Russia is increasingly using unidentified gas in its chemical warfare against Ukrainian troops, who are struggling to identify the majority of the chemicals used due to the lack of sophisticated detectors. Russian drones drop the gas grenades into trenches which forces Ukrainian soldiers out into the open fields, making them easy targets for drone or artillery attacks. In the 323 recorded incidents of chemical attacks by Russia in October, nearly all but 15 cases were unidentified. Ukraine has called for help from its Western allies to provide complex detectors to identify what chemical weapon is being used. The use of chemical agents, even if not lethal, on battlefields is considered a violation of the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention.
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Vikki Westbrook, a Trump supporter in rural North Carolina, remarks the “locked and loaded” sentiment shared amongst fellow Republicans ahead of the 2024 US Presidential election. Many Trump supporters remain convinced that the 2020 election was unjustly taken from Trump and fear similar circumstances in the upcoming election. Trump’s rhetoric continues to intensify amongst his supporters, with one in four believing that if Trump were to lose, he should discredit the election results and do whatever it takes to reclaim the presidency. As Trump tours key swing states before the election, claims of electoral fraud persist despite poll trackers suggesting a neck-and-neck race. The potential for violence remains a concern should Trump not secure a win.
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An American living in Seoul has highlighted a cultural misunderstanding he encountered when he first arrived in South Korea. He responded to an older woman who seemed to be asking about the weather, only to find that she had been speaking to herself. This seemingly mundane experience demonstrates the differences in how verbal self-expression is viewed in different cultures.
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Moldova’s recent election has been a whirlwind of fervent emotions, political maneuvering, and the indomitable quest for a pro-Western future. Maia Sandu’s victory in the presidential runoff, where she garnered over 54% of the votes against her rival Alexandr Stoianoglo, has ignited discussions that stretch beyond numbers and percentages. As I delve into the aftermath, it becomes increasingly clear how this election encapsulates a broader struggle for identity and alignment in a region often caught between East and West.
The implications of this election resonate deeply with me. The role of overseas voters in tipping the balance is particularly striking; it hints at a Moldovan diaspora that is not only watchful but actively engaged in the destiny of their homeland.… Continue reading
A federal judge has ruled that Iowa can continue to challenge the validity of hundreds of suspected non-citizen voters, despite opposition from recently naturalized citizens. The decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Judge Stephen Locher argued that the state’s efforts didn’t remove individuals from the voting register, but instead required the use of provisional ballots. The decision follows a similar ruling in Virginia that allowed a purge of its voter registration rolls, despite the impact on some US citizens. Critics argue the recent focus on potential non-citizens voting in elections is largely politically motivated.
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A new lawsuit has been filed against the state of Louisiana, challenging a law that categorizes abortion medications as controlled dangerous substances. The state is the first to classify mifepristone and misoprostol, both used for medication abortions, as “Schedule IV” drugs alongside certain stimulants, sedatives, and opioids. Doctors in Louisiana require a special license to prescribe the medicines, and hospitals must store the pills securely. The suit, filed by a group of healthcare providers, reproductive rights advocates, and a doula practice, argues that this law creates barriers for healthcare workers who need to quickly administer these pills in emergencies. Critics of the legislation argue that it aims to limit access to abortions, rather than prevent misuse of the drugs.
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The draft legislation “Never again begins now: defense protection and Strengthened Jewish Life in Germany” states a noticeable increase in antisemitism in Germany since the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. This law aims to protect the Jewish community in Germany and strengthen Jewish life in response to this growing hostility. This suggests an increasing concern about the safety of the Jewish population in Germany.
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Germany’s head of state, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, recently visited the construction site of a Holocaust museum in Thessaloniki, Greece. The museum, which is being built on the grounds of an old railway station from which thousands of Greek Jews were transported to Auschwitz, is due to be completed in 2026. Germany fundraised €10m towards the project. Many, including the president of Thessaloniki’s Jewish community, David Saltiel, have expressed relief that the museum is being built. More than 50,000 people, the majority of whom were Sephardic Jews, were transported from the city to concentration camps during WWII.
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A new poll conducted by Morning Call/Muhlenberg College shows Vice President Kamala Harris slightly ahead of former President Donald Trump in the crucial battleground state of Pennsylvania, two days before Election Day. Harris leads with a 49% to 47% margin, within the poll’s margin of error. Pennsylvania, with 19 electoral votes, could decisively sway the election. Other polls depict an extremely tight race in the state, with some aggregators placing Trump slightly ahead. Both campaigns have stationed strong presences in the state.
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Support for former President Donald Trump amongst Black voters has lowered days before the election, according to an NBC News poll. The data shows that Trump is only earning 9% of Black voter support, dropping from the 12% support he received during the 2020 presidential election. Contrastingly, Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris is leading amongst Black voters with 87% support. This follows efforts by both candidates to attract Black voters, as even small shifts in support can have significant effects in close races in key states. Although Trump has made overall gains in Black voter support during his presidential runs, recent polls indicate this support is decreasing.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood