences in the scales used to measure pollutant concentrations, meaning the same pollutant levels can yield different AQI results depending on the methodology.
In response, Delhi authorities ordered all schools to switch to online classes and tightened restrictions on construction and vehicle movement, citing stagnant meteorological conditions and low wind speeds.
Farm fires, a major contributor to the pollution, accounted for up to 40% of Delhi’s air quality degradation, according to SAFAR, a weather forecasting agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Satellite imagery detected 1,334 stubble-burning incidents across six states on Sunday, the highest in four days, as reported by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space.
Despite the hazardous conditions, many residents continued their routines. Iconic landmarks like the India Gate were shrouded in haze, barely visible.
“Morning walks usually feel good, but now the air is polluted, and we’re forced to wear a mask. There is a burning sensation in the eyes and slight difficulty in breathing,” said Akshay Pathak, a Delhi resident, to ANI news agency.
India’s weather department has forecast “dense to very dense fog” for northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, adding to the challenges of poor air quality.
A Vietnamese-Canadian man and his accomplice have been detained in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam, for allegedly attempting to scam a family out of VND1.7 billion (US$66,956) under the pretense of facilitating their immigration to Canada.
The suspects, Tang Ha Quoc Huy, 36, a Canadian citizen, and Pham Hai Duc, 34, were apprehended on Sunday after their fraudulent activities were reported.
According to local police, the pair approached a 40-year-old woman from Dong Thap through social media, offering assistance with Canadian immigration to alleviate her family’s financial difficulties. Trusting Huy due to his Canadian citizenship, the woman initially transferred VND350 million as part of the "immigration process."
Her suspicions were raised when Huy and Duc presented her with a photograph of a counterfeit passport and demanded an additional VND350 million. The woman realized something was amiss, as the passport was purportedly issued without her involvement. She reported the scam to authorities, who arrested the duo while they were attempting to collect the second payment.
During interrogation, Huy admitted that, while he holds Canadian citizenship, he has been unemployed and living in Vietnam for the past four years. He confessed that the scam was concocted with Duc to address his financial struggles.
The case highlights the risks of falling victim to immigration-related scams, even involving individuals claiming foreign citizenship.
Typhoon Man-yi has caused significant disruption as it moved from the Philippines into the East Sea, weakening from a super typhoon to a typhoon and is expected to become a tropical depression off Vietnam’s central coast. Below are the key developments:
Typhoon's Path and Forecast
By 4 a.m. Monday, Man-yi was located in the northern East Sea with winds of 133 km/h, moving northwest at 25 km/h. By 4 a.m. Tuesday, it is predicted to be 370 km northeast of the Paracel Islands, with winds reducing to 102 km/h. By 4 a.m. Wednesday, it is expected to weaken further to 74 km/h while positioned 210 km northwest of the Paracel Islands. The storm is forecast to shift west-southwest and weaken into a tropical depression near Vietnam’s central coast.
Impact in the Philippines
Man-yi made its first landfall on Catanduanes Island and a second one on Luzon, causing significant damage. Initially packing sustained winds of 185 km/h, it weakened to 149 km/h as it moved inland. The storm uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed homes, particularly in Catanduanes and Aurora provinces.
Flooding, landslides, and storm surges over three meters high affected many areas, especially vulnerable coastal regions. More than 1.2 million people evacuated, including thousands in Manila. While no deaths were reported, extensive structural damage was recorded. Cleanup efforts are underway, especially in severely impacted areas like Panganiban in Catanduanes.
Late-Season Typhoon and Climate Concerns
Man-yi's occurrence late in the typhoon season, which typically peaks between July and October, is unusual. It was part of an unprecedented cluster of four storms active simultaneously in the Pacific basin this November—the first time such an event has been observed since 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The intensity and frequency of storms like Man-yi are linked to climate change, with residents noting increasingly powerful typhoons in recent years. Heavier rains, stronger winds, and widespread destruction have become more common, underscoring the growing risks posed by changing climate patterns.
Expected Impact on Vietnam
As Man-yi weakens over the East Sea, its remnants could bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to central Vietnam. Authorities are monitoring the situation for potential flooding and landslides, preparing to mitigate its effects.
Typhoon Man-yi serves as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of storms in the region, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and climate resilience measures.Typhoon Man-yi has caused significant disruption as it moved from the Philippines into the East Sea, weakening from a super typhoon to a typhoon and is expected to become a tropical depression off Vietnam’s central coast. Below are the key developments:
Typhoon's Path and Forecast
By 4 a.m. Monday, Man-yi was located in the northern East Sea with winds of 133 km/h, moving northwest at 25 km/h. By 4 a.m. Tuesday, it is predicted to be 370 km northeast of the Paracel Islands, with winds reducing to 102 km/h. By 4 a.m. Wednesday, it is expected to weaken further to 74 km/h while positioned 210 km northwest of the Paracel Islands. The storm is forecast to shift west-southwest and weaken into a tropical depression near Vietnam’s central coast.
Impact in the Philippines
Man-yi made its first landfall on Catanduanes Island and a second one on Luzon, causing significant damage. Initially packing sustained winds of 185 km/h, it weakened to 149 km/h as it moved inland. The storm uprooted trees, downed power lines, and destroyed homes, particularly in Catanduanes and Aurora provinces.
Flooding, landslides, and storm surges over three meters high affected many areas, especially vulnerable coastal regions. More than 1.2 million people evacuated, including thousands in Manila. While no deaths were reported, extensive structural damage was recorded. Cleanup efforts are underway, especially in severely impacted areas like Panganiban in Catanduanes.
Late-Season Typhoon and Climate Concerns
Man-yi's occurrence late in the typhoon season, which typically peaks between July and October, is unusual. It was part of an unprecedented cluster of four storms active simultaneously in the Pacific basin this November—the first time such an event has been observed since 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
The intensity and frequency of storms like Man-yi are linked to climate change, with residents noting increasingly powerful typhoons in recent years. Heavier rains, stronger winds, and widespread destruction have become more common, underscoring the growing risks posed by changing climate patterns.
Expected Impact on Vietnam
As Man-yi weakens over the East Sea, its remnants could bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to central Vietnam. Authorities are monitoring the situation for potential flooding and landslides, preparing to mitigate its effects.
