Dozens of people protest outside Maricopa County elections center; sheriff highlights security

There was no repeat of the rowdy 2020 protests at the Maricopa County Election Command Center and Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said his deputies made sure of that on Saturday.  About 50 people showed up around noon outside the fence at the elections building near Third Avenue and Lincoln Street, which is north of Buckeye Road.  Some of the protesters wore ballistic vests and … Continue reading Dozens of people protest outside Maricopa County elections center; sheriff highlights security

Democrats maintain control of Senate, defeating many Trump-backed Republicans

Democrats defied historical trends and defeated several candidates backed by former President Donald Trump to keep control of the Senate, providing enormous relief for President Joe Biden. The battle for the House, meanwhile, remains too close to call. The picture in the Senate became clear late Saturday after Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada narrowly defeated Republican Adam Laxalt to win re-election, putting her … Continue reading Democrats maintain control of Senate, defeating many Trump-backed Republicans

Mitch McConnell faces brewing discontent from Senate Republicans 

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing a upcoming challenge to his position as the top Republican in the Senate. NBC NEWS – Several senators are campaigning to delay a vote scheduled for next week that was expected to return McConnell to the top job.  FOX NEWS – Former President Donald Trump is blaming Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for Republicans not winning more seats in … Continue reading Mitch McConnell faces brewing discontent from Senate Republicans 

Biden mistakenly thanks Colombia for hosting ASEAN summit in Cambodia

United States President Joe Biden has now twice referred to Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit host Cambodia as Colombia, including during Saturday’s remarks opening the talks. FOX NEWS – “It was an honor to host at the White House in May, and now that we are back together in Cambodia,” Biden said as he opened the talks. “I look forward to building even stronger … Continue reading Biden mistakenly thanks Colombia for hosting ASEAN summit in Cambodia

Republican Joe Lombardo will defeat Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak

Republican Joe Lombardo, the popular sheriff of Clark County, is projected to defeat Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, campaigning on Sisolak inability to get the economy back on track in the state. CNN – Sisolak conceded Thursday evening before the race had been called, noting that it appeared he would fall “a percentage point or so short of winning.”  THE HILL – The Associated Press called … Continue reading Republican Joe Lombardo will defeat Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak

Trump sues January 6 committee seeking to block subpoena for his testimony

Former United States President Donald Trump is suing the House committee investigating the January 6th protest at the U.S. Capitol to avoid cooperating with a subpoena requiring him to testify. YAHOO NEWS – The suit filed Friday evening contends that, while former presidents have voluntarily agreed to provide testimony or documents in response to congressional subpoenas in the past, “no president or former president has … Continue reading Trump sues January 6 committee seeking to block subpoena for his testimony

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly re-elected in Arizona, defeating Republican Blake Masters

Arizona incumbent Democrat Senator Mark Kelly is projected to win against his Republican challenger Blake Masters, boosting the Democrats hopes of holding onto the Senate. YAHOO NEWS – With 83% of votes counted, the Associated Press called the race Friday evening for Kelly — a Navy combat veteran, retired NASA astronaut and the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz. He leads Masters, a 36-year-old … Continue reading Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly re-elected in Arizona, defeating Republican Blake Masters

Marco Rubio demands GOP Senate leadership vote be postponed after midterm failures

Coming off the heels of a lackluster GOP midterm performance, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) urged Republicans to postpone next week’s Senate leadership vote. Rubio, who cruised to victory in his Florida Senatereelection bid, cautioned that the party needs to reassess its leadership in the upper chamber to ensure its top brass is being a champion for working-class Americans. “The Senate GOP leadership vote next week … Continue reading Marco Rubio demands GOP Senate leadership vote be postponed after midterm failures

Biden touts U.S. climate progress at COP27, unveils new methane plan

President Biden announced a set of small new actions by his administration to address climate change in a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference on Friday. The new measures include pledging more than $200 million in funding for climate change resilience and adaptation in developing countries, and a new plan to reduce emissions of methane — an especially potent greenhouse gas — from … Continue reading Biden touts U.S. climate progress at COP27, unveils new methane plan

US Border Agency Leader Is Being Forced Out

The United States Customs and Border Protection agency’s commissioner is being forced out of his job as part of a larger change in top personnel at the Department of Homeland Security, according to media reports that cite a government source. CNN – Chris Magnus is resisting leaving the position, after being told by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to resign or get fired, according to … Continue reading US Border Agency Leader Is Being Forced Out

Arizona’s Maricopa County begins hand count audit as estimated 400K ballots unprocessed

Maricopa County election officials in Arizona’s most populous region have begun a hand count audit, officials announced late Wednesday.  “The hand count audit has begun,” the county’s election department said on Twitter. “Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian party chairs drew the races and ballots that hand count audit boards will review Saturday.”  “This is an important step in ensuring the accuracy of the 2022 General Election results,” … Continue reading Arizona’s Maricopa County begins hand count audit as estimated 400K ballots unprocessed

Biden to meet Xi on Monday for first high-stakes sit-down with Chinese leader

President Joe Biden will meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping face-to-face on Monday, their first in-person encounter since Biden took office and one that will offer a clarifying opportunity for the world’s most important bilateral relationship. “The leaders will discuss efforts to maintain and deepen lines of communication between the United States and the PRC, responsibly manage competition, and work together where our interests align, especially … Continue reading Biden to meet Xi on Monday for first high-stakes sit-down with Chinese leader

