Digital Arkansas News

Trump Endorses Rep. Zeldin For NY Governor, Calls On New Yorkers To Vote Republican In November https://digitalarkansasnews.com/trump-endorses-rep-zeldin-for-ny-governor-calls-on-new-yorkers-to-vote-republican-in-november/ Former President Donald Trump has announced his endorsement of Rep. Lee Zeldin in the race for governor of New York, telling voters that the Long Island Republican can resolve the state’s crime woes. “I have watched and known Congressman Lee Zeldin for many years. He is a great and brilliant lawyer who was a ‘must see’ for others in Congress when they had a complex legal problem that was holding up legislation,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Oct. 16. “Lee was strong on the Border, Crime, our great Military & Vets (like few others!), and fought hard to protect our 2nd Amendment, and succeeded,” Trump continued. “Lee Zeldin is a WINNER who GOT THINGS DONE. He will be a GREAT Governor of New York, and has my Complete & Total Endorsement.” New York gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) participates in the annual Columbus Day Parade, the largest in the country, in Manhattan, New York City, on Oct. 10, 2022. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) With about three weeks to go before the Nov. 8 election, Zeldin has made significant gains in polls against Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is seeking her first full term. According to polling data aggregator RealClearPolitics, Hochul held a double-digit lead over Zeldin in the summer, but that advantage has shrunk to a 5.3 percentage edge. On Oct. 15, RealClearPolitics changed the New York governor race from “lean Democrat” to “toss-up.” Zeldin seized on the rating change, telling voters on Twitter that “We have just 24 days to go until we FIRE @KathyHochul & save our state.” ‘Flip Our State Red’  Inflation and crime are the most crucial issues to Republican and Independent registered voters in New York, according to a recent Marist College poll (pdf) conducted over a four-day period early this month. The poll found that 42 percent of Republicans said inflation was the most important issue, while 27 percent ranked crime as the most important. Among Independents, 31 percent said inflation, while 20 percent said crime was the most pressing concern. The poll also found that Hochul led Zeldin by 10 percentage points. Crime in New York City jumped 15.2 percent, with 11,057 crimes in September compared to 9,596 in the same month last year, according to NYPD data. Bulgary, auto theft, and grand larceny were the categories of crime that saw the biggest increases, rising 22.7 percent, 21.5 percent, and 21.3 percent, respectively, compared to September 2021. If elected, Zeldin has said he will fire Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as part of his “law and order” plans to reduce crime in New York. The Hochul campaign’s spokesman, Jerrel Harvey, has since condemned Trump’s endorsement of Zeldin. In a statement, Harvey called Zeldin “the most extreme and dangerous candidate to ever run for governor in New York State history.” “While Trump’s endorsement doesn’t come as a surprise, becoming the former president’s handpicked choice for governor proves Zeldin’s full embrace of the MAGA agenda and shows just how out of touch he is with New York voters,” Harvey added. Hochul has also taken to Twitter to dismiss Trump’s endorsement, saying, “New Yorkers rejected Trump and they’ll do the same for Lee in November.” In the 2020 presidential election, then-Democrat candidate Joe Biden picked up 60.9 percent of the vote to Trump’s 37.7 percent. The last Republican presidential candidate to carry New York was Ronald Reagan in 1984. House GOP Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is optimistic about Zeldin’s chance, noting how the governor race has become a toss-up. “@leezeldin ’s strong campaign has given New Yorkers a once in a generation opportunity to FLIP our state red,” Stefanik wrote on Twitter on Oct. 16. “#NY21 is ready to turnout BIG time to help elect Lee and Save New York!” ‘Bring New York Back to Glory’  In a separate post on Sunday, Trump called on New Yorkers to vote for “the entire Republican Line.” “Remember, when you cast your vote for Governor and Attorney General in New York State, that Crime (and Taxes!) is OUT OF CONT[R]OL, with Murder and everything else at record levels—People are fleeing to other states,” Trump wrote. “The Democrats have done less than nothing, the criminals are in charge, and it will only get worse (if that’s even possible?).” Trump added, “A.G. Letitia James is a racist fraud who doesn’t care about violent crime. Vote for Lee Zeldin & the entire Republican Line. Bring New York BACK TO GLORY!!” Letitia James is seeking reelection as New York attorney general. She is being challenged by Republican candidate Michael Henry, a commercial litigation attorney from Queens. According to a four-day poll (pdf) ending on Oct. 3 by the Trafalgar Group, Henry led James by 1 percentage point. On Sept. 21, James filed a civil lawsuit against Trump, the Trump Organization, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump’s business associates over alleged fraud. The lawsuit claims that the Trump Organization deceived insurers, lenders, and tax officials by allegedly inflating the value of his assets. Trump attorney Alina Habba has said the lawsuit was politically-motivated. Henry has been endorsed by New York State Troopers PBA, the Police Conference of New York, the NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association, the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union, Council 8, and Nassau County Sheriff’s Correction Benevolent Association. “We welcome the opportunity to work with you after your victory in November knowing that once elected as Attorney General, under your guidance, faith in the Attorney General’s Office and the preservation of citizen freedom and rights will be restored,” said Ronald Walsh, president of NYS Law Enforcement Officers Union, Council 82, in endorsing Henry. Follow Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers US, China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master’s degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan. Read More Here

Hong Kong Protester Dragged Into Chinese Consulate In Manchester And Beaten https://digitalarkansasnews.com/hong-kong-protester-dragged-into-chinese-consulate-in-manchester-and-beaten/ British lawmakers and rights activists called for an investigation Monday into the case of a Hong Kong protester who was dragged into the Chinese Consulate in Manchester and beaten by staffers after he demonstrated against the Chinese government. According to the Hong Kong Indigenous Defense Force, which organized a rally to coincide with the opening of a Chinese Communist Party meeting in Beijing on Sunday, the protester was among about 60 people who had gathered outside the consulate to demonstrate against Chinese President Xi Jinping. Protest banners and flags calling for Hong Kong independence were draped outside the consulate. One poster was an image of Xi standing before a mirror wearing nothing but a crown and a pair of boxers — a play on the fable of the emperor’s new clothes. As one of the demonstrators began to speak, staff in riot gear emerged from the consulate and attempted to seize the poster from the protesters, according to a statement from the group. A demonstrator identified by the group only as Bob was holding up the painting when he was dragged into the consulate, where he was beaten by a group of men. Jimmy Chen, a 19-year-old who was at the gathering, said he saw the protester pulled through a gate into the consulate where he was attacked for around 30 seconds before a British police officer intervened and dragged him back out. “The event was calm until several people with bulletproof vests on came out from the consulate and started to tear down the posters,” he said. “Some protesters tried to stop them and got pushed back, so they ended up fighting.” Video captured at the scene showed the men punching and holding the demonstrator down on the ground. According to rally organizers, after British police stopped the attack they set up a cordon separating protesters from the consulate staff. The injured demonstrator was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition, the group said. The Chinese Consulate in Manchester confirmed the incident to The Washington Post but declined to comment further. The Chinese Embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment. “If the UK police had not intervened today, or if the assembly had taken place in Hong Kong or China, I am afraid that the peaceful protesters like us would have already been … disappeared,” the protester said, according to the group’s statement. On Monday, several British members of Parliament called on authorities to investigate the incident. Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, called for the Chinese ambassador to be summoned and for any consulate member involved in the beating to be expelled from the country. Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith demanded a full apology from the Chinese ambassador. .@SuellaBraverman & @JamesCleverly need to urgently investigate. The CCP will not import their beating of protestors and denial of free speech to British streets. Chinese Ambassador should be summoned & if any official has beaten protesters, they must be expelled or prosecuted. https://t.co/q7Nh55k8fG — Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Melton (@aliciakearns) October 16, 2022 Xi, who is expected to secure a third term at the party congress that began on Sunday, oversaw a severe crackdown on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement that culminated in a far-reaching national security law that has severely curtailed the city’s once active democracy movement. Read More Here

Classes Canceled In 2 Mass. Cities With Teacher Strikes Expected https://digitalarkansasnews.com/classes-canceled-in-2-mass-cities-with-teacher-strikes-expected/ School officials in Haverhill and Malden have canceled classes on Monday with teachers strikes expected to start in both Massachusetts cities.The president of the Malden Education Association, Deb Gesualdo, said that teachers will be on strike Monday after spending nearly 11 hours at the negotiating table with the Malden School Committee on Sunday alone.On Monday morning, teachers were demonstrating with signs outside the high school. “Since they have walked away from the table while we were still ready to bargain and our membership voted overwhelmingly on Friday to authorize this strike, if there was no agreement in writing by Sunday evening, the Malden Education Association members are on strike,” Gesualdo said.Gesualdo said both sides went back and forth on salary and that the union came down on their demands and felt close to a deal before the School Committee’s negotiating subcommittee called for a mediator and walked out for the night.”We’re at an impasse. We’re going to request the assistance of the Division of Labor Relations and request that the division assign up a mediator to continue these negotiations,” said school department attorney Howard Greenspan.Teachers in Malden say they will picket outside all seven of the district’s seven schools.Because of the threat of a teachers strike, Malden Public Schools officials canceled Monday’s classes. Although there is no school for students, the school district said all union and non-union employees will be required to report to work on Monday in schools and central offices.”The School Committee’s negotiating team and the MEA had an incredibly productive day of bargaining that ended in the committee making a significant number of agreements and a very competitive and unprecedented salary and benefits offer,” Malden Public School Superintendent Ligia Noriega-Murphy said in a statement. “Considering how much movement was made today, we would have hoped the bargaining could have continued at our next regularly scheduled meeting, and that no avoidable disruption to the education of our students and routine of our families would occur.”The news out of Malden came just hours after the Haverhill School Committee announced Monday’s classes are canceled after it was not able to reach an agreement on a new contract with the Haverhill Education Association, paving the way for a teachers strike.The School Committee said it spent hours at the negotiating table with the teachers union over the weekend in the hopes of avoiding a strike after HEA members overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike on Friday. Malden educators also overwhelmingly approved an authorization to strike in a vote held Friday afternoon.Negotiations in Haverhill are expected to resume at 8 a.m. Monday.In their contract negotiations, Haverhill and Malden educators have said they are seeking higher pay, smaller class sizes and safer school environments.While the school will be closed to students on Monday, the School Committee said buildings will be open and all employees are expected to report to work.Teacher strikes are illegal in Massachusetts since state law prohibits strikes by public employees, which makes them exceptionally rare in the commonwealth.”If they come to the table with a good deal, our team will sign it. I hope it’s tonight,” said Barry Davis, 1st vice president of the Haverhill Education Association. “But if we have to be on the (picket) line tomorrow, we will be.”Members of the Haverhill School Committee said they have offered teachers the biggest raise city educators have had in 20 years, but added that the Massachusetts Teachers Association wants the teachers to go on strike.”While some progress was made over the last few days, we are extremely disappointed that union leadership and the Massachusetts Teachers Association has encouraged our teachers to take this illegal action,” reads a statement from the Haverhill Negotiations Subcommittee.The school committee said that it, along with the Massachusetts Labor Relations Board, is asking a Salem Superior Court judge to issue a junction against the Haverhill Education Association for its strike.Negotiations will pick up at 8 a.m. Monday, according to the Haverhill School Committee.Haverhill students who have access to a free school lunch on Monday and free breakfast on Tuesday can get food at the following locations from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.:The Haverhill YMCA, 81 Winter St.The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill, 55 Emerson St.Swasey Field Park, 59 Blaisdell St.Haverhill Stadium, Lincoln and NettletonHaverhill Public Works Department – Parking Lot, 500 Primrose St.Winnekenni Castle – Tennis courts – 347 Kenoza Ave.Bradford CommonsCashman’s Park on Hilldale Ave.In addition, the Haverhill YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Haverhill will be open Monday for children who are presently enrolled in their programs.Parents of children who are registered for before-school or after-school programs at the YMCA will receive an email directly from the YMCA regarding childcare operations, including a full-day program from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.Parents of children who are not registered for YMCA programs but are enrolled in grades K-4 can sign up for a drop-in program at the Plaistow Community YMCA in New Hampshire from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Preregistration is required in advance.Haverhill students who are members of the local Boys and Girls Club are welcome to drop in at any time Monday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.Malden Public Schools officials said all before- and after-school programs, athletic practices and games, and other extracurricular activities scheduled for Monday have been canceled. There will also be no school bus transportation, except for a small number of Malden students who attend special education programs in schools outside the district. HAVERHILL, Mass. — School officials in Haverhill and Malden have canceled classes on Monday with teachers strikes expected to start in both Massachusetts cities. The president of the Malden Education Association, Deb Gesualdo, said that teachers will be on strike Monday after spending nearly 11 hours at the negotiating table with the Malden School Committee on Sunday alone. On Monday morning, teachers were demonstrating with signs outside the high school. “Since they have walked away from the table while we were still ready to bargain and our membership voted overwhelmingly on Friday to authorize this strike, if there was no agreement in writing by Sunday evening, the Malden Education Association members are on strike,” Gesualdo said. Gesualdo said both sides went back and forth on salary and that the union came down on their demands and felt close to a deal before the School Committee’s negotiating subcommittee called for a mediator and walked out for the night. “We’re at an impasse. We’re going to request the assistance of the Division of Labor Relations and request that the division assign up a mediator to continue these negotiations,” said school department attorney Howard Greenspan. Teachers in Malden say they will picket outside all seven of the district’s seven schools. Because of the threat of a teachers strike, Malden Public Schools officials canceled Monday’s classes. Although there is no school for students, the school district said all union and non-union employees will be required to report to work on Monday in schools and central offices. “The School Committee’s negotiating team and the MEA had an incredibly productive day of bargaining that ended in the committee making a significant number of agreements and a very competitive and unprecedented salary and benefits offer,” Malden Public School Superintendent Ligia Noriega-Murphy said in a statement. “Considering how much movement was made today, we would have hoped the bargaining could have continued at our next regularly scheduled meeting, and that no avoidable disruption to the education of our students and routine of our families would occur.” The news out of Malden came just hours after the Haverhill School Committee announced Monday’s classes are canceled after it was not able to reach an agreement on a new contract with the Haverhill Education Association, paving the way for a teachers strike. The School Committee said it spent hours at the negotiating table with the teachers union over the weekend in the hopes of avoiding a strike after HEA members overwhelmingly voted in favor of authorizing a strike on Friday. Malden educators also overwhelmingly approved an authorization to strike in a vote held Friday afternoon. Negotiations in Haverhill are expected to resume at 8 a.m. Monday. In their contract negotiations, Haverhill and Malden educators have said they are seeking higher pay, smaller class sizes and safer school environments. While the school will be closed to students on Monday, the School Committee said buildings will be open and all employees are expected to report to work. Teacher strikes are illegal in Massachusetts since state law prohibits strikes by public employees, which makes them exceptionally rare in the commonwealth. “If they come to the table with a good deal, our team will sign it. I hope it’s tonight,” said Barry Davis, 1st vice president of the Haverhill Education Association. “But if we have to be on the (picket) line tomorrow, we will be.” Members of the Haverhill School Committee said they have offered teachers the biggest raise city educators have had in 20 years, but added that the Massachusetts Teachers Association wants the teachers to go on strike. “While some progress was made over the last few days, we are extremely disappointed that union leadership and the Massachusetts Teachers Association has encouraged our teachers to take this illegal action,” reads a statement from the Haver...