Typhoon Man-yi serves as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of storms in the region, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and climate resilience measures.
The appeal for clemency by the legal team of property mogul Truong My Lan, who is facing a death sentence for embezzlement, reflects a strategic push to emphasize her potential to contribute positively to the economy if spared. Here are the key points:
Arguments from Lan's Lawyers:
Economic Contribution:
Reviving stalled projects like Amigo and Mui Den Do in Ho Chi Minh City could generate substantial tax revenue for the state and create thousands of jobs.
The lawyers suggest that Lan's expertise and leadership are critical for these projects to move forward.
Asset Submission:
Lan has reportedly submitted VND323 trillion (US$12.7 billion) to compensate Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB) for its losses.
Combined with the value of confiscated assets, her lawyers argue this should suffice to cover the damages she caused.
Double Punishment Argument:
The defense claims Lan is being penalized twice for actions committed during the same 2012-2022 period—once for violating banking regulations and again for embezzlement.
They request the embezzlement verdict be reconsidered to reduce her sentence to life imprisonment.
Prosecution's Stance:
Prosecutors argue there are no new developments that justify commuting her death sentence.
Lan's actions reportedly caused VND677 trillion ($27 billion) in losses to SCB over a decade, which they believe warrants the death penalty.
Broader Implications:
The case highlights:
The intersection of financial crime and economic stability in Vietnam.
The state's tough stance on high-profile corruption cases.
The potential economic and social fallout of stalled major property projects.
Whether the court will consider the defense's economic arguments as a basis for clemency remains to be seen.
A post shared on X claims actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner has said he will set himself on fire if former President Donald Trump is reelected.
09/26/2024 Anna Mock | Fact Check Reporter
Verdict: False
This claim is baseless. It was posted by a website that is satirical.
Fact Check:
Reiner went viral last month when he made a post about the Democratic National Convention for a comment saying that hosting the event in the same place as Trump held the Republican one was a “major take down,” according to Newsweek. Reiner, a vocal supporter of the Democratic Party, added that Harris was “kicking his Criminal a**,” the outlet reported.
A post claims Reiner has threatened to “set himself on fire” if Trump wins the election this year. It shows an image of the actor speaking into a microphone.
“Rob Reiner has said that he will set himself on fire if Donald Trump becomes president,” the caption reads. “He is either lying, deranged or both. He offers no third theory.”
This post is baseless, however. The claim originates from a site called Washington Stinger, which has a header that reads, “all stories are satire and not true.” Additionally, it has an “About” page that reads, “This is a parody site for comedic purposes only. Nothing on this site is true.”
It’s true that Reiner has been an outspoken critic of Trump in the past. He recently authored a post that reads, “Trump is not just a Snake, he’s also the Snake Oil salesman, who after he bites you, he convinces you he can cure you if you buy the fake crap he’s selling. It’s time to rid our Democracy of Trump’s venom. VOTE KAMALA!”
Argentina President Javier Milei said in November 2024, "Elon Musk bought that filthy 'woke' bastion that was CNN."
By Jordan Liles
Claim:
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk bought CNN in November 2024.
Rating:
Originated as Satire
A rumor circulating online shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump's reelection victory in November 2024 claimed that X owner, Tesla CEO and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk bought CNN.
Argentine President Javier Milei promoted the rumor while speaking in front of the Argentine Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 7 — the same day Reuters reported on Milei's plans to meet with Musk and Trump in the U.S. the following week. Numerous social media users and some publishers also shared the purported news as fact, with some citing Milei's remark.
However, the claim that Musk purchased CNN was not true. The rumor originated weeks earlier on a website describing its output as parody and satire.
We attempted to make contact with Milei's press office to ask about his promotion of the false rumor and will update this story if we receive comment.
Largest Newspaper in Argentina Shared the Rumor
Of the many online posts sharing the rumor, one Facebook post (archived) from Nov. 4 that received around 75,000 reactions read, "Elon Musk Agrees to $3 Billion to Buy CNN. Elon Musk Reportedly Eyeing CNN Acquisition: 'I'll Fix the Media, One Network at a Time.'"
A YouTube video from Nov. 1 displayed the title, "Elon Musk: 'I am officially buying CNN.'" Numerous users on X also repeated this rumor.
One publisher that shared the claim was Clarin — the Spanish-language newspaper with the largest distribution in Argentina. Clarin posted on X (archived) on Nov. 7, "Javier Milei revealed that Elon Musk 'bought' CNN and that it will be Donald Trump's chainsaw."
On Clarin.com, the Spanish-language article presented a brief transcription of the relevant section of Milei's remarks. He said, in part, "This is something to get excited about. You're going to see that what Donald Trump does will be talked about a little better, because today Elon Musk bought that filthy 'woke' bastion that was CNN, which means that now we're not only going to have freedom in X, but we're also going to have a network that's not so socialist, so left-wing."
The news Liberdade X account published a brief video featuring Spanish subtitles that showed Milei's remark about Musk and CNN.
As another example of a publisher sharing the false rumor, the conservative-political Brazilian production company Brasil Paralelo ran it in a Portuguese-language article on Nov. 7. The story's headline read, "Javier Milei revealed that Elon Musk 'bought' CNN." Hours later, Brasil Paralelo removed that article. The publisher has since reported a second story (archived) clarifying no credible person confirmed Musk's supposed purchase of CNN. Even so, as of Nov. 8, Google search results still displayed the headline for the retracted story, as did several posts on X.
Musk-CNN Rumor Originated as Satire
On Oct. 24, PolitiFact reported the facts and origins of the false rumor claiming Musk purchased CNN.
Six days earlier, on Oct. 18, the SpaceXMania website published an article displaying the same headline as the aforementioned Facebook post. That headline read, "Elon Musk Reportedly Eyeing CNN Acquisition: 'I'll Fix the Media, One Network at a Time.'"
The Trump appointee said the GOP’s eleventh-hour claims against Democratic-leaning counties were based on “no supporting facts."
By Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein
A federal judge in Georgia said an eleventh-hour bid by the Republican Party to set aside some absentee votes from Democratic-leaning counties was rife with dishonesty, “red herrings” and demands that would have required him to break his oath to the Constitution.
In a stinging oral ruling denying the Republican National Committee’s bid for emergency action, U.S. District Judge R. Stan Baker, a Trump appointee, warned that the party’s bid to toss absentee ballots collected in seven historically Democratic-leaning counties in Georgia over the weekend was based on “no supporting facts” and was an attempt to “tip the scales of this election by discriminating against” people less likely to back Republican candidates.
The RNC and Georgia Republican Party sued the seven counties, including Democratic strongholds like Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett, on Sunday, claiming they had improperly accepted hand-delivered ballots from voters over the weekend. State officials emphasized that the practice was legal, but the claims ignited a firestorm among Donald Trump’s allies, who used them to stoke efforts to sow doubt about the outcome of the election.
Baker agreed that the GOP claims were based on a misreading of state law — they conflated “early voting,” which ended Friday, with absentee voting, which continues through Election Day — and were accompanied by exaggerated assertions that could erode faith in the election process.
“A lawyer’s words matter,” Baker said as he forcefully rejected the GOP request to segregate the ballots at issue. “Please don't take us any closer to that ledge.”
Baker noted that the RNC’s demands in the case would have effectively eliminated an untold number of absentee ballots, including those delivered on Election Day, even though the law explicitly allows them to continue coming in until the polls close.
As he concluded his ruling Tuesday afternoon, Baker dressed down the attorneys who filed the case, saying it contained erroneous claims and arguments that appeared to “cherry-pick” targeted counties based on their perceived political affiliation. Baker said the filing of such a flimsy case ran the risk of undermining public confidence in the election and raising public doubt about future claims that might be more legitimate. Lamenting the GOP’s “litigation tactics,” he urged the lawyers representing the state and national party to read “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
“There’s no supporting facts. There’s no supporting law,” Baker said. “That parade of horribles is factually and legally incorrect.”
Lawyers for the seven counties targeted by the GOP described dismay at what they said was a bad-faith effort to challenge long-accepted voting practices available to every county in the state. At least one attorney also suggested the Republicans engaged in “forum shopping” — a tactic to maneuver the case in front of a Trump appointee — by adding a single county in Baker’s district to the case, when most of the counties sued are elsewhere in the state.
In his admonition to the lawyers, Baker expressed concern about forum shopping and the “duty of candor” that lawyers are required to uphold. But said he wasn’t going to impose any sanction on the lawyers.
There were other reasons, Baker said, that he was unlikely to advance the case further: It was brought too late, ran afoul of long-standing legal principles not to change voting procedures on the cusp of Election Day and overlapped with a state-level case brought earlier in Fulton County. The judge in that case similarly rejected the claims, Baker noted.
Donald Trump is often criticized for misleading claims about the size of his rally crowds, greatly inflating the numbers of his supporters despite clear evidence to show otherwise.
By Tom Norton
Throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump has made back-to-back claims greatly exaggerating his campaign event attendance figures. His recent return to Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of his first assassination attempt, led the former president to boast that more than 100,000 people had attended, off by an order of at least 40,000.
However, it's not only Trump who has pitched in with plumped-up crowd claims either, as a viral video that misused footage from a Chappell Roan show shared by his alleged supporters this week showed.
A post on TikTok by user rhinomor21, posted on November 3, 2024, and viewed 44,200 times, showed a video of a huge concert crowd with the heading "Salem, Virgina [sic]." A video description read: "#Trump."
Chants of "We want Trump" could be heard in the background.
The TikTok clip's heading referred to Trump's rally in Salem on Saturday. The same video was shared across TikTok and spread on X, formerly Twitter, where it received more than a million views.
Comments underneath the posts appeared to convince some of its readers. On TikTok, one user wrote "Holy cow! Phenomenal!"; another user seemed to confirm its authenticity, adding, "This where we were yesterday!! Amazing!!"
However, apart from the fact the Trump rally was held indoors, the footage was tracible to the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
Multiple videos on YouTube show the same video from the top of the festival's main stage. This year's event took place between October 4 and 13, 2024.
Footage from the "Hot To Go!" singer's set at the festival, posted on X by Austin City Limits Festival, was used; the performance of her song "Pink Pony Club" was replaced with a snippet from 90s dance anthem "Sandstorm" by Darude and overlaid with pro-Trump chants.
There is nothing to suggest that the former president's team was in any way connected to the posts.
The Trump rally in Virginia was held at the Salem Civic Center. As reported by The Washington Post, The Republican used the event to repeat unfounded claims that his opponents plan to fraudulently claim election victory.
"I'd love to win the popular vote with them cheating," Trump said.
"Let them cheat, because that's what they do, they do it very well, they're very professional. But I think we have a really good chance to win the popular vote."
False.
The video shared on TikTok and X was not taken at a Trump rally. It was filmed at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas, and appears to have been taken from Chappell Roan's set at the event in October 2024. The Trump rally was held in an indoor arena.
Here’s a companion list of arguments for elevating Vice President Kamala Harris to the presidency. Again, drum roll, and the countdown to No. 1:
By Jackie Calmes
10. She’s got a good resume for the job.
Harris has had experience and a solid record of public service at every level of government over two decades: local, as a prosecutor and San Francisco district attorney; state, as California attorney general; and federal, as U.S. senator and vice president. In California, she won fights against transnational criminals, for-profit colleges, home foreclosures and corporate polluters. Nationally, she’s been a champion for reproductive rights and for policies that actually help the working class, as opposed to paying them lip service, a la Trump.
All told, Harris has more government experience, including in national security (as a Senate Intelligence Committee member as well as vice president), than Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama and Trump had when they took office.
9. She’s a consensus-oriented pragmatist.
Forget Trump’s blather about Harris being a Marxist; he’s the extremist — a “fascist,” as his former chief of staff John F. Kelly warns. Harris is “a strong, committed public servant … running to put people together,” Republican former Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan said last week, in joining more than 30 former party colleagues in condemning Trump.
Harris’ lurch leftward five years ago for her short-lived presidential campaign, including on healthcare, the environment and policing, was a pander to party liberals; she wasn’t true to herself, hence her poor performance. But she learned from her comeuppance and from her service as veep to the compromise-seeking President Biden. As Democratic elder James Carville noted Wednesday in the New York Times, Harris’ support stretches from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Democrats’ left to Dick and Liz Cheney on the right, making her coalition “the broadest we have seen in modern political history.”
8. She would choose public servants for her administration.
That Harris (or any president) would assemble a competent Cabinet and sub-Cabinet appointees should not be notable. But it is, when the alternative is a Trump administration without the purported “adults in the room” who worked for him before. As Trump recently warned, when it comes to picking advisors, “I now know the game a little better.” His goal, as spelled out in Project 2025, is to gut the nonpartisan civil service and fill jobs with sycophants loyal to him, not the Constitution.
7. She’d allow the Trump trials to play out.
Harris wouldn’t treat the Justice Department as her personal law firm, as Trump did and would do again, to fulfill his threats of “retribution.” Assisted by flunkies (see above), he’d dump the criminal cases against himself and initiate new ones against his enemies. He told right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt on Tuesday that he’d fire special counsel Jack Smith “within two seconds.”
More than 40 former Justice Department officials of both parties have endorsed Harris, saying she’d respect the department’s prosecutorial independence, like every president but Trump since Watergate. Justice, and justice, would proceed, because the charges against Trump for Jan. 6 and taking classified documents are deserved. They are not, as Trump lies, a result of Democrats’ “weaponization” of government.
6. She’d be a better fiscal and economic steward.
Neither Harris nor Trump has plans for tackling the unsustainable growth of the federal debt; both would add to it. But Harris’ agenda of tax and spending policies would cost about half as much as Trump’s, according to nonpartisan analyses, and provide a better return on public investment. And in a Wall Street Journal survey, most economists predicted that inflation, interest rates and deficits would be much higher under Trump.
Though he and many voters blame Biden and Harris for the inflation of recent years, price increases were inevitable given post-pandemic demand. But inflation has fallen and inflation-adjusted wages have risen to pre-pandemic levels. Also, Harris would respect the independence of the Federal Reserve; as president, Trump did not.
5. She would build on Biden’s climate change initiatives.
Trump not only doesn’t recognize the existential threat, he mocks it and vows to repeal the landmark Biden-Harris investments in clean energy. Instead he’d “drill, baby, drill.” (Again contrary to Trump’s lies, U.S. energy production under Biden has set world records.) Harris calls for continuing a hybrid approach, supporting existing fossil fuel projects but emphasizing clean-energy subsidies.
4. She’d signal to the world that the United States remains dedicated to democracy and its multilateral alliances.
Harris would maintain U.S. leadership in NATO and other global institutions, respect existing international accords, including on climate, and support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. More than Biden, she has indicated she’d stand up to Israel’s right-wing government. None of that would be true of a reelected Trump. Foreign allies are petrified that he’ll return to power; simply by electing Harris, Americans would reassure the free world.
3. She would choose diverse, mainstream nominees for the federal courts.
Harris would continue Biden’s practice of picking esteemed, mainstream judicial nominees who are diverse in professional backgrounds, gender and race. She’d likely choose relative moderates, as opposed to Trump’s right-wing ideologues, especially if the Senate has, as predicted, a Republican majority eager for any excuse to block her choices. Expect far-right Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, 76, and Samuel A. Alito Jr., 74, to delay retiring rather than let her choose their successors. But that’s preferable to Trump picking younger clones to serve for decades.
2. She has character.
Harris is not a habitual liar, shows no penchant for personal power and self-aggrandizement and is untouched by scandal. Unlike Trump, she would be “a president for all Americans” and “put country above party and self,” as she said at the Democratic National Convention.
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Diddy’s Αrrᴇst aпd thᴇ Dowпfall of a Mogυl
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Jᴇппifᴇr Lopᴇz: Morᴇ Thaп Jυst a Party Gυᴇst?
Jᴇппifᴇr Lopᴇz’s past rᴇlatioпship with Diddy dυriпg thᴇ latᴇ 1990s madᴇ hᴇr a familiar facᴇ at his partiᴇs. Kпowп for hᴇr “girl-пᴇxt-door” appᴇal, shᴇ’s пow faciпg qυᴇstioпs aboυt hᴇr awarᴇпᴇss of thᴇsᴇ allᴇgᴇd activitiᴇs. Rᴇcᴇпtly sυrfacᴇd footagᴇ shows Lopᴇz miпgliпg with othᴇr high-profilᴇ attᴇпdᴇᴇs, promptiпg spᴇcυlatioп aboυt hᴇr lᴇvᴇl of kпowlᴇdgᴇ rᴇgardiпg what might havᴇ occυrrᴇd oпcᴇ thᴇ maiп fᴇstivitiᴇs ᴇпdᴇd. Αs hᴇr associatioп with Diddy rᴇsυrfacᴇs, Lopᴇz fiпds hᴇrsᴇlf υпdᴇr pυblic scrυtiпy, with faпs woпdᴇriпg if shᴇ was simply υпawarᴇ or fυlly coпscioυs of Diddy’s allᴇgᴇd miscoпdυct.tdJay-Z: Α Friᴇпdship Uпdᴇr Firᴇ
Jay-Z, a closᴇ friᴇпd aпd frᴇqυᴇпt gυᴇst at Diddy’s gathᴇriпgs, has maiпtaiпᴇd silᴇпcᴇ siпcᴇ thᴇ allᴇgatioпs ᴇmᴇrgᴇd. Thᴇir friᴇпdship, which spaпs dᴇcadᴇs aпd has bᴇᴇп markᴇd by mυltiplᴇ collaboratioпs, пow facᴇs pυblic sυspicioп. Αlthoυgh пo ᴇvidᴇпcᴇ dirᴇctly implicatᴇs Jay-Z, his closᴇ tiᴇs to Diddy havᴇ lᴇd somᴇ to qυᴇstioп if hᴇ kпowiпgly ovᴇrlookᴇd aпy qυᴇstioпablᴇ activitiᴇs. If thᴇsᴇ allᴇgatioпs provᴇ trυᴇ, Jay-Z’s rᴇpυtatioп as a sᴇlf-madᴇ mogυl coυld bᴇ at risk, with faпs qυᴇstioпiпg if his risᴇ to powᴇr was partially iпflυᴇпcᴇd by his alliaпcᴇ with Diddy.