Putin will not attend G20 summit in person, Russian embassy says

According to recent media reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend in person a summit of leaders from the Group of 20 nations in Bali next week. REUTERS – Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a gathering of leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) nations in person next week but may join virtually, officials from Russia and the host country Indonesia said … Continue reading Putin will not attend G20 summit in person, Russian embassy says

York: Student arrested after eggs thrown at King Charles

A man has been arrested after eggs were thrown at the King and Queen Consort during a visit to York. A protester was restrained by police as crowds gathered at Micklegate Bar, the traditional royal entrance into the city, to greet the couple. The 23-year-old was heard to shout “this country was built on the blood of slaves” as he was restrained. The man, a … Continue reading York: Student arrested after eggs thrown at King Charles

Runoff election in Georgia may decide fate of U.S. Senate, again

Control of the U.S. Senate may once again be decided in Georgia, weeks after Election Day as a tight race between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker was headed to a Dec. 6 runoff. With more than 99% of the vote counted, Warnock is narrowly leading against Walker, a former football star endorsed by former President Donald Trump. But Warnock has not … Continue reading Runoff election in Georgia may decide fate of U.S. Senate, again

Maricopa County, Arizona, officials apologize for vote tabulator problems

Maricopa County, Arizona, Supervisor Bill Gates apologized after roughly 20% of their polling sites had problems with tabulation machines reading ballots just hours after Election Day polls opened.  The Arizona county had explained that some machines had problems with their printers and were not producing dark enough ink on ballots. During a Wednesday news conference, Gates said that of the approximately 250,000 in-person votes that … Continue reading Maricopa County, Arizona, officials apologize for vote tabulator problems

France to invest €1B to phase out fossil fuel in developing countries 

In Cairo, Egypt on Monday at the COP 27 climate summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would commit to investing €1 billion to help developing nations lessen their use of fossil fuels. EGYPT TODAY – “We won’t forfeit our climate commitments because of the Russian energy crisis,” Macron said, adding that France and other European high-income countries are committed to phasing out fossil … Continue reading France to invest €1B to phase out fossil fuel in developing countries 

Pelosi says retirement decision ‘will be affected’ by attack on husband

Democratic California U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said during an interview that the recent attack on her husband will affect the decision she makes regarding whether or not to retire from Congress should the Democrats lose control of the House in Tuesday’s midterm elections. YAHOO NEWS – “I have to say my decision will be affected about what happened the last … Continue reading Pelosi says retirement decision ‘will be affected’ by attack on husband

Elon Musk tells followers to vote for Republican congressional candidates

Elon Musk on Monday encouraged “independent-minded voters” to cast their ballots for Republicans in Tuesday’s midterm congressional contests as a check on President Biden. “To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic,” Musk wrote on Twitter. “Hardcore Democrats or Republicans never vote for the other side, so … Continue reading Elon Musk tells followers to vote for Republican congressional candidates

Elon Musk recommends voting for ‘Republican Congress’ in midterms

Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter CEO, Elon Musk on Monday recommended independent-minded voters to cast their ballots for the Republicans in Tuesday’s midterm congressional races as a check on the Executive branches authority. THE HILL – “To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic,” Musk wrote on Twitter. … Continue reading Elon Musk recommends voting for ‘Republican Congress’ in midterms

Suspicious envelope with ‘white substance’ found at Kari Lake’s campaign headquarters

Law enforcement officers in Phoenix responded to the campaign headquarters for Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake after suspicious items were found inside of the mail. FOX NEWS – “When officers arrived, they learned there were suspicious items located inside the mail,” Phoenix police Sgt. Phil Krynsky wrote via email. “Additional resources responded to collect the items and secure the area. There have been no … Continue reading Suspicious envelope with ‘white substance’ found at Kari Lake’s campaign headquarters

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan blames establishment figures for plot to kill him

Tensions escalated in Pakistan on Friday as former Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed establishment figures for a plot to kill him – a claim strenuously denied by governing and security officials. A day after after he survived a shooting at a political rally outside the town of Gujranwala, Punjab province, Khan gave a rambling speech at a hospital in the city of Lahore where he … Continue reading Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan blames establishment figures for plot to kill him

Erdogan, Putin agreed to send Russian grains to poor African countries for free

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he had agreed with counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russian grains sent under the Black Sea export deal should go to poor African countries for free. “In my phone call with Vladimir Putin, he said ‘Let’s send this grain to countries such as Djibouti, Somalia and Sudan for free’ – and we agreed,” Erdogan said in a speech … Continue reading Erdogan, Putin agreed to send Russian grains to poor African countries for free

King Charles said he was related to real-life Dracula.

THE King has told actor Luke Evans how his bloodline shows he is related to Vlad Dracula. The Hobbit star had just finished the 2014 film Dracula Untold when he first met His Majesty, who was then Prince of Wales. The actor, 43, played a fictional version of the 15th century Romanian ruler Vlad III, also known and Vlad the Impaler, Vlad Tepes and Vlad … Continue reading King Charles said he was related to real-life Dracula.

Pope warns global divisions leading to ‘precipice’

Pope Francis warned in Bahrain on Friday that “opposing blocs” and global divisions have put humanity on a “delicate precipice”, a veiled reference to the Ukraine war. “We are living at a time when humanity, connected as never before, appears much more divided than united,” he said during a speech to religious leaders in the Gulf kingdom. “We continue to find ourselves on the brink … Continue reading Pope warns global divisions leading to ‘precipice’