A 'game-Changer' For Millions Of Americans: You Can Now Buy Hearing Aids Over The Counter | CNN https://digitalarkansasnews.com/a-game-changer-for-millions-of-americans-you-can-now-buy-hearing-aids-over-the-counter-cnn/ CNN  —  Pete Couste said it was his wife who first noticed that he was turning up the TV louder than she liked. “I couldn’t hear the words in movies as much anymore,” admitted Couste, who lives just outside Washington, DC. Watching TV isn’t Couste’s only problem. In his church choir, he can’t always hear his part and get the pitch right. It’s also affected his work at the Fire Safety Research Institute, a nonprofit that generates safety research. The 61-year-old said he feels less effective judging audio quality when his team makes their life-saving videos for firefighters. “It is affecting all parts of my life,” he said. He saw an audiologist who said he needed hearing aids, but they would have cost him more than $6,000. “I thought, ‘Maybe this can wait,’ ” Couste said. That was seven years ago. The wait may be over for Couste and millions of other Americans. On Monday, for the first time, adults with mild to moderate hearing loss in the US will be able to buy over-the-counter hearing aids. Those who are under 18 or who have severe hearing loss will still need a prescription. In July, President Joe Biden signed an executive order meant to promote competition; it encouraged the US Food and Drug Administration allow over-the-counter, prescription-free hearing aids, and the FDA announced the long-awaited rule change in August. The move ushers in options that should be cheaper and possibly even better. Now, instead of getting a prescription and having a custom fitting with a hearing health professional, adults can buy hearing aids directly from a store or online. Some doctors estimate that 90% of the population with hearing loss could benefit from these over-the-counter devices. Experts say the move is a “game-changer.” “We’ve been working for years for affordable and accessible hearing health care,” said Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America. “We’re really looking forward to Monday.” Couste is certainly not alone in forgoing hearing aids because they were too expensive, Kelley said. Only about 16% of the tens of millions of people with hearing loss use a hearing aid, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The number of people with hearing loss is substantial. About 1 in 8 people in the US ages 12 and older has hearing loss in both ears, and the rate increases significantly with age. About a quarter of people 65 to 74 have hearing loss, and that goes up to 50% around age 75. On average, people spend at least $4,000 out of pocket for devices for both ears, according to a 2020 study published in the medical journal JAMA. Prices can vary: Large retailers may offer a pair for about $1,400, but some can cost as much as $6,000 per ear, depending on the technology. The FDA rule allowing for over-the-counter hearing aids didn’t change how the devices are covered. While private insurers pay for treatment after the loss of a limb or even cover the cost of Viagra, most do not cover hearing aids. Most Medicare plans won’t pay for them, either. Only about half of state Medicaid programs do. Until now, five companies have controlled 90% of the global marketplace for hearing aids. That kind of consolidation meant there was little price competition. With the change, many more companies are expected to enter the market. Experts say that existing manufacturers will also develop lower-cost over-the-counter devices in addition to their current offerings. The White House said Monday that hearing aids are available or coming soon at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Best Buy and Hy-Vee, with some models priced as low as about $200 for a pair. Sony has a couple of models that pair with an app that lets users personalize settings and find additional support. The CRE-C10 sells for $999.99 and has a battery life for up to 70 hours of continuous use. The CRE-E10 has more of an earbud-like design and a rechargeable battery; it is Bluetooth compatible to stream music or audio. It will be available for $1,299.99 on the Sony website and at Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers. Bose also teamed up with Lexie Hearing to offer the B1 model for $899 a pair. The B2, for $999, adds a rechargeable battery that works for up to 18 hours. Both models are Bluetooth-enabled, can be tuned by the wearer and pair with a mobile app for support. They’ll be sold online, at drugstores and at stores like Best Buy. Best Buy says that nearly 300 of its stores will offer a “hearing experience,” which will include about 10 over-the-counter hearing aids and PSAPs, or personal sound amplification products. Those enhance sound but don’t need to meet FDA standards, unlike hearing aids, which have to meet the FDA’s high standards for labeling, manufacturing and safety, like other medical devices. Best Buy is encouraging customers to take a hearing assessment on its website before coming into the store to work with trained associates to pick out a new device. Hearing aids aren’t just nice to have; they are essential for physical and mental health. People with hearing loss who do not have hearing aids are more likely to report poor health overall, and they are less likely to leave home or exercise, studies have found. There’s a link between hearing loss and general frailty and an increasing risk of falls, which are the second leading cause of unintentional deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Association. Several studies have also found an link between hearing loss and poorer mental health and psychosocial health. Hearing loss can lead to depression, loneliness and isolation – even dementia. With hearing aids becoming easier to access, “I have a big smile on my face right now,” said Dr. Frank Lin, director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health. He has been consulting with the government on this issue for eight years. Lin said there has been little innovation in this space because of the way the market has been regulated. “In 1977, because of the technology at the time, the only way for hearing aids to be safe and effective is if they were programmed and fitted and professionally adjusted by a licensed provider,” he said. “But the market and that technology has changed dramatically. “This will allow companies like Samsung, Apple, Google – companies that are already making innovative earbuds – they can now enter the market. They really couldn’t before.” Kelley said that if you plan to buy an OTC hearing aid, make sure to read the return policy. The FDA did not require companies to offer one, as Kelley’s group pushed, but any return policy should be listed on the package. Check how long you have before you can return them, too. Hearing aids are different than glasses; it can take your brain up to four weeks to adjust to hearing in a new way. Test them in different circumstances over a few weeks to see whether they’re the right fit. Do they help in a crowded room, or are they better at work? It’s not one size fits all. Couste said he will check with his insurance company to see whether it will pick up any of the cost of an OTC device. But finally, after all these years, he thinks he’ll soon be able to hear better. “I am looking forward to it,” Couste said. “I truly am.” Read More Here

RE/MAX National Housing Report For September 2022 https://digitalarkansasnews.com/re-max-national-housing-report-for-september-2022/ Inventory Grows, Home Prices Drop as Homes Take Longer to Sell , /PRNewswire/ — Typical for this time of year, September home sales declined 9.7% from August across the report’s 53 metro areas. That led to inventory climbing to two months’ supply for the first time in nearly two years – an encouraging sign of a more balanced market to come. September’s Median Sales Price of $400,000 was 6.1% lower than the year-high of $426,100 in June. The Median Sales Price dropped 1.2% below August’s but was 6.7% above September 2021. The average Close-to-List Price Ratio in September was 99%, meaning that homes sold for 1% less than the asking price for the second consecutive month after being at 100% or above through the first seven months of 2022. Despite inventory growing 3.9% over August and 30.4% year-over-year, New Listings were down 7.6% month to month and down 11.4% compared to September 2021. “After a sustained period of quick sales that kept the housing cupboard relatively bare, a supply of two months presents a lot more options for homebuyers,” said Nick Bailey, RE/MAX President and CEO. “For a long time, six months of inventory was the standard for a balanced market that favored buyers and sellers evenly. Now, with the evolution of technology and various changes in homebuying patterns, the new standard is becoming four months. We’re halfway to that level, and the market is making steady progress toward balance. Home sales are still happening, and having the right real estate professional by your side is critical for consumers looking to take advantage of the market conditions.” Added Tim Morgan of RE/MAX Insight in Manchester, VT, “We’ve seen a changing market this fall. While the demand for quality housing is still high, some potential buyers have pumped the brakes on their home search due to recent interest rate hikes. We are seeing an increase in inventory which has created a great opportunity for those who need to sell their home in order to buy. Houses are still selling quickly, but we are just not seeing as much of the 5%+ overbidding as we were this past spring.” Other notable metrics include: September’s two months’ supply of inventory jumped from 1.6 months in August and 1.3 months a year ago. The National Association of REALTORS® last reported months’ supply of inventory above two in November of 2020, when it was 2.3. The number of homes for sale has grown in five of the past six months. Year-over-year, September home sales were down 23.5%. Days on Market averaged 34, five days higher than July and six days more than September 2021. Highlights and local market metrics for September include: New Listings  Of the 53 metro areas surveyed in September 2022, the number of newly listed homes was down 7.6% compared to August 2022, and down 11.4% compared to September 2021. The markets with the biggest decrease in year-over-year new listings percentage were Dover, DE at -31.1%, Hartford, CT at -28.9%, and Bozeman, MT at -24.5%. Leading the year-over-year new listings percentage increase were New Orleans, LA at +95.2%, Trenton, NJ at +29.4%, and Washington, DC at +15.0%. New Listings: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Decrease Market Sep 2022 New Listings Sep 2021 New Listings Year-over- Year % Change Dover, DE 364 528 -31.1 % Hartford, CT 1,262 1,775 -28.9 % Bozeman, MT 222 294 -24.5 % Minneapolis, MN 5,964 7,717 -22.7 % Anchorage, AK 520 670 -22.4 % Closed Transactions  Of the 53 metro areas surveyed in September 2022, the overall number of home sales was down 9.7% compared to August 2022, and down 23.5% compared to September 2021. The markets with the biggest decrease in year-over-year sales percentage were Las Vegas, NV at -39.4%, Bozeman, MT at -38.4%, and Salt Lake City, UT at -36.5%. Only one metro area had a year-over-year sales percentage increase: New Orleans, LA at +10.4%. Closed Transactions: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Decrease Market Sep 2022 Transactions Sep 2021 Transactions Year-over- Year % Change Las Vegas, NV 2,548 4,202 -39.4 % Bozeman, MT 183 297 -38.4 % Salt Lake City, UT 1,110 1,747 -36.5 % San Diego, CA 2,367 3,664 -35.4 % Tampa, FL 4,256 6,483 -34.4 % Median Sales Price – Median of 53 metro area prices In September 2022, the median of all 53 metro area sales prices was $400,000, down 1.2% compared to August 2022, and up 6.7% from September 2021. One metro area saw a year-over-year decrease in median sales price: New Orleans, LA at -1.4%. Twenty-three metro areas increased year-over-year by double-digit percentages, led by Bozeman, MT at +22.9%, Burlington, VT at +18.3%, and Miami, FL at +17.6%. Median Sales Price: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Increase Market Sep 2022 Median Sales Price Sep 2021 Median Sales Price Year-over- Year % Change Bozeman, MT $719,000 $585,000 +22.9 % Burlington, VT $420,000 $355,000 +18.3 % Miami, FL $435,000 $370,000 +17.6 % Omaha, NE $285,000 $245,000 +16.3 % Orlando, FL $385,000 $332,000 +16.0 % Close-to-List Price Ratio – Average of 53 metro area prices In September 2022, the average close-to-list price ratio of all 53 metro areas in the report was 99%, flat compared to August 2022, and down from 101% in September 2021. The close-to-list price ratio is calculated by the average value of the sales price divided by the list price for each transaction. When the number is above 100%, the sale closed for more than the list price. If it’s less than 100%, the home sold for less than the list price. The metro areas with the lowest close-to-list price ratio were Miami, FL at 95%, followed by a five-way tie between Bozeman, MT, New Orleans, LA, Coeur d’Alene, ID, Phoenix, AZ, and Las Vegas, NV at 97%. The highest close-to-list price ratios were in Burlington, VT at 104%, Hartford, CT at 102%, followed by a six-way tie between Richmond, VA, Manchester, NH, San Francisco, CA, St Louis, MO, Trenton, NJ, and Boston, MA at 101%. Close-to-List Price Ratio: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Decrease Market Sep 2022 Close-to-List Price Ratio Sep 2021 Close-to-List Price Ratio Year-over- Year Difference San Francisco, CA 101.1 % 107.5 % -6.4 % Seattle, WA 98.4 % 103.4 % -5.0 % Raleigh, NC 99.7 % 103.5 % -3.8 % Phoenix, AZ 97.0 % 100.3 % -3.3 % Nashville, TN 97.9 % 101.0 % -3.0 % Days on Market – Average of 53 metro areas The average days on market for homes sold in September 2022 was 34, up five days from the average in August 2022, and up six days from the average in September 2021. Days on market is the number of days between when a home is first listed in an MLS and a sales contract is signed. The metro areas with the lowest days on market were Dover, DE at 11, Baltimore, MD at 13, followed by a three-way tie between Manchester, NH, Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC at 16. The highest days on market averages were in Fayetteville, AR at 65, New York, NY at 58, and Seattle, WA at 53. Days on Market: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Increase Market Sep 2022 Days on Market Sep 2021 Days on Market Year-over- Year % Change Salt Lake City, UT 41 19 +109.1 % Tampa, FL 35 18 +94.6 % Denver, CO 28 15 +86.8 % Orlando, FL 38 22 +75.5 % Las Vegas, NV 40 23 +70.9 % Months’ Supply of Inventory – Average of 53 metro areas The number of homes for sale in September 2022 was up 3.9% from August 2022 and up 30.4% from September 2021. Based on the rate of home sales in September 2022, the months’ supply of inventory increased to 2.0 compared to 1.6 in August 2022, and increased compared to 1.3 in September 2021. In September 2022, the markets with the lowest months’ supply of inventory were Albuquerque, NM at 0.9, followed by a five-way tie between Charlotte, NC, Dover, DE, Hartford, CT, Manchester, NH, and Trenton, NJ at 1.0. Months’ Supply of Inventory: 5 Markets with the Biggest YoY Increase Market Sep 2022 Months’ Supply of Inventory Sep 2021 Months’ Supply of Inventory Year-over- Year % Change Raleigh, NC 2.4 0.5 +389.1 % Las Vegas, NV 4.3 1.1 +270.7 % Salt Lake City, UT 3.0 0.8 +264.2 % Bozeman, MT 3.8 1.2 +211.0 % Tampa, FL 2.4 0.8 +204.3 % To request an interview, please contact [email protected]. About the RE/MAX Network As one of the leading global real estate franchisors, RE/MAX, LLC is a subsidiary of RE/MAX Holdings (NYSE: RMAX) with more than 140,000 agents in almost 9,000 offices and a presence in more than 110 countries and territories. Nobody in the world sells more real estate than RE/MAX, as measured by residential transaction sides. RE/MAX was founded in 1973 by Dave and Gail Liniger, with an innovative, entrepreneurial culture affording its agents and franchisees the flexibility to operate their businesses with great independence. RE/MAX agents have lived, worked and served in their local communities for decades, raising millions of dollars every year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® and other charities. To learn more about RE/MAX, to search home listings or find an agent in your community, please visit www.remax.com. For the latest news about RE/MAX, please visit news.remax.com. Report Details Beginning with the April 2022 report, RE/MAX is using a new source for aggregated data. The RE/MAX National Housing Report is distributed monthly on or about the 15th. The Report is based on MLS data for the stated month in 53 metropolitan areas, includes single-family residential property types, and is not annualized. For maximum representation, most of the largest metro areas in the country are represented, and an attempt is made to include at least one metro area in almost every state. Metro areas are defined by the Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Definitions Closed Tr...

Looking Back At Arkansas’ Keys To Defeat BYU https://digitalarkansasnews.com/looking-back-at-arkansas-keys-to-defeat-byu/ FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas defeated BYU 52-35 on Saturday to allow the team to head into the bye week with some momentum while they try to get some players healed up for the final five games. This reporter predicted the Hogs would be 4-3 at this point of the season. Now I had them beating Texas A&M and losing to BYU, but still would be 4-3. The key for Arkansas now is some players healthy, particularly in the secondary, and then face Auburn on Oct. 29. On Friday, a story listed the 5 keys for Arkansas to defeat BYU. Here’s a look back at how the Hogs did on each of those keys. Don’t Allow BYU to Both Run, Pass at Will What I Wrote Mississippi State had its way on offense against the Arkansas defense last Saturday. The Arkansas secondary has been dealing with injuries all season and it only got worse against the Bulldogs. Jalen Catalon and LaDarrius Bishop are out for the season. Myles Slusher didn’t make the trip to Starkville and then both Khari and Jayden Johnson left the game with injuries. The Bulldogs scored 40 points while piling up 568 yards of offense. They rushed for 173 yards and passed for another 395. The Hogs simply can’t let BYU do the same thing which they are capable of doing. BYU is averaging 32 points per game and putting up 417.8 yards of offense each outing. Of that total, 264.3 comes through the air and 153.5 on the ground. The Hogs will have to pressure quarterback Jaren Hall which they didn’t do to Mississippi State’s Will Rogers. Sam Pittman talked about applying pressure to Hall. “We’re going to have to pressure him because I believe he’ll pick us apart if we don’t,” Pittman said. “We’re going to have to stop the run and then we’ve got to pressure him, because if we don’t, I think he’s really good and a really accurate thrower and his receivers are big. They’re 6-2 and better.” What Happened Arkansas actually passed this key somewhat. Yes they allowed 35 points to a team averaging 32, but they didn’t just allow BYU to dictate the game. Mississippi State did what they wanted when they wanted against the Hogs, but BYU couldn’t do that. BYU had 471 yards of offense which is more than they were averaging (417.8) coming in. But Arkansas did get some stops with Hudson Clark picking off a pass and coming up with an interception as well. BYU helped the Arkansas defense maybe more than the Hogs helped themselves. BYU chose to go for a fourth-and-one play at its own 34 leading 21-17. A fumbled exchange between the center and quarterback resulted Arkansas getting the ball there. The Hogs covered the 34 yards in five plays with KJ Jefferson tossing a 4-yard touchdown pass to Matt Landers for a 24-21 lead the Razorbacks never surrendered. They BYU coach is known as a gambler, but this gamble backfired on him and the team in a big way. Cut Down on Penalties What I Wrote Arkansas has shot itself in the foot many times this season with penalties. Last week was no different. They had 10 penalties for 84 yards compared to four for 45 by the Bulldogs. That has been similar to many other games this season. It seems odd for a Pittman team to still be committing so many penalties heading into Week 7. Arkansas needs to reduce that number to three or four penalties on Saturday to help its chances of winning. What Happened The Razorbacks had seven for 98 yards with most of those being pass interference calls. BYU had four penalties for 50 yards. The Hogs did reduce the penalties by three from the Mississippi State game though the yards increased by 14. However, given the fact Arkansas was missing five defensive backs entering the game and then lost cornerback Malik Chavis who got his bell rung it’s hard to be too harsh on Arkansas for the pass interference calls. The one on Chavis before he left the game was very questionable as was the same call on BYU later in the game. It seemed like both were good no calls. Seven penalties is still too many, but once again given how short the Hogs are in the secondary hard to not understand the pass interference calls. Improve Red Zone Production What I Wrote Arkansas had three trips to the red zone on Saturday and came away with one touchdown. Two times they came up empty and that will only lead to get them getting blown out on Saturday if those stats continue. Getting KJ Jefferson back will help, but they have had their issues even when Jefferson was in the game at times. They have to at least come away with three points in the red zone while obviously six is much preferred. But empty possessions two of the three times leads to the other team taking an easy win. What Happened The Hogs definitely passed this key with flying colors. Seven trips to the BYU red zone resulted in five touchdowns and a Cam Little field goal. Sam Pittman will take that production each time. Rocket Sanders scored on a 16-yard run. Jefferson found tight end Trey Knox for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Little booted a 34-yard field goal. As noted earlier, Jefferson found Landers for a 4-yard touchdown. Jefferson passed 15 yards to running back Rashod Dubinion for a touchdown. Jefferson also had a 5-yard touchdown pass to Landers. Win the Turnover Battle What I Wrote Arkansas had numerous chances to pick off Rogers last Saturday and they came up empty. The defensive backs and linebacker had their hands on balls and didn’t haul them in. If they get a chance to pick off a pass they need to capitalize on it. Also, the Arkansas offense needs to play a clean game and not turn the ball over. They had two interceptions against the Bulldogs. Jefferson has only thrown one interception all year and that bounced off a receiver’s hands and should have been a completion. But Jefferson and the running backs have had issues with fumbles at times. Arkansas needs to create some turnovers and not commit them on Saturday. What Happened The Razorbacks did indeed win the turnover battle. Arkansas lost one fumble in the game. BYU had two fumbles and an interception. Arkansas scored 14 points off turnovers while BYU came up empty with the one turnover they got. Have Success Running the Football What I Wrote Rocket Sanders leads the SEC in rushing and is having a very good season. Notre Dame ran on BYU and the Hogs need to do the same. If Arkansas can run the ball and have success that will also help open up the passing game. A good balanced offense should allow the Hogs to put points on the scoreboard, keep the defense on the sidelines allowing them to get some rest in the altitude in Provo and also keep the crowd out of the game. What Happened Arkansas rushed for 277 yards so they definitely passed this key as well. Sanders had 15 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns. AJ Green also had a good game rushing 11 times for 51 yards and catching two passes for 45 yards. Jefferson had 10 carries for 32 yards as well. The Hogs also passed for 367 yards in the game. Read More Here

Arkansas's Top Business Stories For October 17, 2022 https://digitalarkansasnews.com/arkansass-top-business-stories-for-october-17-2022/ Lance Turner provides the top business stories for October 17, 2022 including the Hunger Relief nonprofit staying in Little Rock. Author: thv11.com Published: 7:02 AM CDT October 17, 2022 Updated: 7:02 AM CDT October 17, 2022 Read More…

For Biden And Trump, 2022 Is 2020 Sequel — And 2024 Preview? https://digitalarkansasnews.com/for-biden-and-trump-2022-is-2020-sequel-and-2024-preview/ Politics A recent AP-NORC poll shows only about 3 in 10 Americans want either Biden or Trump to run for president in two years. This combination of photos shows former President Donald Trump, left, and President Joe Biden, right. AP Photo/File By CHRIS MEGERIAN, Associated Press October 17, 2022 | 7:53 AM WASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race — and a potential preview of the next one. Donald Trump, who refused to exit the stage after his defeat, has spent months raging against Joe Biden, reshaping downballot campaigns that normally function as a straightforward referendum on the incumbent president. The result is an episode of political shadowboxing with little precedent, as the current president and his immediate predecessor — and possible future challenger — crisscross the country in support of their party’s candidates. Trump has been holding raucous rallies in battleground states, where he alternates between touting his handpicked candidates and denouncing his enemies. He belittles and excoriates Biden while lying, as he did in Ohio last month, that “we didn’t lose” the last election. Biden has so far steered clear of some of the tightest midterm races, instead focusing on fundraisers and official events where he draws contrasts between Democratic and Republican policy agendas. He often avoids direct references to “the last guy,” but on Saturday in Oregon, Biden warned that “Trump controls the Republican Party.” Sometimes the two men travel to the same places, such as when they visited Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, within days of each other, a reflection of the narrow political map that will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. “It’s remarkably unusual,” said Jeffrey Engel, founding director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University, who strained to think of any comparison in previous election cycles. “Without exception, since the Great Depression” — Republican Herbert Hoover tried to plot a path back to power despite losing to Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932 — “we have not had a former president who believed they still had a viable political career ahead of them,” he said. Neither Trump nor Biden has formally announced they will run again. Trump has come close to declaring his candidacy, and Biden has said he intends to seek a second term. If they face off again, the competition between them could become one of the longest and impactful political duels in American history, spanning several years and multiple elections. Voters seem to have little appetite for a rematch. A recent AP-NORC poll shows only about 3 in 10 Americans want either Biden or Trump to run for president in two years. Just 5 in 10 Democrats want Biden to seek a second term, while 6 out of 10 Republicans hope to see Trump seek the presidency again. Engel said another battle between Biden and Trump would likely prove dispiriting. “What that fundamentally means is our country is not moving forward,” he said. “I have not met anybody who relishes that campaign.” However, it’s clear that both men see their fortunes tied to the other. When CNN’s Jake Tapper asked Biden whether he’s the only one who could fend off his predecessor in another campaign, the president sidestepped the question but expressed confidence about his chances. “I believe I can beat Donald Trump again,” he said. Trump would take issue with the use of the word “again” — he continues to spread the lie that Biden only took office through voter fraud. It’s an integral part of Trump’s political message, and he never fails to bring it up at rallies for Republican candidates who have endorsed his false views on the last election. Sometimes the rhetoric dives even deeper into conspiracies, a reminder that another campaign could represent an even sharper break with reality. In Arizona, during his most recent rally, Trump darkly suggested that Biden is surrounded by “vicious, very smart people” who are “pulling strings.” “No one thought this could happen in our country, and it all happened because of a rigged and stolen election,” he said. The former president has also tightened his embrace of the QAnon conspiracy theory, which portrays Trump as battling sinister, hidden forces. Using his Truth Social platform, Trump shared an image of himself wearing a Q lapel pin overlaid with the words “The Storm is Coming,” referencing his eventual victory over opponents who would be tried — or even executed — on live television. People close to Trump have said they believe a strong performance by Republicans in November will further encourage Trump to run again in two years, as he has been openly teasing for months. In addition to his rallies, which earn candidates local media attention and fire up the Republican base, Trump has been helping candidates in other ways, holding fundraisers and tele-rally calls on their behalf. Most significantly, last week, his new super PAC, MAGA Inc., reserved nearly $5 million in airtime for ads in key states attacking the opponents of his favored candidates. The first round of ads from the group notably do not feature Trump or even mention his name. Republicans have expressed frustration that Trump was hoarding small-dollar donations for himself and refusing to help the candidates he had pushed voters to nominate, despite sitting on an enormous war chest. But Mike DuHaime, a longtime Republican strategist, isn’t sure the outcome of the midterms will make a difference in Trump’s plans for the next presidential race. “He’ll take credit for every win and deflect blame for every loss,” he said. Trump has claimed, as he did in Pennsylvania last month, that the midterms are “a referendum on the corruption and extremism of Joe Biden and the radical Democrat party.” But DuHaime said Trump has prevented that from happening by injecting himself into this year’s races, providing a boost to Biden, whose poll numbers remain underwater as voters express concerns about the economy. “Trump is no ordinary president, nor did he really seem to care about the party,” he said. “He seems to care about himself more than the party that put him in office.” Biden’s circle has a similar view. An adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conversations, said those around Biden see the midterms as having become more of a choice than a referendum. Trump’s presence on the trail, the adviser said, is seen as helping make Democratic points for them. Celinda Lake, a Democratic pollster, said the only thing more helpful would be if Trump announced another presidential campaign. “He’s getting dangerously close to that,” she said. Biden has deferred any announcement about his own candidacy until after Election Day, keeping his focus on the midterms. Like other incumbent presidents in an election year, Biden has blended his political and governmental duties as voting begins. He stopped in Colorado on Wednesday to designate the first national monument of his administration, fulfilling the wishes of the state’s senior Democratic senator, Michael Bennett, who is seeking reelection this year. Although Bennett is favored to win, he’s facing a concerted challenge from Joe O’Dea, a Republican businessman. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in New York and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report. Read More Here

Democrats In Tight Races Are Asking For Biden's Help (No, Not That Biden) https://digitalarkansasnews.com/democrats-in-tight-races-are-asking-for-bidens-help-no-not-that-biden/ From left: Casey Desantis and her husband, Gov. Ron DeSantis, accompany first lady Jill Biden and President Joe Biden during a visit to survey storm damage in Fort Myers, Fla. on Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2022. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) ORLANDO, Fla. — Jill Biden’s weekend included five flights, 11 events and three appearances with Democrats who all requested her help before the midterm elections. There was also a spin class in there somewhere. During one particularly busy 27-hour chunk of time, Biden, the first lady, appeared in Atlanta, where voting rights activist Stacey Abrams is in an uphill race against Brian Kemp, the Republican governor. Then it was on to Florida, where she toured a breast cancer research facility and gave an interview to Newsmax, a conservative network. After that, she appeared with Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., who hopes to unseat Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Charlie Crist, a centrist Democrat, trails Gov. Ron DeSantis, a conservative firebrand. “It’s not going to be easy,” Biden, on the last leg of a 15-hour day, told a group of people at a second event to support Demings on Saturday. “But we know how to win because we’ve done it before.” Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times With President Joe Biden’s job approval hovering at about 40% at a moment when Democrats are struggling to hold onto the House and Senate, Jill Biden, 71, has become a lifeline for candidates trying to draw attention and money but not the baggage that an appearance with her husband would bring. According to a senior White House official, she is the most requested surrogate in the administration. “She does not offend people in a way that a president can because she’s much less polarizing and political,” said Michael LaRosa, a communications strategist and her former press secretary. “It’s why she was sent all over rural Iowa and New Hampshire during the campaign and why she can go places now that the president can’t.” Modern first ladies are usually relied on to humanize their husbands or translate their policies, but how much they decide to engage is almost always up to them. Melania Trump was more popular than her husband, Donald, and was a much-requested surrogate, but she did not campaign for him during the 2018 midterms or during the 2020 campaign, often saying she was too busy parenting her son or tied up with her own engagements as first lady. Michelle Obama was largely viewed as a secret weapon for Democrats before the 2010 midterms, when she campaigned with personal stories about her family. But she spent large stretches of time away from politics, and her popularity was not able to counter the losses the Democrats sustained in the House and Senate that year. There are risks involved for women who try to do too much: When Democrats lost their House majority in 1994, enough people blamed Hillary Rodham Clinton’s efforts to reinvent health care that she publicly apologized. Lauren Wright, a professor at Princeton who has written extensively about political appearances by first ladies, said the East Wing under Jill Biden, who kept teaching as an English professor as first lady, has become completely intertwined with the political efforts of the West Wing. “This role has become so serious and political,” she said. “It must be part of the strategic White House planning and effort. Otherwise you’re wasting opportunities.” As first lady, Biden has traveled to 40 states, and lately, she has tucked a plethora of political visits into trips that spotlight her policy interests. On Thursday, she taught a full day of classes at Northern Virginia Community College before flying to Fort Benning in Georgia, where she visited with military families. Her political appearances began Friday evening, when she stood in the foyer of a home with Abrams and asked about 75 attendees, mostly women, to step closer to her. Then she took aim at Kemp and the policies that he supports, including a law he signed that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, and another that limits voting access. “I know that makes you angry,” she told them. “And it should make you angry.” Her presence is not just a morale boost for Democrats in close races: She is a fundraising draw who appeals to grassroots supporters, and people are more likely to donate if she’s asking, according to a spokesperson who works for the Democratic National Committee who was not authorized to speak publicly. Her events, emails, text messages and mailings have drawn millions of dollars for Democrats. In Atlanta, she told her audience that she knew they had already donated, but “I’m asking you to dig a little deeper.” (Each had already paid at least $1,000 to attend the event.) The whole appearance took about 20 minutes, and then she was on the road to the next event, slipping out through a kitchen door with a coterie of aides. By Saturday morning, Biden was in Florida — her second visit there this month — where she started the day on a bike at a spin studio in Fort Lauderdale with several aides. (Aside from finding boutique fitness classes when she travels, she is also an avid runner and has said the exercise “creates a sense of balance in my life.”) Then she stopped for a coffee (black, no sugar) with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., in Fort Lauderdale before the two of them toured a breast cancer research facility. Biden delivered an interview focused on breast cancer awareness with the host of a show on Newsmax, then she flew to Orlando, where she appeared with Crist and Demings in front of City Hall, clasping hands and holding their arms up in a victory gesture. Biden, who recently spent time in Florida with her husband and DeSantis to tour storm damage from Hurricane Ian, offered her pointed assessment of the state government: “This state deserves a governor who will get to work for all of Florida’s families.” After the event, Jill Biden, surrounded on all sides by Secret Service agents, walked down from the steps of City Hall and toward a group of people who wanted to shake her hand. The first lady is not the only Democrat crisscrossing the country before the midterms. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a smooth-talking Midwesterner and potential future presidential candidate, is also high on the list of popular surrogates. Vice President Kamala Harris has an approval rating lower than the president’s, but she has been sent across the country to energize young voters on issues including abortion rights and student loans. Jill Biden is used differently. The first lady has long been thought of in Biden world as a “closer”: a surrogate they rely on to travel to corners of the country that her husband cannot easily reach, ideologically or geographically. White House officials believe she appeals to suburban women and can communicate to Americans “beyond the Twitterverse and cable news chatter,” according to Elizabeth Alexander, her communications director. Compared with her husband, Biden is the more disciplined communicator. Her missteps, which are rare, have occurred not off the cuff but during the speeches she works to commit to memory. Over the summer, she was criticized when she compared the diversity of the Hispanic community to the breadth of breakfast taco options available in Texas. She is incredibly protective of her husband and has been involved in the hiring of his press staff and other senior aides. (She vetted Jen Psaki, Biden’s first press secretary, alongside her husband.) She has been direct when she believes they have not protected him: After Joe Biden delivered a nearly 2-hour news conference in January, members of his senior staff were rehashing the appearance in the Treaty Room when the first lady appeared. She pointedly asked the group, which included the president, why nobody stepped in to stop it, according to a person who was in the room. Where was the person, she demanded, who was supposed to end the news conference? The first lady is also Biden’s staunchest defender on the campaign trail: Within each interaction, each visit or even each naysayer, she sees an opportunity to extol her husband’s accomplishments — and maybe change someone’s mind. In event after event, people try to come close to her, for a picture or a hug or, sometimes, to air their grievances. This year, as they did on the 2020 campaign, Democrats have approached her at events to share their thoughts about the president, including suggesting that he is too old for the presidency. She replies by ticking off her husband’s accomplishments, his travel schedule and his victory over Trump. “I’ve been to places where they think Joe is the best thing ever,” she said next to Abrams on Friday in Atlanta. “And there have been times when I’ve been met with anger or hurt. But I’ve also found that the values that united us are really deeper than our divisions.” Polling shows that Americans have mixed feelings about her. A CNN survey this summer found that about 34% of Americans had a favorable opinion of her, compared with 29% who said their view was unfavorable. Almost as many people — 28% — had no opinion, and 9% said they had never heard of her. That poll also found that she performed well with women and Black voters, and people from both groups turned out to see her as she went from event to event over the weekend. In speeches designed to warm up a crowd and draw laughs, she shared several snapshots of her life story: “When I first met Joe, I felt really kind of out of touch with his world in D.C.,” she said. “On our first date, I remember saying, ‘Thank God I voted for him.’ ” As the sun was setting in Orlando on Saturday evening, she repurposed a story that she recently shared for the first time, telling supporters that she once helped a ...

Trump’s ‘Complete & Total Endorsement’ https://digitalarkansasnews.com/trumps-complete-total-endorsement/ Former President Donald Trump has given Rep. Lee Zeldin his “Complete & Total Endorsement” for governor of New York. Trump’s Sunday statement on Truth Social praised Zeldin as a “brilliant lawyer” and for his record in Congress on border issues, crime, veterans and the Second Amendment. “Lee Zeldin is a WINNER who GOT THINGS DONE,” Trump wrote. The unsurprising endorsement, just over three weeks out from Election Day, drives dollars and excitement from the Republican base. It’s also another example of Zeldin embracing resources from the Trump faction of the GOP, rather than courting moderate Democrats or independent voters he would need to win over statewide as a Republican. It’s more likely a deterrent for them. Trump remains unpopular among voters in his first home state. Late September polling from Siena showed his unfavorability at 63 percent among likely voters, versus 32 percent who view him favorably. Polls have been mixed on just how large a lead Hochul has over Zeldin. Siena said 17 points. Marist last week said 10 points. Zeldin’s got a two-point upperhand in his strongest region, his home base on Long Island, according to Newsday. But his hometown paper endorsed Hochul. Part of Zeldin’s response is that his anti-crime platform, bolstered by a duo of violent events that have affected him personally, can help close that gap. “Whether I’m in a blue county or a red county or talking to Republicans, Democrats or independents, I hear about people who care about crime and public safety,” Zeldin told our Joe Spector last week. “They want to take back our streets.” IT’S MONDAY. Got tips, suggestions or thoughts? Let us know … By email: [email protected] and [email protected], or on Twitter: @erinmdurkin and @annagronewold WHERE’S KATHY? Making a public safety announcement in East Farmingdale. WHERE’S ERIC? Speaking at an NYPD graduation ceremony, making a sanitation announcement, joining the Mayor’s Film and Television Production Industry Council’s kick-off meeting, and attending the Times Square Alliance’s 30th anniversary gala. Adams plans to end ‘buffet’ for rats with transformative new trash pickup plan, by POLITICO’s Danielle Muoio Dunn and Sally Goldenberg: Mountains of black bags clogging city sidewalks have come to symbolize a declining quality of life throughout the five boroughs. Now, Mayor Eric Adams, who ran for office promising to clean up the dirty city, is dramatically transforming garbage pickup. To limit the unsightly havens for rats, Adams is expected to announce a plan on Monday to delay when residents and building owners can begin putting out trash for collection — moving the starting time from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The proposal has been in the works for months but only came to fruition after City Hall struck a deal with a prominent union that supported Adams’ election last year but opposed his trash plan. Adams releases first tax returns as mayor, by POLITICO’s Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta: Mayor Eric Adams paid $56,074 in taxes on $245,324 in his salary, pension and rental income last year, according to a copy of his 2021 tax returns provided by his office. The release, which covers his last year as Brooklyn borough president, sought to shed light on his mysterious personal life, after questions about his finances and living arrangements shaped the Democratic mayoral primary last year. His total income was offset by $13,347 in deductions, making for an effective tax rate of 24 percent. … The 24-page form was filed several months late, in accordance with an extension from the IRS, and shows Adams has made an effort to clean up his murky personal financial disclosures since becoming mayor. “MTA officials for years misled the public about delays, cost overruns in long-stalled project to bring LIRR to Grand Central,” by New York Daily News’ Clayton Guse: “For more than a decade, MTA officials told one story about the massive East Side Access project to bring Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal — while construction managers repeatedly warned of another: It would cost billions more and take years longer to build than the agency said. At last, the East Side Access project is nearing completion — it is to bring the first LIRR passengers to Grand Central in December, more than a decade behind its original schedule and more than four times over its original budget. The latest price tag for the project is $11.6 billion, MTA officials told the Daily News.” “Critics say NYC Parks Department is a patronage mill for Mayor Adams’ pals,” by New York Post’s Susan Edelman, Matthew Sedacca and Rich Calder: “The Adams administration has quietly tapped a City Council member’s wife and another top Bronx Democratic supporter to fill two, high-ranking, $177,000-a-year Parks Department jobs, The Post has learned. The Parks Department in August gave Jessenia Aponte, wife of Councilman Rafael Salamanca (D-Bronx), a huge promotion that comes with a $72,000-plus raise, naming her Bronx borough commissioner. In another under-the-radar move, the agency last month handed Anthony Perez, former executive director of the Bronx Democratic Party, the job of Manhattan borough commissioner. Both Salamanca and Perez campaigned heavily for Eric Adams during his successful 2021 mayoral run, helping him lock up key Hispanic voting bases, especially in the Bronx, according to multiple sources.” “Lander doubles down on call to strip NYC of control over Rikers,” by Gothamist’s Michelle Bocanegra: “New York City Comptroller Brad Lander reiterated his call to remove the troubled Rikers Island jail complex from the city’s control on Friday, making him the highest-ranking city official to call for it to be placed under federal receivership. In an interview on WNYC’s ‘Brian Lehrer Show,’ Lander made his case for the federal government’s appointment of a receiver a day after publicly calling for Rikers’ transition out of city control during a Columbia Law School forum. The conditions at Rikers have been subject to long-standing scrutiny that has only intensified with recent deaths in the complex.” — “Amid high suicide rates at Rikers, correction officers aren’t completing suicide prevention courses,” by Gothamist’s Matt Katz “How Kathy Hochul is ‘bribing’ her way to election — with nearly $1 billion of your money,” by New York Post’s Zach Williams, Carl Campanile and Bruce Golding: “Gov. Hochul gave herself nearly $1 billion for a slush fund in this summer’s state budget, with no restrictions on what projects or groups she could spend the money on. It allowed her to hand out cash with no review by the Legislature. Critics claim she has used the enormous amount of taxpayers’ cash in an unethical bid to buy votes or control political groups in the forthcoming election against Republican Lee Zeldin. The governor and her Democratic allies in the Legislature added the $920 million worth of outlays to the $220.5 billion fiscal plan in an 11th-hour move in April that government watchdogs warn is wide open to abuse. ‘These slush funds are totally unaccountable. It’s not how public dollars should be doled out,’ senior policy adviser Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said Friday.” “Overlaps between Zeldin campaign, outside groups backing him,” by Times Union’s Chris Bragg: “In December, conservative billionaire Ronald Lauder donated $100,000 to his outside elections spending group, Safe Together New York. A day later, the firm of a longtime Lauder political consultant, John McLaughlin, was paid $100,000 by Safe Together for work on a newly created radio ad criticizing Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. While these transactions were only the beginning of Lauder’s huge political spending over the past year, they stand out — because McLaughlin is also the campaign pollster for U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of Long Island, Hochul’s Republican opponent.” “20 State Cannabis Dispensaries Are Supposed to Open This Year — But Not a Single Location Has Been Announced Yet,” by THE CITY’s Gabriel Poblete: “Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York is ‘on track’ to open some cannabis dispensaries within months — but industry leaders say they see only red signals ahead. The state government set a goal of opening dispensaries by the end of the year that’ll allow New Yorkers to legally purchase cannabis. Hochul told the editorial board of Advance Media, owner of Syracuse Post-Standard, the state would open 20 dispensaries by the end of the year, with another 20 openings each month after. Her plan is propped up by a $200 million loan fund to help people who have been negatively affected by weed-related convictions open their retail shops, with the first 150 licenses reserved for those with past records. But players participating in the process warn the timetable may be unrealistic.” #UpstateAmerica: Spooky job alert! Who preserves the decrepit gravestones we know and love around the Northeast? The Albany Grave Digger. “Manhattan congressional candidate publishes a porn video to highlight his sex positive platform,” by City & State’s Jeff Coltin: “In a grunt for attention, third-party Congressional candidate Mike Itkis has released a sex tape to highlight his sex positive campaign platform. The 53-year-old Army cyber operations officer is bound to lose to Rep. Jerry Nadler in Manhattan’s 12th Congressional District. But he posted the 13 minute video to a popular online porn site of him having sex with porn performer Nicole Sage as ‘a conversation piece,’ he told City & State. ‘If I would just talk about it, it wouldn’t demonstrate my commitment to the issue. And the fact I actually did it was a huge learning experience, and it actually influenced items on my platform.’” “NY-19 — or the one where Marc Molinaro doesn’t have it in the bag,” by City & State’s Rebecca C. Lewis: “When a judge finally approved congressional district lines and Dutchess...

Stock Futures Jump Monday After A Rollercoaster Week As Key Earnings Reports Roll Out https://digitalarkansasnews.com/stock-futures-jump-monday-after-a-rollercoaster-week-as-key-earnings-reports-roll-out/ Traders on the floor of the NYSE, Aug. 4, 2022. Source: NYSE Stock futures rose Monday as investors weighed key earnings reports after a wild week of trading. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 290 points, or 1%. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 1.2% and 1.4% higher, respectively. Monday’s moves came as the British pound rose on more policy reversals from the UK government. New UK finance minister Jeremy Hunt announced that almost all planned tax cuts would be scrapped. The pound traded 1% higher at $1.127 per U.S. dollar. The S&P 500 just came off its fourth negative week in five with a 1.6% loss last week. A hotter-than-expected inflation reading stoked wild price swings in the markets as investors readjusted their expectations for the Federal Reserve’s coming rate hikes. “As inflation remains elevated for longer and the Fed hikes further, the risk increases that the cumulative effect of policy tightening pushes the U.S. economy into recession, undermining the outlook for corporate earnings,” Mark Haefele, CIO at UBS Global Wealth Management, said in a note. Meanwhile, the third-quarter earnings season has kicked off. Investors are monitoring if corporate America will have any significant downward revisions to their outlooks in the face of stubbornly high inflation and the economic slowdown. Bank of America on Monday reported better-than-expected results, sending the stock higher in the stock higher in the premarket. Bank of New York Mellon also posted results that beat analyst expectations. JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo reported solid results last week, while Morgan Stanley’s equity trading revenue disappointed. Many notable technology names are also reporting this week, including Netflix, Tesla and IBM. Johnson & Johnson, United Airlines, AT&T, Verizon and Procter & Gamble are other big companies on investors’ radar. Tesla’s stock in a precarious spot, Wolfe Research says The struggling shares of Tesla could be on the verge of an even bigger breakdown, according to Wolfe Research. Technical analyst Rob Ginsberg pointed out in a note to clients over the weekend that the stock is trading near the bottom of its trading range over the past two years. The next major level of support could be its 200-day moving average, but that is roughly 50% below where the stock closed Friday. “TSLA could be cut in half. Bulls need to provide some serious oversold momentum as support starts to wobble,” Ginsberg said. — Jesse Pound, Michael Bloom Oppenheimer cuts S&P 500 price target but still sees fourth-quarter rebound Oppenheimer strategist John Stoltzfus cut his target for the S&P 500 again on Monday. The strategist now sees the major market index finishing 2022 and 4,000, down from 4,800 previously. Even that reduced outlook may seem a bit too bullish for investors who have experienced sharp declines in recent weeks. The new target is almost 12% above where the index closed on Friday. Stoltzfus also kept his earnings projection for the S&P 500 the same, saying that the reduced target was due to a lower multiple. “We believe US economic fundamentals remain remarkably resilient though challenged in a highly transitional environment by persistent high levels of inflation, increasingly restrictive monetary policy to address the inflation, and supply chain problems that remain as well,” Stoltzfus said. —Jesse Pound, Michael Bloom Bank of America earnings beat expectations, shares rise Shares of Bank of America rose more than 2% after the banking giant posted quarterly results that beat analyst expectations. The company earned 81 cents per share on revenue of $24.61 billion. Analysts polled by Refinitiv expected a profit of 77 cents per share on revenue of $23.57 billion. Bank of America’s strong quarter was boosted by strong bond trading revenue and higher interest rates. Read more here. — Hugh Son, Fred Imbert New UK finance minister scraps most planned tax cuts U.K. Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt on Monday announced that almost all proposed tax cuts in the country would be scrapped. “A central responsibility for any government is to do what is necessary for economic stability,” Hunt said in a statement. “No government can control markets, but every government can give certainty about the sustainability of public finances. That is one of the many factors that influence how markets behave. For that reason, although the prime minister and I are both committed to cutting corporation tax, on Friday she listened to concerns about the mini budget.” Hunt said a full statement with questions would come in parliament later Monday, but because the details were market sensitive he wanted to give a brief summary in an effort to instil “confidence and stability.” Previously proposed tax cuts sent rates in the United Kingdom soaring and the pound tumbling against the U.S. dollar. — Jenni Reid Watch these S&P 500 levels in the near term, BofA’s Suttmeier says Bank of America technical strategist Stephen Suttmeier said he’s watching the 4,126 level on the S&P 500, noting that regaining that level is “critical for the SPX to maintain its secular bull market and avoid a shift into to a secular bear market.” “The failure to reclaim the 40-week MA after correcting to or below the 200-week MA is a secular bear market pattern. The exception was the 1980-1982 cyclical bear market, which saw three rallies fail at the 40-week MA prior to a low that preceded a breakout for the SPX above both its 40-week and 200-week MAs in August 1982.” The S&P 500 entered the week at 3,583. — Fred Imbert, Michael Bloom Credit Suisse downgrades Fox Fox shares dipped slightly after Credit Suisse downgraded the media giant to neutral from outperform, citing concern over the company’s potential merger with News Corp. “The pivot seems a tacit admission of challenges for Fox,” Credit Suisse said in a note to clients. “Even if this merger does not ultimately come to fruition, the investment backdrop for Fox has been altered.” CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Alex Harring British pound strengthens after policy reversals Sterling rose on Monday morning in Asia following more policy reversals by the U.K. government late last week. The pound was last 0.56% higher at $1.1233. CNBC Pro: As market volatility persists, Wall Street analysts say to sell these stocks Stocks worldwide have taken a beating this year, and major indexes remain deep in negative territory. As investors weigh whether to sell or stay invested, CNBC Pro screened almost 1,500 large and mid-cap global stocks and found a number of major companies with sell or underweight ratings. CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Ganesh Rao CNBC Pro: Nearing retirement? How to allocate your portfolio right now, according to the pros Despite the volatility in markets, asset managers say it’s important to remain invested if you’re nearing retirement. But how should one allocate funds, bearing in mind unsettled markets, a shorter investing horizon and the need for retirees to have some liquidity? CNBC Pro asks the experts for their views. Pro subscribers can read more here. — Weizhen Tan CNBC Pro: Morgan Stanley’s Mike Wilson flags a key risk to earnings — and names the stocks to avoid Morgan Stanley’s U.S. equity team, led by Michelle Weaver and Mike Wilson, says there’s a key risk to earnings on the horizon. The investment bank named several stocks it believes will be most impacted in the next 3-6 months, and which could see downside to their share prices in the same period. Pro subscribers can read more here. — Zavier Ong A relief rally could be close? Last Thursday, the market pulled off a historic intraday reversal that saw the S&P 500 end the day up 2.6% after losing more than 2% earlier. It marked the fifth largest intraday reversal from a low in the history of the S&P 500, and it was the fourth largest for the Nasdaq Composite, according to SentimenTrader. The dramatic rebound gave some investors confidence that a more lasting comeback could be on the horizon. “Markets have attempted a rally several times in recent weeks with no success, though the impressive reversal on Thursday is an indication that a relief rally may be near given the excess degree of pessimism priced into markets,” said Mark Hackett, Nationwide’s chief of investment research. Hackett noted that institutional investors have remained on the sidelines, while retail investors continued to be in buy-the-dip mode, with positive fund flows in seven-consecutive weeks. Read More Here

Central Kyiv Hit By Kamikaze Drone Strikes; Heavy Fighting Rages In Two Hot Spots In Eastern Ukraine https://digitalarkansasnews.com/central-kyiv-hit-by-kamikaze-drone-strikes-heavy-fighting-rages-in-two-hot-spots-in-eastern-ukraine/ Firefighters conduct work after the Russian drone attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine on October 17, 2022. At least 4 separate explosions were heard in Kyiv, while authorities reported that the attacks were carried out with kamikaze drones. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Residential buildings in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv have been damaged after drone attacks on a central district Monday morning. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 28 explosive-laden drones had headed to the capital this morning and while many were intercepted, a small number had hit several locations with at least five explosions heard in the city. Three people are known to have died as a result of the drone attacks, including a pregnant woman. Russia has stepped up its use of attacks carried out by drones in recent weeks, with various targets hit in Ukraine, particularly energy infrastructure. A drone flies over Kyiv during an attack on October 17, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sergei Supinsky | Afp | Getty Images Heavy fighting is taking place in the eastern region of Donbas in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday, with Ukraine’s military stating that Russian forces were on the offensive around Bakhmut. The town is a key target for Russia’s forces who are seeking to make and cement territorial gains in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas, particularly after having to retreat from other settlements to the north, around Kharkiv. Russia facing logistical challenges after Kerch Strait bridge damage Logistical issues faced by Russian forces in southern Ukraine are likely to have become more acute following an attack over a week ago on the Kerch Strait bridge linking Russia with Crimea, according to the U.K.’s Ministry of Defence. Repair efforts are ongoing and the bridge crossing is open to some traffic but a large queue of waiting cargo trucks remains backed up near the crossing, the ministry said on Twitter Monday. This picture taken on October 13, 2022 shows workers restoring damaged parts of the Kerch Bridge that links Crimea to Russia, which was hit by a blast on October 8, 2022. Stringer | Afp | Getty Images “Russian forces operating in southern Ukraine are likely increasing logistical supply flow via Mariupol in an attempt to compensate for the reduced capacity of the Kerch Bridge,” the ministry said. With the Russian presence in Kherson in southern Ukraine “strained” amid an ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive, and the supply routes through Crimea degraded, “the ground line of communication through the Zaporizhzhia region is becoming more important to the sustainability of Russia’s occupation,” the U.K. said. The Kerch Strait bridge, or Crimea bridge, was hit by an explosion on Oct.8. Kyiv has not said it was responsible for the attack. Russia made a spate of arrests last week following the incident — Holly Ellyatt Death toll rises from drone attacks Smoke rises from a destroyed building after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine on October 17, 2022. It was reported that at least four explosions were heard in Ukraineâs capital Kyiv on Monday as authorities reported attacks by Russian kamikaze drones. Metin Atkas | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Three people are now known to have died in the drone attacks on Kyiv this morning, with a pregnant woman among the fatalities. “During search and rescue operations in a residential building in the city center, the bodies of three dead civilians were pulled out,” Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. “Among them is a young couple, a husband and wife who were expecting a child. The woman was 6 months pregnant,” he said. — Holly Ellyatt Kyiv’s mayor gives an update on drone attacks Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko speaks to press after a drone attack in Kyiv on October 17, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko has issued an update about this morning’s drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. He said 28 drones had flown in the direction of Kyiv and that while most had been shot down by the city’s armed forces and air defenses, some had hit the city with one hitting a residential building. “Rescuers continue extinguishing the building’s structures and work on dismantling the debris. Earlier, 18 residents of the building were rescued. Two were under rubble. The dead woman’s body was recently recovered. According to preliminary data, one more person is under the rubble. Search and rescue operations are ongoing,” he said on Telegram. — Holly Ellyatt U.S. embassy condemns drone strikes as one death confirmed A Ukrainian serviceman attempts to shoot down a drone during an attack in Kyiv on Oct. 17, 2022. Sergei Supinsky | Afp | Getty Images The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has condemned a series of kamikaze drone attacks on Kyiv this morning. At least four drone attacks were recorded in the city this morning, with 18 people rescued from a residential building that had been hit. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko said later this morning that the body of a dead woman was recovered from the rubble of a house in Shevchenkivskyi district, where an explosion occurred earlier this morning as a result of a drone attack.   “Another person is under the rubble.  Search and rescue operations are ongoing.  Three victims were hospitalized,” he said on Telegram. Ukraine shot down 85-86% of Russian drones involved in latest attacks, air force says Ukraine has destroyed 37 Russian drones since Sunday evening, around 85-86% of the number involved in attacks, Ukraine’s air force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat said on Monday. “That’s quite a good result for the work of our air defences and that number will rise in the future,” he told a news briefing, adding that all the drones had flown into Ukraine from the south. — Reuters ‘Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine,’ President Zelenskyy says Firefighters conduct work after the Russian drone attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine on October 17, 2022. At least 4 separate explosions were heard in Kyiv, while authorities reported that the attacks were carried out with kamikaze drones. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a statement amid a wave of drone attacks on the capital Kyiv. “All night and all morning, the enemy terrorizes the civilian population,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram Monday. “Kamikaze drones and missiles are attacking all of Ukraine,” he added. “A residential building was hit in Kyiv. The enemy can attack our cities, but it won’t be able to break us.  The occupiers will get only fair punishment and condemnation of future generations. And we will get victory,” he added. Kyiv’s Mayor Vitali Klischko said 18 people have been rescued from a residential building struck by a drone.  “According to preliminary information, two residents remain under the rubble.  Rescue operations are ongoing.  Extinguishing of fire in destroyed building structures and demolition of rubble is ongoing. We are clarifying the information on casualties,” he said on Telegram. — Holly Ellyatt Drone attacks on Kyiv ongoing, residents urged to shelter Firefighters at a destroyed building after Russian attacks in Kyiv, Ukraine on Oct. 17, 2022. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are ongoing, according to officials in the city. Air raid alerts are in place, with residents being told to shelter. The Kyiv city military administration said on Telegram this morning that “the enemy continues to attack. A residential building in the Shevchenkiv district was hit. Currently, information about the victims is being clarified. Please stay in shelters!” Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported further explosions on Monday and posted an image purportedly showing the remnants of an explosive-carrying drone. One Kyiv resident told the BBC this morning that she and her husband were sheltering in their building as drone attacks appeared to be taking place every 15 minutes. “The last two hours we can hear explosions and the noise of the drones flying over our building almost constantly. Believe me, once you’ve heard a rocket flying over your building, or a drone, you can tell and feel the difference. The drones fly lower than rockets,” resident Ksenia said, saying rockets make a whistling sound while drones sounded like a “very huge 200 kilogram motorcyle flying over your building, it’s really freaking scary.” A “kamikaze” drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on Oct. 17, 2022. Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images Explosive-carrying drones can fly low, tend to be sent in waves or “swarms” to attack, and are harder to track on radar or to counter by air defenses. One image on Getty today showed police trying to shoot down the drones. A police officer fires at a flying drone following attacks in Kyiv on October 17, 2022. Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images Ukraine has said repeatedly that Russia is using Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 drones. Iran has denied supplying such weapons despite evidence to the contrary. — Holly Ellyatt Dramatic images of drone attacks on Kyiv Dramatic images of drone attacks on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are being published by Getty Images, showing a so-called “kamikaze” drone targeting a location in the city . A “kamikaze” drone approaches for an attack in Kyiv on Oct. 17, 2022. Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images Other images showed city officials trying to shoot down the explosive-carrying weapons. A police officer fires at a flying drone following attacks in Kyiv on October 17, 2022. Yasuyoshi Chiba | AFP | Getty Images A police officer fires at a flying drone follo...

“Who Voted For This?”: Liz Truss Branded 'unfit To Govern' As Prime Minister's Own Chancellor Wipes Away Her Credibility In 'meltdown' Statement https://digitalarkansasnews.com/who-voted-for-this-liz-truss-branded-unfit-to-govern-as-prime-ministers-own-chancellor-wipes-away-her-credibility-in-meltdown-statement/ Liz Truss looks like she is a leader ‘totally out of her depth’, according to voters in Manchester, with the vast majority calling for a general election. This morning, new chancellor Jeremy Hunt — already Ms Truss’ second after a matter of weeks — revealed a swathe of U-turns and reversals of the disastrous mini-budget Kwasi Kwarteng announced last month. Many of the measures go against Ms Truss’ ‘pro-growth’ campaign she won the Tory leadership contest with. It means there is a mounting feeling among politicians, commentators, and voters, that the Prime Minister is walking wounded, and entering her final few weeks of office. In the aftermath of the chancellor’s statement, those calls only intensified. LIVE: Jeremy Hunt makes statement on government’s plans amid U-turns and ‘mini-budget’ chaos – latest updates “Liz Truss is totally out of her depth,” Manchester Evening News reader Sue Girdlestone said. “She needs to resign. We need a general election.” Another reader, Pete Rogers, added: “Any thoughts for the population of the country they would hold a general election. Only bothered about themselves then they won’t, my guess is that we know which they are.” Ellen Cummins echoed those sentiments: “Definitely time for a General election, it’s our lives they’re playing with, we deserve to have our say.” And Stephen Molynoodles added: “He’s De facto prime minister and no one voted for him to be so.” The final comment was one seized upon by Labour politicians in the city-region. Quoting a Tweet which asked if Ms Truss or Mr Hunt were really ‘in charge’, deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner said: “Neither. They’re unfit to govern.” © Getty Images Chancellor Jeremy Hunt walks from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office on October 14, 2022 She also tweeted a photo of the Chancellor with the door for No 10 Downing Street in the background, asking: “Who voted for this?” “Wow. Just wow,” Denton & Reddish MP Andrew Gwynne said. “This government is in complete meltdown.” Calls for Liz Truss to resign are growing within her party, too. After the Chancellor’s statement, Angela Richardson has become the fourth Tory MP to call publicly for Ms Truss to stand down. She said the problems with the public finances were “100% down to the Prime Minister”, adding: “I just don’t think that it’s tenable that she can stay in her position any longer. And I’m very sad to have to say that.” Jeremy Hunt will make a statement to the House of Commons later this afternoon on his economic plans. Read today’s top stories here Read next: Drivers hit with 7p rise in petrol and diesel prices due to pound’s decline ‘I’d rather go to jail than pay £100 fine for cycling around my town’ Blood shortage emergency: In Manchester, there’s plenty of donors but not enough staff Bank of England governor warns of further interest rates rise amid mortgage crisis Jeremy Hunt says taxes will rise as he gets ‘clean slate’ on disastrous mini-budget Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article. Read More Here

More Debt, Higher Fees: Credit Card Borrowers Face Mounting Burdens https://digitalarkansasnews.com/more-debt-higher-fees-credit-card-borrowers-face-mounting-burdens/ Grant Yaney and his wife paid down almost all of their credit card debt early in the pandemic, and finally felt like they were getting ahead financially. But this year they’ve fallen behind again. To keep up with rising expenses these past six months, the Yaneys have opened two new credit cards — and maxed out both, with thousands of dollars in gas and groceries. Now, with interest rates ticking up, they’re facing even higher costs on their ever-growing debt. “We are trying to do the best we can to manage with what we have,” said Yaney, 49, a financial analyst for a hospital in Little Rock. “But I can’t stop feeding my family. I can’t stop paying utilities. So unfortunately things like credit cards may have to go past due — which means the late fees kick in and the interest doubles — and the next thing you know, we’re way behind and there’s no way to catch up.” After a coronavirus-era reprieve, Americans are borrowing heavily again to keep up with decades-high inflation on essentials such as food, gas and housing. Credit card debt is rising at its fastest clip in more than 20 years, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Overall, Americans owe $887 billion on their credit cards, a 13 percent increase from a year ago. Now, with the Fed rapidly raising interest rates to contain inflation, families are feeling the pinch of higher borrowing costs, too. Average credit card rates, at 18.7 percent, are at their highest level in 30 years and will probably continue rising, according to Bankrate. The result, for many, is a sense of snowballing despair as debt loads and interest rates spike at the same time. “Credit card debt is risky in itself, and the people who are being pushed to take on more credit card debt as the economy slows are people who don’t have other good options,” said Christian Weller, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress and public policy professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston. “This creates a vicious cycle of financial insecurity, especially for households of color.” Economists say there is little risk that a pileup of unpaid credit card balances could threaten the U.S. financial system. But the squeeze on families — particularly those who had paid down debt using stimulus checks and pandemic-era savings — will likely be acute. Debt loads are piling up just as the U.S. economy appears to be heading toward a recession. There are mounting concerns that the Fed’s aggressive tightening, combined with global turmoil, could lead to a prolonged economic slowdown. A number of worrisome economic wild cards also remain. Widespread job losses, for example, could mean that even borrowers who have so far been able to keep up with monthly payments may quickly fall behind. Experts say that could lead to spate of personal bankruptcy filings that could depress consumer spending and deepen a recession. “The worry is what’s going to happen two years from now if people aren’t able to pay down this debt,” said Mary Eschelbach Hansen, an economics professor at American University. “Bankruptcy filings were very low during the pandemic but there is a real concern that could change, which has the potential to be a really serious problem.” In Indianapolis, Zachary Harmon has taken on more than $2,200 in credit card debt in the past year, mostly to cover basics, such as food and utility bills. The 28-year-old, who receives $500 a month in disability checks and makes another few hundred dollars as a video game streamer, says it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with expenses. He recently gave up his $900-a-month apartment to move back in with his mother and is donating plasma at a local clinic to pay down his credit card debt. “I was doing well, I was making ends meet, but inflation kept going up and up, and it kept getting harder and harder,” Harmon said. “You go to the grocery store now and it’s $3 for a loaf of bread. It just keeps stacking up.” Americans paid off an unprecedented $83 billion of credit card debt in 2020, according to estimates from WalletHub. Federal stimulus money, combined with a slowdown in spending — on gas, travel, dining out and goods — meant families suddenly had more cash to devote to long-standing debts. But as the economy has reopened and inflation has surged to 40-year highs, Americans are borrowing more, for longer. Nearly half of Americans with credit cards have outstanding debt on those cards, with an average balance of $5,270, according to data from CreditCards.com and TransUnion. There are also signs that people are increasingly falling behind. The share of borrowers who are least 30 days behind on their credit card payments has grown, to 4.8 percent from 4.4 percent a year ago, according to the New York Fed, although they are still well below historic levels. And Americans with credit card debt are taking longer to pay it off. Sixty percent of those with balances are at least a year past due, up from 50 percent a year ago, according to a CreditCards.com survey by YouGov. The percentage of borrowers carrying at least two years of debt also rose, to 40 percent from 32 percent. Younger adults and those with the lowest household incomes are most likely to carry credit card debt for necessities such as groceries, child care and utilities, the survey found. “With prices rising as they are, people are accumulating more and more debt — and that’s quite concerning because it could lead to higher rates of default,” said Olga Gorbachev, an economics professor at the University of Delaware whose work focuses on credit cards and inequality. “That is particularly going to fall on the typically disadvantaged consumers: the poor, single mothers, people who are already in bad shape financially and income-wise.” Inflation has wiped out recent wage gains for almost all workers. Prices have climbed 8.2 percent since last year, while average hourly earnings are up less than 5 percent in the same period. That has forced many families, especially those with lower incomes, to cut corners or take on extra debt to make ends meet. Back in Arkansas, for example, both Yaney and his wife, who works for the federal government, say their 2 percent pay increases haven’t been enough to offset rising costs for their family of four. They’ve put off family vacations for two years and are growing tomatoes, zucchini, peas and okra to save on groceries. Yaney and his teenage son are also hunting and fishing more for their family’s food. Even so, he says the credit card debt — along with late fees and interest — continues to pile up. The Yaneys have four cards in all, though they only use two of them. The others are store cards with especially high interest rates. “It’s definitely not frivolous spending,” he said. “My wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary and didn’t even go out to eat. We’re trying to find inventive ways to make ends meet, just like everyone else.” Dee Chartier, a freelance photographer in Shelton, Wash., began relying more on her credit cards about a year ago, just as gas prices began their ascent. Since then, the 55-year-old and her husband have gotten six new cards and amassed nearly $20,000 in debt paying for essentials. Her ballooning debt load, she said, has caused her credit score to go down, which means card companies are charging her higher interest rates. One credit card, she says, recently jumped from 18 percent interest to more than 29 percent. “When your paycheck doesn’t cover everything and you need to have that gas to get to work so you can get a paycheck, where do you get that money? You put it on your credit card,” Chartier said. “It’s not like we’re trying to live beyond our means. No. We’re just trying to survive.” In all, she and her husband, who works as a manager at a large grocery chain, have about $35,000 in credit card debt, compared with $7,500 before the pandemic. “I’m like, ‘Gosh, I wish I could just pay this off and get rid of it,’ ” she said. “But now we’re in this cycle that we can’t really break. And it’s just going to get worse.” Read More…

DTN Ag Weather Brief https://digitalarkansasnews.com/dtn-ag-weather-brief/ HIGH SUN…99 AT ZAPATA, TX LOW SUN…13 AT STANLEY, ID 24 HOUR PRECIPITATION ENDING AT 7PM CT SUNDAY…FORT SMITH, AR 1.63 INCHES There is a ridge in the West and a trough in the East. This pattern continues most of the week. A trough will move into the West late this week and weekend while the ridge shifts to the East, a pattern which should continue well into next week. The U.S. and European models are fairly similar. I will use a blend, but favor the European. For the outlook period, temperatures on Saturday will be above normal in the Central and East and near to below normal in the West. This pattern should hold into next week. A storm system is likely to move into the Plains over the weekend and could bring showers to the Midwest next week. There should be a zone of showers occurring in the middle of the country next week. NORTHERN PLAINS (LIVESTOCK/CORN/SOYBEANS): A few showers moved through over the weekend, but it will be dry this week, allowing for better harvest conditions for those yet to go. A pattern change is coming this weekend, which will bring storms through the region with heavier rain potential, wind gusts, and colder air. CENTRAL/SOUTHERN PLAINS (CORN/SOYBEANS/WHEAT/LIVESTOCK): A strong cold front moved through over the weekend with scattered showers occurring over Oklahoma and Texas. The front will slip south on Monday before the region goes drier again. Cold air moving into the region will produce more widespread frosts and freezes for the next couple of mornings. A pattern change coming this weekend will bring better chances for widespread precipitation to drought areas next week, which may be beneficial for winter wheat establishment. Long-standing drought in the region will be hard to reverse, however. MIDWEST (CORN/SOYBEANS/WINTER WHEAT): Cold air moved back into the region over the weekend and produced scattered showers near the Great Lakes. The continuation of cold air should bring lake-effect rain and snow showers to the prone areas through Wednesday, annoying to those that have yet to harvest. A pattern change coming this weekend will bring warmer air to the region along with potential for showers farther west. DELTA (SOYBEANS/COTTON): A cold front brought scattered showers to parts of the region over the weekend. Cold air filling in behind the front will produce frosts and freezes for much of the region over the next couple of mornings, putting an end to the growing season for those with late-developing crops. BRAZIL (CORN/SOYBEANS/WHEAT): Scattered showers fell over southern areas this weekend while it dried out over central and northern areas. A couple of weak disturbances will continue the showers over southern areas through Thursday before the region goes drier. That will return showers to central areas, making for mostly good conditions for planting and establishment this week. Dryness over southern areas is forecast to last a while, but may not be completely dry. Still, an extended period of dryness will change prospects for corn and soybeans, even though temperatures are forecast to be below normal. ARGENTINA (CORN/SOYBEANS/WHEAT): A few light showers fell in a couple of isolated spots over the weekend, but most areas were dry. A disturbance moving through will bring showers to the country on Wednesday and Thursday, while a front brings isolated showers to southern areas Friday and Saturday, but amounts are likely to be spotty and not turn around the overall dryness that has been plaguing the region for months. Winter wheat filling and corn establishment is already suffering, while soybean planting will likely be pushed back as well since that usually starts up this week. Long-range models continue to suggest the dryness continuing well into November. EUROPE (WHEAT/CORN): Scattered showers went through western areas over the weekend, favoring winter wheat establishment. Eastern areas were drier, though recent rains have still been favorable. A couple of systems will move through the continent over the next week. While western areas are likely to see the best rainfall coverage and intensity, showers should be widespread enough to be favorable for most areas of the continent. Temperatures above to well-above normal will continue to favor root development for winter wheat. BLACK SEA (CORN/SUNFLOWERS/WINTER WHEAT): Dry weather occurred over the weekend, favoring fieldwork. A cold front will move through in the middle-to-end of the week, bringing some showers and cooler temperatures. Showers continue to favor wheat development but may cause further delays for corn and sunflower harvest. AUSTRALIA (WINTER WHEAT/CANOLA/SORGHUM/COTTON): A strong storm system is forecast to bring widespread showers to eastern areas this week and could be followed by another over the weekend. Soil moisture is more than favorable for filling wheat and canola, but unfavorable for maturing crops and fieldwork for summer sorghum and cotton planting. Heavy rains may also affect quality in some areas. Midwest (corn, soybeans and winter wheat) Summary: West: Isolated showers. Temperatures below normal. East: Isolated showers. Temperatures near to below normal. Forecast: West: Mostly dry through Friday. Temperatures below to well below normal through Wednesday, below normal Thursday, near to above normal Friday. East: Scattered lake-effect showers through Wednesday, some snows possible. Mostly dry Thursday-Friday. Temperatures below to well below normal through Thursday, near normal Friday. 6– to 1 day outlook: Mostly dry Saturday. Isolated to scattered showers Sunday-Wednesday, mostly west. Temperatures near to above normal Saturday, above to well-above normal Sunday-Wednesday. Central and Southern Plains (winter wheat/corn/livestock) Summary: Scattered showers south. Temperatures near to above normal. Forecast: Scattered showers in Texas Monday. Mostly dry Tuesday-Friday. Temperatures below to well-below normal Monday-Tuesday, near to below normal Wednesday, near to above normal Thursday, above normal Friday. 6- to 10-day outlook: Mostly dry Saturday. Scattered showers Sunday. Mostly dry Monday. Scattered showers Tuesday-Wednesday. Temperatures above to well-above normal Saturday-Wednesday. Mississippi Delta (winter wheat/soybeans/cotton) Summary: Scattered showers. Temperatures near to above normal. Forecast: Isolated showers south Monday. Mostly dry Tuesday-Friday. Temperatures near to below normal Monday, below to well below normal Tuesday-Thursday, near to below normal Friday. 6- to 10-day outlook: Mostly dry Saturday-Tuesday. Isolated showers Wednesday. Temperatures near to above normal Saturday, above to well-above normal Sunday-Wednesday. Brazil Soybeans and Corn… Rio Grande do Sul and Parana… Summary: Scattered showers north. Temperatures near to below normal. Forecast: Scattered showers through Thursday. Mostly dry Friday. Temperatures near normal through Friday. Mato Grosso, MGDS and southern Goias… Summary: Isolated showers south and west. Temperatures near normal. Forecast: Isolated showers through Wednesday. Scattered showers Thursday-Friday. Temperatures near normal through Thursday, near to below normal Friday. John Baranick can be reached at John.Baranick@dtn.com (c) Copyright 2022 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved. Read More Here

Herschel Walker Defends Use Of 'honorary' Sheriff's Badge In Georgia Senate Debate | CNN Politics https://digitalarkansasnews.com/herschel-walker-defends-use-of-honorary-sheriffs-badge-in-georgia-senate-debate-cnn-politics/ CNN  —  Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker defended pulling out a sheriff’s badge during Friday’s closely watched debate in Georgia, telling NBC in an interview that aired on Sunday it was “a legit,” but honorary badge from his hometown sheriff’s department. Walker had pulled out the badge during a discussion over support for police – in a move that was admonished by the debate moderators and led to widespread mockery from Democrats. “This is from my hometown. This is from Johnson County from the sheriff from Johnson County, which is a legit badge,” Walker told NBC’s Kristen Welker in a clip from the interview. A CNN fact check found Walker has never had a job in law enforcement. He has publicized a card showing that he was at some point after 2004 named an “honorary agent” and “special deputy sheriff” in Cobb County, Georgia – titles that do not confer arrest authority. The contest between Walker and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is one of the most important Senate races in the country, representing a key state Democrats must hold to have any chance to keep control of the Senate next year. The race has recently been rocked by allegations that Walker paid for a woman’s abortion and encouraged her to have another one – allegations the Republican has repeatedly denied and that CNN has not independently confirmed. A survey released earlier this month, which was conducted after the allegations emerged, found Warnock with 52% support among likely voters to 45% for Walker, about the same as in a mid-September poll. During Friday’s debate, Walker had accused Warnock of calling officers “names” and caused “morale” to plummet, but the Democrat cited a false claim from Walker that he had previously served in law enforcement. “One thing that I haven’t done is I haven’t pretended to be a police officer and I’ve never, ever threatened a shootout with police,” Warnock said, alluding to a more than two-decade-old police report in which the Republican discussed exchanging gunfire with police. “Everyone can make fun,” Walker said in the NBC interview, arguing that the badge means he has “the right to work with the police getting things done.” Walker, however, later admitted it was an “honorary badge” and pushed back against the idea, which NBC’s Welker read from a National Sheriffs’ Association statement, that such badges should be left in a “trophy case.” Read More Here

First Ladies Biden, Trump, Obama, Bush, Clinton, And Carter Named As Honorary Chairs Of Groundbreaking Effort Honoring American Women https://digitalarkansasnews.com/first-ladies-biden-trump-obama-bush-clinton-and-carter-named-as-honorary-chairs-of-groundbreaking-effort-honoring-american-women/ Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation Becomes One of Only Two Organizations to Hold the Extraordinary Distinction of Being Chaired by All Six Living First Ladies , /PRNewswire/ — Today, the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, which is tasked by the U.S. Congress in Public Law 116-217 with building a monument in Washington, D.C. to memorialize the early American movement for women’s equality, announced that all of the living First Ladies–Dr. Jill Biden, Mrs. Melania Trump, Mrs. Michelle Obama, Mrs. Laura Bush, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter–will serve together as Honorary Chairs of the organization. In their role as Honorary Chairs, the First Ladies will spearhead the Foundation’s efforts to ensure that the 36 million people who visit our National Mall each year experience a deeper and more inclusive American story. This announcement comes on the heels of the recent unveiling of the Foundation’s Council of Advisors, which comprises the organization’s advisory body of nationally recognized leaders and experts in history, public art, and community engagement. Quote from the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation Executive Director, Anna Laymon: “The National Mall is where ‘we the people’ showcase our history. It is the land that holds our national memory. And yet, amongst our most iconic monuments and memorials, American women’s stories are missing. On our National Mall, which houses presidential monuments, war memorials, and tributes to civil rights heroes, no women from American history are memorialized. Every little girl who visits our Nation’s Capital is led to believe that she has had no role in building our democracy. This is our country’s chance to prioritize representation, and it is an honor to have the support of Dr. Biden, Mrs. Trump, Mrs. Obama, Mrs. Bush, Secretary Clinton, and Mrs. Carter as we endeavor to bring a more intersectional history to Washington, D.C.“ Quotes from the First Ladies First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden:  “From battle cries for justice to soft lullabies, women lead and dream our world forward each and every day. We have spoken up when no one else would, facing violence and ridicule, and deciding the course of history with grit, clarity, and courage. We have never been silent—but women have often been silenced, their stories too frequently untold. We must tell their stories and memorialize the women who led the single largest expansion of voting rights in American history and set precedents in protest, civic organization, and societal change. I’m honored to stand alongside fellow First Ladies as an Honorary Chair of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation to tell a more complete story of America’s history and inspire future generations to continue building a better future for us all.” Mrs. Melania Trump: “One of my fondest memories as First Lady was commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment in the White House and ensuring the diverse and moving stories of women’s fight for the right to vote were taught and told. It was a privilege to join President Trump in the Oval Office when he signed the legislation authorizing this vital and overdue monument and to lead the 19th Amendment Project, which called on young Americans to celebrate 100 years of Women’s Suffrage through artwork. I am honored to support the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation to secure a monument of enduring inspiration for women and future female leaders.” Mrs. Michelle Obama: “The story of the early American movement for women’s rights is the story of democracy at work. It’s the story of entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, activist Alice Paul, journalist Ida B. Wells, and so many more remarkable women—each with different backgrounds, but bound by the belief that they mattered and that they deserved a voice in this country. It is my honor to serve alongside my fellow First Ladies as an Honorary Chair of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation to ensure that our Nation’s Capital represents the incredible contributions women have made to American history.”  Mrs. Laura Bush: “I am thrilled that a women’s monument will finally have a prominent place in our Nation’s Capital. Our children and grandchildren must remember that American women were not handed their right to vote; they fought for and won their right to vote. This monument will serve as a permanent reminder that we should appreciate our rights and actively participate in our democracy. I hope all Americans will join the First Ladies as we support the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation’s historic effort.” Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton: “The suffragists fought to ensure women would have an equal voice in our democracy. They paved the way for the strides women have made over the last century, and theirs is one of the most important stories in our nation’s journey toward a more perfect union. I am honored to join the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation and my fellow First Ladies in this effort to finally give due recognition to these brave women in the core of the commemorative heart of our Nation’s Capital.” ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation leads the effort to fund, design, develop, and construct the Women’s Suffrage National Monument, which will serve as a lasting legacy of the longest political movement in American history and honor the generations of women who lobbied, marched, picketed, and protested in their decades-long fight for equality.  For more information visit www.womensmonument.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. SUPPORT Amongst our most iconic monuments and memorials, American women’s stories are missing. Today, fewer than 5% of statues in our Nation’s Capital depict women. And we need your support. Like most monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C., the Women’s Suffrage National Monument will be funded in its entirety through private donations. Learn more about our movement, donate, and be a part of making history. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation Read More Here

New Super PAC Forms As Jim Banks Eyes House GOP Leadership Role https://digitalarkansasnews.com/new-super-pac-forms-as-jim-banks-eyes-house-gop-leadership-role/ Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images A new, well-funded super PAC is supporting the political priorities and policy agenda of Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, an ambitious GOP House member expected to compete for the House majority whip role if his party wins power, people involved in the effort tell Axios. Why it matters: A Banks-blessed super PAC — which plans to help his colleagues in this final stretch before the midterms — could aid his leadership ambitions. Details: The group, “American Leadership PAC,” was formed last month. Within weeks, it has raised $2 million to spend before the Nov. 8 elections, according to a source with direct knowledge of the fundraising. Banks, 43, already chairs the largest bloc of House conservatives. He told Axios he is “excited about the effort” and is “doing my part and everything I can to help win back the House majority.” As a candidate for federal office, Banks is barred from coordinating with the group. But he can help it fundraise as long as he himself does not explicitly ask any donor for more than $5,000. The group is being overseen by GOP strategists Andy Surabian and James Blair. Surabian will be the super PAC’s chief strategist. Surabian told Axios that Banks “truly gets how President Trump remade the Republican Party for the better,” and that the super PAC will help elect Republicans who share Banks’ vision of the GOP as “working-class” conservatives defending values against an “authoritarian left.” Between the lines: The super PAC may help Banks persuade his colleagues that he would be an able fundraiser for the GOP conference should he become the House majority whip. Fundraising is viewed as a weak spot for Banks in the whip race given he is expected to run against the chair of the House Republicans’ campaign arm, Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.). Banks has told allies he is “100% committed” to winning the whip race, a source said, though some of his colleagues believe he has longer term aspirations to run for the Senate. The new super PAC is expected to live on beyond the midterms as Banks’ preferred outside vehicle. How it works: The super PAC plans to spend on direct mail, text messages and digital advertising in around a dozen competitive House races. Candidates who will likely benefit from the spending include Bo Hines (running for North Carolina’s 13th district), Eli Crane (running for Arizona’s 2nd district), Jennifer-Ruth Green (running for Indiana’s 1st district) and incumbent members Mike Garcia (California’s 27th district) and Ashley Hinson (Iowa’s 2nd district). Lachlan Markay contributed to this report. Read More Here

Trump Responds To House Subpoena https://digitalarkansasnews.com/trump-responds-to-house-subpoena/ The U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack has issued a subpoena for the former president. Trump called members of the committee, which consists largely of Democrats, “poltical hacks and thugs.” It is unclear though whether the former president plans to comply with the subpoena. One of the committee’s two Republicans, however, said he may not have a choice. “He’s required by law to come in, and he can ramble and pushback all he wants,” Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) said. “That’s the requirement for a congressional subpoena, to come in.” The former president could be held in contempt of Congress, should he choose to ignore the committee’s request for testimony. Read More Here

Ukraine War: Kyiv Attacked By 'kamikaze Drones', Say Officials https://digitalarkansasnews.com/ukraine-war-kyiv-attacked-by-kamikaze-drones-say-officials/ Media caption, Watch: People flee Kyiv building after explosion By Paul Adams in Kyiv and Merlyn Thomas in London BBC News Russia has hit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, with a wave of Iranian-made “kamikaze” drones – killing at least one person, says Mayor Vitali Klitschko. “It shows their desperation,” said Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s staff. And in the port city of Mykolaiv, sunflower oil tanks were set on fire by similar drones, said the city’s mayor. A week ago, the capital was hit by Russian missiles at rush hour, part of nationwide attacks which left 19 dead. A Ukrainian air force official said all the drones had flown into the country from the south. Oleksandr Senkevich said three drones ignited the tanks at Mykolaiv late on Sunday evening, hours before the attack in Kyiv. Image source, Telegram Image caption, Tanks at the port city of Mykolaiv were set on fire by Russian drone attacks, according to the city’s mayor Monday morning’s attacks in Kyiv were from drones – the low buzzing of these slow-moving weapons is becoming familiar across the country. The city reverberated to the rattle of gunfire as anti-aircraft batteries frantically tried to shoot them down. Video on social media appeared to show one interception. The explosions on Monday began at about 06:30 local time (03:30 GMT). The most recent was at about 08:10 local time. Two were close to the city centre, with sirens and car alarms heard across the area. “The enemy can attack our cities, but it won’t be able to break us,” said President Zelensky, describing the attacks as “terrorising the civilian population”. What is being targeted is hard to determine. The mayor’s office says residential and non-residential buildings have been hit. Railway officials say explosions were seen close to Kyiv’s main station. One Reuters journalist reported seeing fragments of a drone used in the attack that bore the words, “For Belgorod”. The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of launching missile attacks on the Russian border city of Belgorod. Ukraine has denied this. Two gunmen – who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine – killed 11 people on Saturday at a Russian military training camp in the Belgorod region. Recent attacks in Ukraine have targeted the country’s energy infrastructure. It will be surprising if that is not the case again. Writing on the Telegram social media site, Mr Klitschko said there were four strikes in Kyiv, although residents heard five or six explosions. He also told people to stay in air raid shelters. But despite the warnings, the streets are far from deserted. Between the first and second set of strikes, plenty of people seemed to be going about their Monday morning business. Mr Yermak described the kamikaze attacks as Russia’s “death throes” and said Ukraine needed more air defence systems “as soon as possible”. What are ‘kamikaze drones’? Believed to include an Iranian-supplied weapon called the Shahed-136 These drones loiter above a target before attacking Packed with explosives which detonate upon impact, destroying the drone Often sent in waves and difficult to spot on radar The US said Iran planned to send hundreds to Russia, costing just $20,000 (£17,800) each Image source, Telegram Image caption, Mayor Klitschko shared a photo of what he said were fragments of a kamikaze drone on Telegram Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week’s strikes were in retaliation for the bombing of a key bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea, which he blamed on Ukraine. It was the first time during the war that the centre of Kyiv had been directly targeted. Earlier this week, Mr Putin said there was no need for more large-scale strikes on Ukraine. Most designated targets had been hit, he said, adding that it was not his aim to destroy the country. Image source, YASUYOSHI CHIBA Image caption, A drone seen in Kyiv on Monday Image source, YASUYOSHI CHIBA Image caption, A Ukrainian in Kyiv fires at a drone Additional reporting by Elsa Maishman in London Read More Here

Exclusive: China's State Banks Seen Acquiring Dollars In Swaps Market To Stabilise Yuan https://digitalarkansasnews.com/exclusive-chinas-state-banks-seen-acquiring-dollars-in-swaps-market-to-stabilise-yuan/ SHANGHAI/BEIJING, Oct 17 (Reuters) – China’s state banks stepped up their intervention to defend a weakening yuan on Monday, with banking sources telling Reuters these banks sold a high volume of U.S. dollars and used a combination of swaps and spot trades. Six banking sources told Reuters the country’s major state-owned banks were spotted swapping yuan for U.S. dollars in the forwards market and selling those dollars in the spot market, a playbook move used by China in 2018 and 2019 as well. The selling seemed to be aimed at stabilising the yuan , with the swaps helping procure dollars as well as anchoring the price of yuan in forwards, said the sources, who have direct knowledge of market trades. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com The yuan is down 11.6% versus the dollar this year. It was trading around 7.1980 per dollar on Monday. One-year dollar/yuan forwards fell rapidly following the state bank actions, pushing the yuan to 6.95 per dollar. One of the sources noted the size of the dollar selling operation was “rather huge”. “The big banks want to acquire dollar positions from the swap market to stabilise the spot market,” said another source. State banks usually trade on behalf of the central bank in China’s FX market, but they can also trade for their own purposes or execute orders for their corporate clients. A third source noted that the state banks’ trades appeared to be managed so that the country’s closely-watched $3 trillion foreign exchange reserves will not be tapped for intervention. At the same time, the move helps state banks to procure dollars at a time when rising U.S. yields have made dollars scarce and expensive. China burned through $1 trillion of reserves supporting the yuan during the economic downturn in 2015, and the sharp reduction in the official reserves attracted much criticism. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Shanghai and Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan and Ana Nicolaci da Costa Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Read More Here

Suspect Arrested For Shooting Near JMU That Wounded 8 – WTOP News https://digitalarkansasnews.com/suspect-arrested-for-shooting-near-jmu-that-wounded-8-wtop-news/ The man who police say wounded eight people when he fired shots into a crowd near James Madison University Sunday morning was taken into custody by police in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the afternoon. The shooting happened early Sunday morning in the 1500 block of Devon Lane, which is around a mile from the building that houses the university’s business school. More Virginia News More Local News Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming, 20, of Harrisonburg, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to a news release from Harrisonburg Police. “Our work continues on this case as we investigate all aspects of this incident and determine if any other individuals were involved,” Harrisonburg Police Chief Kelley Warner said in a news release. The victims were shot early Sunday morning around 2:20 a.m. during an outdoor gathering at a housing complex. Both JMU students and local Harrisonburg residents live in the complex, according to Michael Parks, a city spokesperson. Parks told WTOP that none of the victims suffered life threatening injuries and their ages range from 18 to 27. None of the victims is enrolled at the university. Witnesses told police the suspect fired multiple times into a crowd at the outdoor gathering. Five of the victims were taken to Sentara RMH Medical Center for treatment, while three others were transported to Charlottesville at UVA. Police didn’t have an update on the people who were shot when the arrest was announced Sunday afternoon. Police said a combination of witness statements and available security camera video helped them identify Fleming as a suspect. Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact HPD’s Det. Thurston at 540-432-7787. See a map of where the shootings took place below: WTOP’s Joshua Barlow contributed to this story. Jessica Kronzer Jessica Kronzer graduated from James Madison University in May 2021 after studying media and politics. She enjoys covering politics, advocacy and compelling human-interest stories. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow WTOP on Twitter and Instagram to engage in conversation about this article and others. Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here. © 2022 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. More from WTOP Read More Here

Trump Has Something To Say About Jews In The US https://digitalarkansasnews.com/trump-has-something-to-say-about-jews-in-the-us/ Trump Has Something to Say About Jews in the US  TDS-Net Trump to US Jews: Get a grip on “Israel” before it’s too late  Al Mayadeen English MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan Has Stark Warning Over Trump’s Latest Antisemitic Rant  Vigour Times Trump is criticized for “blatant anti-Semitism” as he asks the US – Press Release | Online Free Press release news distribution  TopWireNews Read More Here

MAGA Extremists Now Holding Training For ‘Poll Watchers’ https://digitalarkansasnews.com/maga-extremists-now-holding-training-for-poll-watchers/ Pennsylvania elections worker James Savage says the 2020 election gave him two heart attacks. It wasn’t the stress of the historic election, Savage alleged in a lawsuit last year: It was alleged harassment from conspiracy-peddling “poll watchers.” Two years later, two of the Republican poll watchers named in Savage’s lawsuit are holding “advanced poll watcher training” courses in Savage’s home county. They’re among a nationwide movement of right-wing figures mobilizing to sow doubt around the midterm elections. Experts fear the campaign could put election workers like Savage in the crosshairs. Poll watching at voting sites is legal and common. Volunteers, sometimes working on behalf of political parties, observe election proceedings and file complaints when they suspect violations of rules. But after Donald Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 election loss, the poll-watch system—which is meant to cultivate trust in elections—has become a hub for conspiracy theorists, with fringe figures terrorizing public servants. A new report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found a surge in calls for partisan poll watching by Trump fans who preemptively are accusing Democrats of voter fraud. Katherine Keneally, a senior research manager at the ISD, said some of those conspiracy theories target individual election workers whose identities are shared online. “Unfortunately as a result of the increase in this trend of doxxing and general threats to election workers, offices are having a very difficult time maintaining election workers and hiring because people are fearful that they’ll be threatened or their families will be threatened and that their lives are at risk,” Keneally told The Daily Beast. That’s exactly what Savage says happened to him after the 2020 presidential election. Savage worked as a voting machine warehouse supervisor in Pennsylvania’s liberal-leaning Delaware County, where he became a boogeyman for two Republican poll watchers, Leah Hoopes and Gregory Stenstrom. In social media posts and press conferences, the pair falsely accused Savage of using USB cards to fraudulently upload “50,000 votes” for Joe Biden. Those allegations went viral in the weeks after Trump’s loss; the then-president even tweeted a reference to the conspiracy theory. “ Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona—those conspiracies are transitioning from fringe to mainstream. ” “BIG NEWS,” Trump tweeted on Nov. 27, 2020. “Pennsylvania Poll Watcher: USB Drives uploaded to machines, gave Biden thousands of votes. Says 47 USB Drives are now missing. EVERY UPLOAD GAVE BIDEN 50,000 VOTES.” The hoax led to threats at Savage’s home and a physical confrontation at his office, where he says two men accosted him and demanded to search his belongings on behalf of “the voters.” Savage claims the stress put his health into a precipitous decline. “They put him in the hospital twice. They gave him two heart attacks and damn near killed him,” Savage’s attorney, Conor Corcoran told The Daily Beast. Reached by phone, Hoopes declined to comment unless in a recorded Zoom meeting. She did not return questions sent via email. Stenstrom did not return requests for comment. Despite Savage’s lawsuit, Hoopes and Stenstrom have gone on to advertise their model of poll watching to other Trump fans. In August, the pair published a book about supposed election malfeasance in Delaware County. And this month, the duo is hosting an “advanced poll watcher training” class in the county. (Reading their book before the training seminar is “highly recommended” the event page reads.) “Can’t take the stripes off that zebra,” Corcoran said when asked about the training program. Pennsylvania is primed for rapid spread of midterm election conspiracy theories, Keneally said. “Often other conspiracy theories will be predominantly limited to fringe platforms” like Gab and Telegram, she said. “But in some of our key states or swing states, like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Arizona those conspiracies are transitioning from fringe to mainstream. And so that’s where they’re able to garner increased attention.” Paranoiac poll watcher programs are under way in other states. A Reuters report found that this season’s primary elections have been riddled with complaints of aggressive poll observers, including in Nevada, where people stood outside a polling place with cameras and night vision goggles, and Colorado, where people filmed election workers and pounded on windows. Hoopes’ and Stenstrom’s course isn’t even the only partisan training program for Pennsylvania poll watchers. The conspiracy group “Audit the Vote PA” has led a months-long campaign to enroll its followers as poll watchers, and hosts weekly trainings on poll monitoring. ATVPA promotes fringe projects, like a quest to get rid of all electronic voting machines for fear that Democrats will alter them. But the conspiracy group’s webpage on poll watchers funnels readers into training courses hosted by the more mainstream GOP, with a link encouraging readers to sign up for training sessions hosted by the state’s Republican party. A signup site shows that Pennsylvania’s Republican party is hosting at least 50 such training courses, including one specifically billed as a “Moms 4 Liberty” training event. (Another event at a Hanover-area Perkins restaurant, billed as a “buy your own meal and eat while you learn” seminar currently has 48 of its 50 available spots open.) The Pennsylvania GOP is not alone in its call for poll watchers. Georgia’s Democratic party has recruited poll watchers in previous elections, and the Democratic National Committee told Politico this summer that it “trains poll watchers to help every eligible voter cast a ballot.” But some official Republican efforts have taken on a more paranoid tone than their Democratic counterparts. The Republican National Committee hosts a poll watcher signup website that reads, in part, “As Democrats continue their unconstitutional assault on our most basic voting protections, the GOP is stepping up to protect free and fair elections. But we need your help with this critical work if we are going to be successful at preserving Election Integrity in our great Nation.” A slideshow from a Pennsylvania Republican poll watcher training seminar, reviewed by The Daily Beast, appears to anticipate controversial claims from poll watchers. (Reached for comment, the PA GOP did not confirm whether or not it used the slide.) Under a “don’t” column, the slideshow instructs volunteers not to “commit defamation or make unsubstantiated accusations.” Read More Here