Bᴇyoпcé’s Silᴇпcᴇ Fυᴇls Spᴇcυlatioп
Bᴇyoпcé, althoυgh пot dirᴇctly implicatᴇd, has closᴇ coппᴇctioпs with both Jay-Z aпd Diddy. Hᴇr silᴇпcᴇ oп thᴇ mattᴇr has addᴇd to faпs’ cυriosity, with somᴇ spᴇcυlatiпg that shᴇ may kпow morᴇ thaп shᴇ lᴇts oп. Kпowп for hᴇr gυardᴇd pυblic imagᴇ, Bᴇyoпcé’s qυiᴇt staпcᴇ amid this scaпdal has lᴇd faпs to comb throυgh old footagᴇ, lookiпg for clυᴇs of hᴇr possiblᴇ awarᴇпᴇss.
Viral Footagᴇ aпd Pυblic Oυtcry: Α Dᴇmaпd for Αпswᴇrs
Footagᴇ of Diddy, Jay-Z, Lopᴇz, aпd Bᴇyoпcé at thᴇsᴇ ᴇxclυsivᴇ partiᴇs has rᴇsυrfacᴇd with a morᴇ siпistᴇr coппotatioп. Oпcᴇ mᴇrᴇly sпapshots of Hollywood ᴇxtravagaпcᴇ, thᴇsᴇ clips пow hiпt at a hiddᴇп world of coпtrol aпd maпipυlatioп. Iп oпᴇ viral vidᴇo, Diddy appᴇars to bᴇ υshᴇriпg yoυпgᴇr attᴇпdᴇᴇs away as thᴇ party bᴇgiпs to shift, sparkiпg fυrthᴇr dᴇbatᴇ ovᴇr thᴇ trυᴇ пatυrᴇ of thᴇsᴇ gathᴇriпgs.tdThᴇ Pricᴇ of Cᴇlᴇbrity Silᴇпcᴇ aпd thᴇ Call for Αccoυпtability
Αs thᴇ backlash agaiпst Diddy aпd his famoυs acqυaiпtaпcᴇs iпtᴇпsifiᴇs, thᴇ qυᴇstioп of cᴇlᴇbrity accoυпtability looms largᴇ. Faпs aпd mᴇdia alikᴇ arᴇ calliпg for traпsparᴇпcy, rᴇjᴇctiпg thᴇ glamoroυs facadᴇs that oпcᴇ shiᴇldᴇd thᴇ ᴇlitᴇ. Stars likᴇ Jay-Z aпd Lopᴇz, who oпcᴇ ᴇпjoyᴇd rᴇlativᴇ immυпity, пow facᴇ υпprᴇcᴇdᴇпtᴇd challᴇпgᴇs to thᴇir pυblic imagᴇs. Iп aп ᴇra whᴇrᴇ silᴇпcᴇ is пo loпgᴇr aп accᴇptablᴇ rᴇspoпsᴇ, Hollywood’s iппᴇr circlᴇ is grappliпg with thᴇ cost of complicity aпd thᴇ dᴇmaпd for trυth.Coпclυsioп: Thᴇ Ꭼпdυriпg Impact of Diddy’s Dowпfall
For yᴇars, Diddy symbolizᴇd sυccᴇss aпd iпflυᴇпcᴇ. Now, as his rᴇpυtatioп υпravᴇls aпd his lᴇgal battlᴇs coпtiпυᴇ, hᴇ staпds as a caυtioпary figυrᴇ aboυt thᴇ daпgᴇrs of υпchᴇckᴇd powᴇr. This scaпdal has lᴇft a lastiпg mark oп thᴇ ᴇпtᴇrtaiпmᴇпt iпdυstry, sᴇrviпg as a rᴇmiпdᴇr of thᴇ importaпcᴇ of iпtᴇgrity aпd thᴇ potᴇпtial coпsᴇqυᴇпcᴇs of rᴇmaiпiпg silᴇпt iп thᴇ facᴇ of wroпgdoiпg. Whᴇthᴇr or пot thᴇ fυll story ᴇmᴇrgᴇs, thᴇ ᴇvᴇпts sυrroυпdiпg Diddy’s allᴇgᴇd miscoпdυct υпdᴇrscorᴇ a shift iп cᴇlᴇbrity cυltυrᴇ, as faпs iпcrᴇasiпgly dᴇmaпd accoυпtability ovᴇr glamoυr.
Mel Gibson And Mark Wahlberg BREAK SILENCE On Sound Of Freedom And The Evil of Hollywood
You know how Hollywood can be a glitzy wonderland on the surface, but beneath all that sparkle lies a world of whispers and secrets.
Celebrities have spilled the tea, sharing tales of behind-the-scenes power plays and shady dealings. Yet, despite all the jaw-dropping accounts, concrete evidence has been hard to come by, leaving us all craving for the truth.
But wait, here comes the plot twist that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat! Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg, two Hollywood heavyweights, are teaming up for a top-secret project that’s bound to rock the industry to its core. And trust us, it’s got everyone, especially the elite crowd, trembling with anticipation.
He is an imperfect vessel - to say the least - but the country needs change
_______________
I wasn’t planning to write this.
Two years ago, I said I would vote for a Democrat over Donald Trump in 2024. I wrote that during a Republican primary I hoped Florida governor Ron DeSantis would win; DeSantis had stood almost alone against Covid lockdowns and vaccine mandates, forever earning my respect.
But Trump crushed DeSantis in the primary. Ever since, I have struggled over what to do in this election.
In one sense, my vote doesn’t matter. I live in New York, which Kamala Harris is sure to win. But it must at least a little, because many of you - a surprising number - have asked or urged me to repudiate my 2022 words and endorse Trump.
With three days left in this most brutal of campaigns, I am.
(Many of you will like this. Some of you won’t. No matter, I pledged to tell you the truth, and this is the truth.)
In some ways, this choice pains me.
Donald Trump’s rhetoric is vicious. His unwillingness to promise to abide by the results of Tuesday’s election is dangerous. His friendly attitude towards dictators like Vladimir Putin disheartens me. And though I hate abortion I do not support overturning Roe v Wade.
Yet.
