Three trick-or-treaters from Halifax unexpectedly found unsafe items in their Halloween bags. Two of them received tins filled with pre-rolled cannabis joints while the other found a razor blade in his bag. The tins were sealed and were likely sold in Ontario while the latter potentially came from a home on Taranaki Drive. The police are calling on the public for leads and cautioning parents to double check their children’s bags. Violators could face legal repercussions under the Cannabis Control Act and criminal negligence.
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US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has responded to remarks made by billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who suggested Donald Trump did not associate with “strong, intelligent women”. Greene responded by posting a video of herself working out on social media and stated that she is one of the strong and intelligent women supporting Trump. She also made personal jabs at Cuban, who she claimed was intimidated by “strong, intelligent women”, and advised him to go to the gym.
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A US official has reportedly requested Lebanon to unilaterally declare a ceasefire with Israel with the hope of reviving stagnated talks between Israel and Hezbollah, according to a senior Lebanese political source and a senior diplomat. The US, however, denied this claim, stating it is working with both parties towards a ceasefire. Lebanon also denied the claim, expressing their intentions were to seek a mutual ceasefire in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which terminated the previous conflict between these opponents in 2006. Lebanon’s response towards a ceasefire would require the support from Hezbollah, whose allies and members dominate Lebanon’s governmental and parliamentary seats. There is a popular view in Lebanon that a one-sided declaration could potentially be seen as a surrender to Israel.
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Southwest District Health in Idaho has ceased providing the public with COVID-19 vaccines following a board ruling. The board decision is unprecedented, marking the first time a US health department has been stopped from administering the vaccines. Motivated by declining vaccine demand in the district, the board’s decision has come despite the medical director’s testimony to the vaccines’ necessity. Many critics of the decision say it’s left vulnerable populations, such as homeless people and long term care facility residents, without vaccination options. Board chairman Kelly Aberasturi intends to bring up the issue at the next board meeting to ensure these vulnerable groups can access the vaccine.
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Ex-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich has criticised an advert that tells women they do not have to disclose how they vote in the 2024 election, even to their husbands. The ad, produced by Vote Common Good, features actress Julia Roberts encouraging viewers to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, causing backlash among conservatives. In an interview with Fox News, Gingrich accused the Democrats of promoting dishonesty and contributing to the country’s moral decline. Gingrich has previously accused the Democrats of ruining American society with his extreme rhetoric. The former Speaker is known for his own personal infidelity.
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Allegations of sexual abuse by correctional staff in prisons across the US have surged in recent years, with guards allegedly using work tasks to lure female inmates to isolated areas. Despite hundreds of reports, those accused often face minimal or no reprisal. Attorney Michael Woelfel, who has helped settle 127 abuse cases in West Virginia, claims cries for justice often fall on deaf ears due to societal attitudes towards female criminals. Laws vary drastically between states, and in some places accused parties can’t be criminally charged if they’ve been compelled to speak about their actions. Furthermore, guards accused of misconduct can often retire, resign, or move facilities before investigations are completed.
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Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, a Montana man, was arrested for the murder of Dustin Kjersem, 35. Abbey stumbled upon Kjersem’s campsite, where he was invited to share a beer. At some point during their meeting, Abbey attacked Kjersem with a piece of wood, a screwdriver, and an ax, although the motives behind the attack are unknown. Abbey was later arrested and his DNA was found on a beer can at the scene. Abbey, who is being held without bond, confessed to the murder during an interview with detectives.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has implored western allies to devise robust strategies for aiding Ukraine as it braces for combat with North Korean soldiers on their soil. The plea surfaced as it was revealed that these troops are expected to fight with their Russian cohorts, with an estimated 8,000 North Korean forces having arrived in Russia’s Kursk Oblast for participation in the war. While these forces are yet to engage in warfare, President Zelensky foresees this occurring in a matter of days. As Zelensky calls for new military alliances, such as an Asian Security Alliance between Japan, South Korea and possibly China, to counter the Russia-North Korea collaboration, he urges the West and international institutions to react strongly to Putin’s testing of global reactions with the military build-up at Ukraine’s border.
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Major General Alexander Ogloblin, former head of Russia’s military communications department, has been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of 10 million rubles ($103,000) from a telecommunications company to secure defense ministry contracts. Ogloblin had already been sentenced to four and a half years for embezzlement in February 2022 but was released early after implicating his former superior, Vadim Shamarin, in his testimony. His second arrest comes following statements against him by Shamarin, as part of a plea deal with investigators. Shamarin was accused of receiving procurement kickbacks. The arrest is seen as a crackdown on serving and former defense officials linked to former defense minister Sergei Shoigu.
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US Green Party contender Jill Stein has rejected calls by over a dozen European Green parties to drop out of the US presidential race. They argue she could harm the chances of Joe Biden’s running mate Kamala Harris by splitting the left-wing vote in key states, thus potentially tipping the balance in Donald Trump’s favour. The European Greens wrote in an open letter that the race between Trump and Harris, compared to the 2016 contest, was “too close for comfort”. They also expressed the need for Kamala Harris as the US president to tackle global issues like climate change, and to bring stability to the Middle East. Stein has said she is “categorically not considering” quitting the campaign.
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John Q. Hosedrinker