AP News Summary At 4:45 A.m. EDT https://digitalarkansasnews.com/ap-news-summary-at-445-a-m-edt/ Ukraine: Explosions rock Kyiv, struck by waves of drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Explosive-laden suicide drones have struck Ukraine’s capital as families were preparing to start their week, the blasts echoing across Kyiv and sending people scurrying to shelters. Kyiv city Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital’s central Shevchenko district was hit, damaging several apartment blocks and setting fire to a non-residential building. There was no immediate word on casualties. The drones’ intended targets weren’t immediately clear but Russian strikes over the past week have hit infrastructure, including power facilities. Witnesses posted videos of drones buzzing across bright morning skies over Kyiv and of what sounded like gunshots of people trying to shoot them down. Ukrainians’ resilience persists despite new Russian barrage KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The resilience by Ukrainians in Russia’s nearly 8-month-old war continues to be unwavering, despite a rise in the past week in attacks that have been seen as President Vladimir Putin’s vengeful response to an explosion that damaged a Moscow-built bridge in Crimea on Oct. 8. Russian missiles and Iranian-made drones struck at least 10 regions across the country two days later, targeting critical infrastructures in major urban centers, leaving 19 dead and more than 100 wounded. But the more the Kremlin threatens to make the upcoming winter intolerable, the more Ukrainians seem to unite in their intent to defeat Putin. For Biden and Trump, 2022 is 2020 sequel — and 2024 preview? WASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race — and a potential preview of the next one. Donald Trump refused to exit the stage after his defeat and has spent months raging against Joe Biden. That’s reshaping downballot campaigns that normally function as a simple referendum on the incumbent president. The result is an episode of political shadowboxing with little precedent, as the current president and his immediate predecessor crisscross the country in support of their party’s candidates. But polls suggest voters have little appetite for a rematch. Most say voting vital despite dour US outlook: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll shows 71% of voters think the future of the country is at stake when they vote in November’s midterm elections. That’s according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll findings suggest voters are motivated to turn out despite deep pessimism about the state of U.S. politics and dissatisfaction with the country. With less than a month to go, about 8 in 10 registered voters say casting their ballot this year is extremely or very important. That’s true of voters who prefer Republicans win majorities in Congress, and those who want to see Democrats remain in control. How Michael Flynn goes local to spread Christian nationalism VENICE, Fla. (AP) — Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn is influential in the far-right Christian nationalist movement that has growing stature in of the Republican Party. Flynn is making Sarasota County, Florida, a laboratory of sorts for his political agenda. Flynn’s slogan is “Local action equals national impact,” and he has energized local conservative activists through social media and public appearances. He questions American democratic institutions, repeats lies about the 2020 election, attacks the news media and embraces conspiracy theories about COVID-19. One of the groups he’s welcomed into the fold is the violent extremist group the Proud Boys. Iran prison fire death toll rises to 8 as protests continue DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s judiciary has raised the death toll in a blaze at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, saying at least eight prisoners have been killed as protests continue nationwide. The judiciary’s Mizan news agency offered the new toll, saying the prisoners had succumbed to their injuries from the incident Saturday night. It said all those dead had been held on theft charges. Flames and thick smoke rising from Tehran’s Evin Prison had been widely visible Saturday night, as nationwide anti-government protests triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody entered a fifth week. In online videos, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area of the prison. Pregnant women struggle to find care after Pakistan’s floods RAJANPUR, Pakistan (AP) — Pregnant women are struggling to get care after Pakistan’s unprecedented flooding this summer that inundated a third of the country at its height and drove millions from their homes. The United Nations says around 130,000 pregnant women in flood-hit areas require urgent healthcare and more than 2,000 are giving birth every day, most in unsafe conditions. Months after unprecedented deluges stopped battering the country, survivors lack basics like clean clothing and food. Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous nation, has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia, and experts fear there will be an increase in child marriage, infant mortality, and unwanted pregnancies because of the flooding. China’s party congress promises continuity, not change BEIJING (AP) — The overarching theme emerging from China’s ongoing Communist Party congress is one of continuity, not change. The weeklong meeting is expected to reappoint Xi Jinping as leader, reaffirm a commitment to his policies for the next five years and possibly elevate his status even further as one of the most powerful leaders in China’s modern history. For many Chinese, weary of pandemic restrictions, the more immediate question is whether there will there be any easing of “zero COVID” after the party congress. The answer is probably not immediately, and changes when they do come will most likely be gradual. Groups mobilize to help voters confronting new election laws ATLANTA (AP) — Voters in Georgia, Texas and some other states are facing new hurdles to cast a ballot during the midterm election under laws passed by Republican-led legislatures following President Donald Trump’s false claims that voter fraud cost him re-election in 2020. The restrictions have prompted groups that assist voters to reorient themselves so they can avoid running afoul of new barriers. They anticipate confusion and conflict at the polls, and are redoubling efforts to register and educate. The Brennan Center for Justice says lawmakers in 21 states have passed at least 42 restrictive laws since 2021. At least 33 of those are in effect for this year’s midterm. New Zealand arts funder rejects Shakespeare as ‘imperialism’ WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Is Shakespeare still relevant to today’s students? New Zealand’s arts council appears to have its doubts after ending funding for a popular school Shakespeare program. The independent but tax-funded council said the Shakespeare program relied too heavily on busy schools, failed to show relevance to “the contemporary art context” and relied on a genre “located within a canon of imperialism.” But many have taken issue with the decision by Creative New Zealand, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was once a student thespian. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan Has Stark Warning Over Trump’s Latest Antisemitic Rant https://digitalarkansasnews.com/msnbcs-mehdi-hasan-has-stark-warning-over-trumps-latest-antisemitic-rant/ MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan said Donald Trump’s warning to American Jews on Sunday might seem like just another wild rant from the ex-president. But it shouldn’t be dismissed as “Donald Trump being Donald Trump” ― because the escalating antisemitic rhetoric from Trump and others on the right is part of a dangerous pattern, he said. “These are not isolated or unconnected acts of antisemitic hate,” Hasan warned. “It’s all part of the same thing: The rising and dangerous fascism on the American right.” Trump on Sunday complained that American evangelicals appreciate him more than Jews, while also insisting he has the “highest approval rating in the world” in Israel. “Jews have to get their act together and appreciate what they have in Israel — Before it is too late!” he wrote on his floundering Truth Social platform. Hasan played a series of clips of Trump’s other antisemitic comments over the years, and noted he’s not alone in the Republican party in this regard. And he warned where it could lead. “Now is not the time to stay silent or to give the GOP a pass on this issue,” he said, adding: “President Joe Biden recently called out Trump’s MAGA philosophy as a kind of ‘semi-fascism’ he said. For me, using that ‘semi’ is a little too generous. And look, people can argue over the exact definition of fascism. But the one thing that fascist movements across the west have always had in common is this: They go after Jewish minorities in their midst.” See his full monologue below: “Now is not the time to remain silent or to give the GOP a pass…These are not isolated or unconnected acts of antisemitic hate…It’s all part of the same thing: The rising & dangerous fascism on the American right.” My @MSNBC opening monologue tonight:pic.twitter.com/M1NNAYAigh — Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 17, 2022 Read More Here

AP News Summary At 3:46 A.m. EDT https://digitalarkansasnews.com/ap-news-summary-at-346-a-m-edt-2/ Ukraine: Explosions rock Kyiv, struck by waves of drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Explosive-laden suicide drones have struck Ukraine’s capital as families were preparing to start their week, the blasts echoing across Kyiv and sending people scurrying to shelters. Kyiv city Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital’s central Shevchenko district was hit, damaging several apartment blocks and setting fire to a non-residential building. There was no immediate word on casualties. The drones’ intended targets weren’t immediately clear but Russian strikes over the past week have hit infrastructure, including power facilities. Witnesses posted videos of drones buzzing across bright morning skies over Kyiv and of what sounded like gunshots of people trying to shoot them down. Ukrainians’ resilience persists despite new Russian barrage KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The resilience by Ukrainians in Russia’s nearly 8-month-old war continues to be unwavering, despite a rise in the past week in attacks that have been seen as President Vladimir Putin’s vengeful response to an explosion that damaged a Moscow-built bridge in Crimea on Oct. 8. Russian missiles and Iranian-made drones struck at least 10 regions across the country two days later, targeting critical infrastructures in major urban centers, leaving 19 dead and more than 100 wounded. But the more the Kremlin threatens to make the upcoming winter intolerable, the more Ukrainians seem to unite in their intent to defeat Putin. For Biden and Trump, 2022 is 2020 sequel — and 2024 preview? WASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s midterm elections are playing out as a strange continuation of the last presidential race — and a potential preview of the next one. Donald Trump refused to exit the stage after his defeat and has spent months raging against Joe Biden. That’s reshaping downballot campaigns that normally function as a simple referendum on the incumbent president. The result is an episode of political shadowboxing with little precedent, as the current president and his immediate predecessor crisscross the country in support of their party’s candidates. But polls suggest voters have little appetite for a rematch. Most say voting vital despite dour US outlook: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — A new poll shows 71% of voters think the future of the country is at stake when they vote in November’s midterm elections. That’s according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll findings suggest voters are motivated to turn out despite deep pessimism about the state of U.S. politics and dissatisfaction with the country. With less than a month to go, about 8 in 10 registered voters say casting their ballot this year is extremely or very important. That’s true of voters who prefer Republicans win majorities in Congress, and those who want to see Democrats remain in control. How Michael Flynn goes local to spread Christian nationalism VENICE, Fla. (AP) — Former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn is influential in the far-right Christian nationalist movement that has growing stature in of the Republican Party. Flynn is making Sarasota County, Florida, a laboratory of sorts for his political agenda. Flynn’s slogan is “Local action equals national impact,” and he has energized local conservative activists through social media and public appearances. He questions American democratic institutions, repeats lies about the 2020 election, attacks the news media and embraces conspiracy theories about COVID-19. One of the groups he’s welcomed into the fold is the violent extremist group the Proud Boys. Iran prison fire death toll rises to 8 as protests continue DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s judiciary has raised the death toll in a blaze at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, saying at least eight prisoners have been killed as protests continue nationwide. The judiciary’s Mizan news agency offered the new toll, saying the prisoners had succumbed to their injuries from the incident Saturday night. It said all those dead had been held on theft charges. Flames and thick smoke rising from Tehran’s Evin Prison had been widely visible Saturday night, as nationwide anti-government protests triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody entered a fifth week. In online videos, gunshots and explosions could be heard in the area of the prison. Pregnant women struggle to find care after Pakistan’s floods RAJANPUR, Pakistan (AP) — Pregnant women are struggling to get care after Pakistan’s unprecedented flooding this summer that inundated a third of the country at its height and drove millions from their homes. The United Nations says around 130,000 pregnant women in flood-hit areas require urgent healthcare and more than 2,000 are giving birth every day, most in unsafe conditions. Months after unprecedented deluges stopped battering the country, survivors lack basics like clean clothing and food. Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous nation, has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia, and experts fear there will be an increase in child marriage, infant mortality, and unwanted pregnancies because of the flooding. China’s party congress promises continuity, not change BEIJING (AP) — The overarching theme emerging from China’s ongoing Communist Party congress is one of continuity, not change. The weeklong meeting is expected to reappoint Xi Jinping as leader, reaffirm a commitment to his policies for the next five years and possibly elevate his status even further as one of the most powerful leaders in China’s modern history. For many Chinese, weary of pandemic restrictions, the more immediate question is whether there will there be any easing of “zero COVID” after the party congress. The answer is probably not immediately, and changes when they do come will most likely be gradual. Groups mobilize to help voters confronting new election laws ATLANTA (AP) — Voters in Georgia, Texas and some other states are facing new hurdles to cast a ballot during the midterm election under laws passed by Republican-led legislatures following President Donald Trump’s false claims that voter fraud cost him re-election in 2020. The restrictions have prompted groups that assist voters to reorient themselves so they can avoid running afoul of new barriers. They anticipate confusion and conflict at the polls, and are redoubling efforts to register and educate. The Brennan Center for Justice says lawmakers in 21 states have passed at least 42 restrictive laws since 2021. At least 33 of those are in effect for this year’s midterm. New Zealand arts funder rejects Shakespeare as ‘imperialism’ WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Is Shakespeare still relevant to today’s students? New Zealand’s arts council appears to have its doubts after ending funding for a popular school Shakespeare program. The independent but tax-funded council said the Shakespeare program relied too heavily on busy schools, failed to show relevance to “the contemporary art context” and relied on a genre “located within a canon of imperialism.” But many have taken issue with the decision by Creative New Zealand, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was once a student thespian. Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Read More Here

China's New Growth Goals Require A Change For Attracting Foreign Investors, Official Says https://digitalarkansasnews.com/chinas-new-growth-goals-require-a-change-for-attracting-foreign-investors-official-says/ A man walks along the Bund in Shanghai on Oct. 17, 2022. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images BEIJING — A Chinese official confirmed Monday a shift in the country’s growth goals and indicated things will change for foreign investment. Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday set the tone for the next five years with a speech that emphasized “higher-quality” growth and the need for national self-sufficiency. He spoke less of rapid economic growth than in prior years. The economic planning agency, the National Development and Reform Commission, held the first press conference following Xi’s speech with representatives overseeing food and energy security. “China’s economy has shifted from a period of high-speed growth to one of high quality,” said Zhao Chenxin, member of the commission’s Chinese Communist Party leadership group and vice chairman. “We also face a new situation for attracting foreign investment,” he said. That’s according to a CNBC translation of the Mandarin remarks. China relied heavily on foreign investment for its initial surge of growth in the 1990s to early 2000s when new government policies allowed greater foreign access to the market after decades of closure. For example, in 2013 foreign businesses in China accounted for a third of China’s GDP and about 27% of employment, according to a report from the Hinrich Foundation. Much of that business was in computers and electronics, autos and leather-related products, the report said. However, foreign businesses in recent years have complained about unequal access to the Chinese market versus their peers, lack of intellectual property protection and forced technology transfers. The U.S. under the Trump administration tried to address those issues with tariffs and sanctions. Looking ahead, Zhao said Monday that China would encourage foreign investment in advanced manufacturing, higher-quality services, high-tech, energy conservation and environmental protection. He also noted specific support for such investment in the central, western and northeastern parts of China. Those are less developed parts of the country relative to the south and east coast. Read more about China from CNBC Pro Read More Here

Oil Climbs On China's Fuel Demand Recovery Hopes https://digitalarkansasnews.com/oil-climbs-on-chinas-fuel-demand-recovery-hopes/ Oct 17 (Reuters) – Oil prices rose on Monday after China rolled over liquidity measures to help its pandemic-hit economy, igniting hopes for a better fuel demand outlook from the world’s top crude importer. Brent crude futures rose 81 cents, or 0.88%, to $92.44 a barrel by 0642 GMT, recovering from a 6.4% fall last week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $86.33 a barrel, up 72 cents, or 0.84%, after a 7.6% decline last week. China’s central bank rolled over maturing medium-term policy loans while keeping the interest rate unchanged for a second month on Monday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Analysts said the full rollover is a signal that the central bank would continue to maintain loose monetary policy. read more The country also vowed to greatly increase domestic energy supply capacity and step up risk controls in key commodities including coal, oil and gas, and electricity, a senior National Energy Administration official said on Monday. China will further increase reserve capacities for key commodities, another state official told a news conference in Beijing. read more Oil found support from a combination of factors, including Chinese President Xi Jinping’s comments at the Party Congress that reassured accommodative policies for the economy, a positive sign for demand outlook, CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said. read more China is expected to release trade and economic data this week. Although its third-quarter GDP growth could rebound from the previous quarter, President Xi’s stringent COVID-19 policy has the world’s No. 2 economy facing what will most likely be its worst performing year in almost half a century. read more Looking ahead, oil prices are expected to remain volatile as production cuts by OPEC+ will tighten supplies ahead of the European Union embargo on Russian oil, while a strong U.S. dollar and further interest rate increases from the U.S. Federal Reserve limit price gains. St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said on Friday inflation had become “pernicious” and difficult to arrest, and warranted continued “frontloading” through larger increases of three-quarters of a percentage point. read more Member states of the Organization of the Production Exporting Countries and their allies, including Russia, lined up on Sunday to endorse the steep production cut agreed to this month after the White House, stepping up a war of words with Saudi Arabia, accused Riyadh of coercing other nations into supporting the move. read more OPEC+ pledged on Oct. 5 to cut output by 2 million barrels per day, which will lead to an actual drop of about 1 million bpd as some members are already producing below their targets. Despite this, top exporter Saudi Arabia will keep exports to key Asia markets steady in November. “Tighter inventories for oil and oil products along with looming supply risks should keep prices volatile,” analysts at ANZ Research said in a note. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Reporting by Mohi Narayan in New Delhi and Florence Tan in Singapore; Editing by Gerry Doyle Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Read More Here

Hong Kong Protester Dragged Into Manchester Chinese Consulate Grounds And Beaten Up https://digitalarkansasnews.com/hong-kong-protester-dragged-into-manchester-chinese-consulate-grounds-and-beaten-up/ A Hong Kong pro-democracy protester was pulled into Chinese consulate grounds in Manchester on Sunday and beaten up. Unidentified men came out of the consulate and forced a man inside the compound, before he escaped with the help of police and other demonstrators. The protester told the BBC: “They dragged me inside, they beat me up.” A consulate spokesperson said protesters had displayed an insulting portrait of China’s president. The Foreign Office said it was urgently seeking clarity on the incident. Greater Manchester Police has launched an investigation. Speaking after the incident, the protester, called Bob, told BBC Chinese that “mainlanders” – people from mainland China, as opposed to Hong Kong – came out of the consulate and destroyed their posters. “As we tried to stop them, they dragged me inside, they beat me up,” he said, adding that he was then pulled out by the UK police. “It’s ridiculous. They [the attackers] shouldn’t have done that. We are supposed to have freedom to say whatever we want here [in the UK].” After the incident, the crowd remained angry. Protesters shouted at the men from the consulate and the British police, arguing they could have done more. What will the next 25 years hold for Hong Kong? What is Hong Kong’s national security law? Five moments in fraught Hong Kong-China relations Consulate staff had previously asked the protesters to move to the opposite side of the street. There were two police officers at the protest, but several more appeared within minutes of the altercation beginning. They gathered at the gates of the compound trying to break up the fighting and move protesters back. One police officer entered the consulate grounds and pulled the man who had been dragged inside back out. At least eight men – some of whom were wearing helmets and protective vests – then returned to the consulate building. The consulate is on UK soil, but cannot be entered without consent. Any offence committed on diplomatic premises is subject to UK law, but employees may hold diplomatic immunity. Reacting on Twitter, former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith said the UK government should demand a full apology from the Chinese ambassador, and that those involved should be sent back to China. The demonstrators was protesting as the Communist Party congress began in Beijing. President Xi Jinping, who is set to secure a third term in power, said he had turned the situation in Hong Kong from “chaos to governance”, referring to China’s suppression of pro-democracy protests there. A spokesperson for the consulate said the protesters had “hung an insulting portrait of the Chinese president at the main entrance”. “This would be intolerable and unacceptable for any diplomatic and consular missions of any country. Therefore, we condemn this deplorable act with strong indignation and firm opposition,” the spokesperson added. A spokesperson said Greater Manchester Police was aware of the incident. “Officers were present and responded immediately to defuse the situation,” they said. “Enquiries are ongoing at this time to understand the full circumstances.” Read More Here