Yet when I pull back and consider the issues, I see:
It is the Democratic Party that stands against free speech; that forced mRNA vaccines on tens of millions of healthy adults; that opened America’s southern border until public outcry forced it closed; that supports decriminalization of drugs and “decarceration” of violent criminals; that presides over one giveaway after another to its favored interest groups; and that is willing to risk the American economy over its fears of climate change - it has, with little notice, pushed through regulations that will make gasoline-powered vehicles all but unaffordable within a decade.
What exactly does Kamala Harris stand for, if not more of the same?
That’s not a rhetorical question. I truly don’t know. But she is happy to take the endorsement of Dick Cheney, the chickenhawk warmonger who for 50 years has stood for everything wrong with American elites and American politics.
And if Donald Trump’s words have grown more vicious, he has his reasons.
In the last year, prosecutors in his former home state launched not one but two trials against him, the first aimed at bankrupting him over loans he repaid in full, the second at imprisoning him for the crime of winning in 2016. In front of juries in Manhattan, a county that voted against Trump by nearly 9 to 1 in 2020, both succeeded.
And - though the media rarely sees fit to mention this - Trump was almost assassinated in July, under circumstances that remain somewhat murky.
In response, Trump did NOT stop campaigning.
He is working harder to win votes than he ever has, in the face of an elite media that hates him more than ever. For all his complaints about rigged elections, he wants to win this one quite badly.
So, yes, Donald Trump is angry. He has the right to be.
We ALL have the right to be. For too long, our self-appointed betters - in the media, in public health, in academia - have told us they know best. They have told us that men can be women if they just click their heels three times, that the United States is an evil nation founded mostly to protect slavery, that there’s no such thing as an illegal immigrant. Most of all they have tried to shut down - to cancel, to censor -anyone who disagrees.
They’ve gone too far. And with their lawfare, they have proven that they will do anything to stop the man they abhor.
So I will be voting for Donald Trump.
It is not an easy choice - not for me, anyway - but it is the only choice.
With Election Day bearing down, guarding against misinformation is more vital than ever.
Joedy McCreary USA TODAY
In the coming days and weeks, election officials across the country will tally millions of ballots and declare the winners and losers. That means your social media feed likely will be filled with baseless claims of fraud – many of which we've seen before. Some common narratives:
The election was stolen due to voter fraud
Noncitizens are voting in large numbers
Votes were added/subtracted due to the "hacking" of machines
Changing vote totals prove cheating occurred
Partisan election officials skew vote tallies
There were more votes than registered voters
USA TODAY has debunked dozens of such claims in recent election cycles. Here's a rundown of what these narratives miss, so you're prepared when they crop up again.
Claim No. 1: Voter fraud
Experts call claims of widespread voter fraud deeply exaggerated.
"By and large, fraud is largely a made-up problem," said Paul Smith, senior vice president at the Campaign Legal Center, a government watchdog organization.
There were no indications of systemic problems with voter fraud during either the 2020 election or the midterms two years later, according to state-level reviews of those elections. Still, former President Donald Trump and his allies in the Republican Party made persistent, baseless claims about it.
Many states pushed through election-related changes to address those concerns. Some now require voters to show photo identification. Others created state-level units to look for potential problems.
Trump also raised questions about voting by mail, baselessly claiming in a Feb. 20 interview with Fox News that "if you have mail-in voting, you automatically have fraud." That's not true: Mail-in voting comes with several additional security measures to prevent fraud. Those range from verifying that the only people who can request ballots are registered voters, to a process that links every ballot to an eligible voter, according to previous USA TODAY reporting.
Trump has since reversed course and voiced his support for voting by mail, even as GOP lawyers continue fighting against it, as USA TODAY previously reported.
Prior fact checks on voter fraud:
2022 claim: Democrats used 47 million mail-in ballots to steal every U.S. midterm election (False)
2022 claim: The 2020 election was declared ‘illegal’ (False)
2020 claim: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the 2020 election was rigged (False)
Claim No. 2: Large numbers of noncitizens voting
This specific type of voter fraud merits separate mention because claims about it have been so prevalent in the 2024 race, with many of those claims linked to the crisis at the southern U.S. border.
Trump, for example, baselessly asserted in January that Democrats have encouraged migrants to flow into the U.S. illegally to register them to vote. Some House Republicans then threatened to shut down the government if Democrats didn't agree to legislation saying noncitizens couldn't vote – even though they are already barred from voting in federal and state elections.
Anyone caught lying about their citizenship status when they register to vote faces punishments that include fines, incarceration and deportation. States must audit their voter rolls and remove anyone who is ineligible, which includes immigrants in the country illegally.
That makes it remarkably rare for noncitizens to cast ballots.
"I looked it up. It's literally more likely that you'd get hit by lightning in Ohio than find a noncitizen voting there," said David Becker, the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Election Innovation and Research.
Of the 23.5 million votes in the 2016 presidential election counted across 42 jurisdictions studied, researchers at the Brennan Center for Justice found just 30 suspected cases of noncitizens voting. Other studies and analyses around the country found similarly low levels. That includes Georgia, where an audit of the state voter rolls by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger found just 20 noncitizens among the state's 8.2 million registered voters.
“Despite its resurgence as an issue, in Pennsylvania it was extremely rare," said Secretary of State Al Schmidt.
Yet it remains a key talking point and has been the subject of multiple lawsuits after Republican-led states attempted to remove suspected noncitizens from their voting rolls in the weeks before the election. For example, GOP officials in Virginia on Oct. 28 asked the Supreme Court for permission to proceed with a purge of voter registrations for those suspected to be noncitizens.
Prior fact checks on noncitizens voting:
2024 claim: Biden's executive order allowed ineligible convicts and 'illegal immigrants' to vote (False)
2024 claim: Biden opposing SAVE Act is 'cheating'; Walz is allowing 'illegals' to vote in Minnesota (False)
2020 claim: Joe Biden received extra votes in battleground states from noncitizens (Missing context)
Claim No. 3: The election is ‘hacked’
Election officials at the federal, state and local levels have safeguards in place at three stages – before, during and after Election Day – to prevent hacking from taking place, according to the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The agency was part of a joint statement in November 2020 calling that year's election the "most secure in American history."
“There are multiple layers of security there that we’re constantly checking,” said Lawrence Norden, the senior director of elections and government at the Brennan Center for Justice.
Among them, according to CISA: States routinely test and certify their voting machines and conduct checks to make sure ballots are properly counted before election results are finalized. And the overwhelming majority of people who vote do so on paper. Becker said 97% of all ballots cast are paper ones. That creates a document trail that may be checked for accuracy.
“We audit those paper votes after the election to make sure that they match what the machine is telling us the vote total is,” Norden said.
To further limit the possibility of cyber interference, many states do not allow voting machines to connect to the Internet or even be equipped with modems.
Concerns about hacking sparked false claims from conservative pundits that voting machines deleted Trump votes and changed them to President Joe Biden. That led to lawsuits from voting technology companies such as Dominion Voting Systems, which sued Fox News for defamation and ultimately settled the case for $787.5 million.
Prior fact checks on hacking allegations:
2024 claim: Voting machines in Georgia are changing people’s votes
2022 claim: 'Corrupt electronic voting machines’ gave Tammy Duckworth a vote spike, helping her win reelection (False)
2023 claim: Malware, remote access caused printer problems; 200,000 'ejected' ballots in Arizona (False)
2022 claim: Results of Arizona gubernatorial race aired ahead of Election Day show attempt to steal election (False)
Claim No. 4: Rapidly changing vote totals
An abrupt increase in a candidate's vote count as ballots are tallied on Election Day does not mean something fraudulent happened. It's important to remember that not all votes are counted at the same time, experts say.
Several factors can affect tabulation times, according to CISA. Those include administration policy changes at the state or local level and protocols put into place during the pandemic. The agency noted that all election night results are unofficial, having not yet completed the various reviews and doublechecks.
The pace at which votes come in for both parties also changes based on when a state is allowed to begin counting its mail-in ballots.
False claims of “ballot dumps” circulated in 2020 after mail-in ballots were counted late in the day in the battleground states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. With few exceptions, those states do not allow workers to open mail ballots before Election Day.
"It was a natural phenomenon of different categories of votes showing up at different times, in a world in which mail voting ... was skewed very (Democratic) because the Republicans had been told not to do it," Smith said.
While mistakes do happen at times when votes are counted, those are typically a result of simple human error, not foul play, and there are processes in place to catch and fix them, officials said. Sometimes, that happens on Election Day. Other times, mistakes aren’t spotted until the canvass, which is part of the certification process. Those typically take place in the days or weeks that follow the election.
Prior fact checks on vote totals:
2022 claim: The U.S. ‘could easily count every vote in every state on election night until a few years ago’ (False)
2022 claim: Biden announced ‘they are going to cheat by dumping ballots’ (False)
2022 claim: Ballots found in Pennsylvania drop boxes show cheating in the election (False)
2020 claim: 100K votes in Michigan were 'magically' added to Biden's vote tally during the night (False)
Claim No. 5: Partisan election officials
No two states run their elections exactly the same way, and there's even plenty of variation between the setups within a state. But experts point to established checks and balances that prevent election officials from taking partisan actions.
In most states, voters choose the chief election official. That is most often the secretary of state, but in some states it's the lieutenant governor or an appointee of the governor, lawmakers or the state’s elections board.
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have a board or commission that oversees elections. Those are constructed to keep out politics and to have both parties represented, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“Election administration is – even if there is a top official – conducted in a bipartisan way,” Norden said. “And you have, again, multiple, multiple checks to ensure that no one person can do anything that’s going to cause problems in the system.”
Many states incorporate partisan balance into various stages of the process. For example, Arizona requires pairings of one Democrat and one Republican to review each absentee ballot that the tabulator can't read to determine how it should be counted.
Prior fact checks on election officials:
2024 claim: Votes cast on ballots marked by poll workers are disqualified (False)
2023 claim: A software company's contract allows officials to override election results (False)
2023 claim: Maricopa County, Arizona, officials admitted to breaking the law, improperly certifying machines that failed during election (False)
2020 claim: Video of election workers filling out blank ballots in Delaware County is voter fraud (False)
Claim No. 6: More votes than voters
Several versions of this claim have circulated since 2020. They’re all baseless, and they tend to rely on numbers that are incomplete or just plain wrong.
"To suggest that there's more votes cast than registrations is absurd, and it has never happened," Smith said.
For example, Trump’s false claim that the number of votes in Pennsylvania in 2020 exceeded the number of voters by more than 200,000 was based on an incomplete voter registration database that was missing the state's two largest counties – Philadelphia and Allegheny counties – The New York Times reported in 2021.
Some of these claims fail to factor in states that allow same-day voter registration, so they're comparing vote totals to outdated registries. Sometimes, a claim is both false and based on an inadequate set of data.
For example, a U.S. Senate candidate in Ohio wrongly asserted that in 2020 there were 5 million more votes cast than voters, and pinned the claim on U.S. Census Bureau data, according to a PolitiFact fact check. In reality, numbers from the bureau show 168 million registered voters and 155 million votes, a difference of about 13 million.
But there's a better source of election-related figures than the Census Bureau: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission collects data directly from the states and reported more than 209 million active registered voters that year compared to 161 million ballots cast.
Prior fact checks on voter counts:
2024 claim: 105% of Michigan's population is registered to vote (False)
2022 claim: A New Hampshire Senate candidate won 1,100 votes from a town with fewer than 700 people (False)
2022 claim: Washington state had 590,000 'excess votes' in the 2020 election (False)
2020 claim: Pennsylvania recorded more mail-in votes than ballots requested (False)
2020 claim: Wisconsin shows more counted votes than registered voters (False)
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Diet plays a pivotal role in cancer prevention, with research showing that certain foods—especially plant-based options—can reduce cancer risk. By incorporating nutrient-rich foods into daily meals, you can support immune health, reduce oxidative stress, and aid the body in toxin elimination. Here’s a rundown of top foods recommended by experts to help prevent cancer:
Fruits & Vegetables You Enjoy
Including a variety of plant-based foods is essential. Nutrition expert Nichole Andrews suggests prioritizing fruits and veggies you enjoy, as they provide antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals to combat inflammation and eliminate toxins.
Soy Foods
Andrews debunks the myth that soy increases breast cancer risk, highlighting soy’s anti-inflammatory benefits and its association with reduced cancer risk. Adding soy milk, tofu, or edamame is a great way to introduce soy into your meals.
Whole Grains
Whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-grain pasta, are beneficial for cancer prevention due to their fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants, which protect cells and reduce inflammation. Andrews suggests aiming for 30 grams of fiber per day.
Chia and Flax Seeds
Seeds are packed with nutrients beneficial for cancer prevention, especially for colon and breast cancers. Andrews recommends grinding flax seeds to release omega-3s, known for their anti-inflammatory effects, which can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, or salads.
Beans and Lentils
Legumes, like beans and lentils, provide fiber and plant-based protein, both of which stabilize blood sugar and aid digestion, supporting cancer prevention. One cup of these legumes can contain 16 grams of fiber, promoting healthy digestion.
Nuts
Nuts, especially almonds, are nutrient-dense and linked to both weight management and reduced cancer risk. Almonds provide vitamin E, fiber, and healthy fats, with antioxidants that combat oxidative stress—a known cancer risk factor.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like salmon and sardines offer omega-3 fatty acids, which have potent anti-inflammatory properties and may inhibit cancer cell growth. Omega-3s also modulate immune function, playing a role in cancer prevention.
Incorporating these foods into a balanced diet can enhance overall health and support the body in defending against cancer.
Do Thi Kim Tien, a 25-year-old from Vietnam, closely monitors her calorie intake each meal to keep it below her calorie expenditure, a habit that has helped her shed 20 kg. She started gaining weight after the Covid-19 pandemic, reaching over 90 kg at 1.6 meters tall and facing frequent body-shaming remarks. The weight gain caused health issues, including shortness of breath, joint pain, snoring, high visceral fat levels, and irregular periods.
Determined to live a healthier life, Tien researched weight loss methods, finally choosing the calorie deficit approach as it allows her to eat scientifically without feeling deprived. The calorie deficit method, which balances eating lower-calorie foods with physical activity, is recognized by experts as an effective, sustainable way to lose weight. Dr. Do Thi Ngoc Diep, a Vietnamese nutrition expert, emphasizes that a balanced diet including all essential nutrients is vital for health, cautioning against restrictive diets.
Tien maintains a daily intake of 1,500-1,700 calories, balancing 40% carbs, 35% protein, and 25% fats. She avoids added oils and sugar, opting for water-based cooking methods and limiting fatty meats. She prioritizes vegetables and lean proteins and drinks plenty of water to reduce cravings, improve skin health, and flush out toxins.
Instead of rigid meal plans, Tien adapts her intake daily, reducing portions if she overindulges one day. Initially, hunger was challenging, but she managed by drinking warm water and eating light snacks like cucumbers or yogurt. Today, she feels healthier, her menstrual cycle has normalized, and she has more stamina.
Tien also exercises an hour each day, focusing on cardio and resistance band workouts. She aims to lose an additional 10 kg in time for the Tet Lunar New Year. “I used to blame my weight on genetics,” she says, “but with the right approach, no woman has to stay overweight.”
A fire erupted Saturday evening at The Eratown apartment complex in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. The fire started around 7:30 p.m. on the 24th floor of block A3, located on 15B Street in Phu My Ward. Smoke quickly spread, prompting the building's fire alarm to sound and residents to rush down emergency stairs.
Mai Huong, a 5th-floor resident, shared that she heard neighbors shouting about the fire and hurriedly evacuated with her young child. "Everyone was packed together in the emergency staircase, panicking," she recalled. The fire generated thick black smoke visible from afar. Nearly ten fire trucks and ambulances arrived, and firefighters, with the building management's support, worked to contain the blaze.
Due to the high floor where the fire originated, it took firefighters time to reach the flames. By 8:30 p.m., the fire was controlled, and rescue teams searched for any trapped residents. Authorities determined an electrical short circuit in the corridor on the 24th floor was the cause.
Firefighters safely guided over ten residents from nearby apartments, and no injuries were reported. As of 10:30 p.m., block A3 remained without power, with residents still awaiting clearance to return to their homes. The Eratown complex, which began construction in 2010, includes nine buildings with more than 3,000 apartments.
Two gold businesses in Ho Chi Minh City—K.H Gold and Pawn Private Enterprise and K.B.N Gold Trading Co., Ltd., both located in Hoc Mon District—have been fined VND200 million (approximately US$7,900) for selling gold with unclear origins through social media platforms like TikTok and Zalo. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Market Surveillance Department, the businesses had been actively promoting gold sales online.
After a coordinated inspection by the market surveillance team and the local economic police, four gold jewelry items valued at over VND100 million were temporarily confiscated. The inspection is part of the city's effort to monitor e-commerce activities in the second half of the year, with social media trading of 24K gold growing popular on platforms like TikTok, where some gold groups have attracted over 65,000 members. Posts on these platforms often list prices higher than the market rate, sometimes reaching VND92 million per tael.
In addition to individual sellers, major gold companies and banks have also been under inspection. In May, the State Bank of Vietnam announced a 45-day inspection plan for four major enterprises—SJC, DOJI, PNJ, and Bao Tin Minh Chau—and two banks, TPBank and EximBank. These inspections target compliance with gold trading laws, anti-money laundering regulations, proper documentation practices, and tax obligations.
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, announced on Friday that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic and member of the Kennedy family, would hold a “big role” in his administration if elected. Speaking in Dearborn, Michigan, Trump praised Kennedy’s health-related knowledge, suggesting he would be well-suited for a senior role in health care. While Trump did not directly endorse Kennedy’s anti-vaccine views, he indicated alignment with some of Kennedy’s perspectives.
Kennedy, who initially ran as an independent earlier in the election, dropped out in August to support Trump. Rumors suggest he could be a candidate for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Last week, Trump hinted at a rally in New York that Kennedy would have significant leeway in handling health policies, with further comments on “women’s health” raising concerns among Democrats, especially given recent restrictions on abortion rights across more than 20 states.
Kennedy has been a major figure in the anti-vaccine movement, previously describing Covid-19 vaccines as exceptionally dangerous and claiming the virus was designed to target certain ethnic groups. Formerly recognized as a climate lawyer, Kennedy was once considered for a top role in the Environmental Protection Agency under Barack Obama’s administration.
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