Trending News
News of the day: Here are Mayor Mark Sutcliffe's campaign promises for the next four years; Striking Bank of Canada security guards fined after noise complaints; Open-net blunders by Stützle, Cozens, Zetterlund cost Senators in loss to Knights
It's Wednesday, Oct. 28. Here are today's top stories from the Ottawa Citizen newsroom. HERE ARE MAYOR MARK SUTCLIFFE’S CAMPAIGN PROMISES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS Sutcliffe ran for re-election on his record as he asked Ottawa voters for a “mandate” for the next four years, which came with a fresh batch of campaign promises. […]
Pioneering California civil rights leader Dolores Huerta dies at 96
What to KnowFarmworker and labor movement icon Dolores Huerta has died at 96, her family says. Huerta co-founded the Stockton, California, chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO) in 1955 and later the Agricultural Workers Association.She co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. The UFW formed from the movement three years later and Huerta served as vice president until 1999.President Barack Obama awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 for her work advocating for the underserved. In 1973, Huerta led a consumer boycott of grapes resulting in the ground-breaking California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.Pioneering civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, a towering figure in the farmworker and labor movement in California, has died, according to her family. She was 96.Erik Olvera, a family spokesperson, said she died of cancer Wednesday at her home in Bakersfield surrounded by family. Downtown Los Angeles May 16 Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta attends mural dedication ceremony in downtown LA Watts Mar 19 César Chávez's face erased from Watts mural, to be replaced with portrait of Dolores Huerta “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today at the age of 96,” Huerta’s family said in a Facebook post announcing her death. “As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family. We know that many of you around the world share in our mourning, and we will be following up on plans to recognize and celebrate her incredible life and legacy.”Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union to improve working conditions in the nation's fruit and vegetable fields and coined the enduring "Sí, se puede!" rallying cry. She continued her activism work well into her 90s, marching in protests and speaking across the country on issues on poverty, race, LGBTQ+ and women's rights.Huerta was born Dolores Clara Fernandez in 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico, to a farm worker and miner. Her parents divorced when she was 3, and her mother took her and her brothers to Stockton, California, where she worked jobs as a waitress and cannery worker until she saved enough to buy a small hotel and restaurant.Huerta earned an associate teaching degree from the University of the Pacific's Delta College and briefly taught school in the 1950s, but felt compelled to help organize farmers and farm workers after witnessing hungry farm children coming to school. She co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO) in 1955 and later the Agricultural Workers Association.Huerta met labor leader César Chávez through a CSO associate and the two activists founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. The UFW formed from the movement three years later and Huerta served as vice president until 1999.In March, Huerta revealed that she had been sexually abused by Chávez during their time in the California labor movement of the 1960s, leading to the birth of two children, a secret she had kept for 60 years, long after he died.From the early 1970s on, Huerta's life partner was Richard Chavez, César's brother, and together they had four kids. She also had seven children from two earlier marriages.Huerta said she had kept silent for so long because she feared coming forward would compromise her life's work and unravel all the progress made for workers.Among her many efforts to support farmworkers during her time with the UFW, Huerta negotiated contracts and ardently advocated for safer working conditions, including the elimination of harmful pesticides. She also called for unemployment and health care benefits for agricultural workers.In 1973, Huerta led a consumer boycott of grapes resulting in the ground-breaking California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.In a statement, the UFW called her a tireless advocate for farm workers, women, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and all marginalized people. She served as a mentor to the next generation of UFW leaders, organizers and members, the organization said.“Dolores coined the United Farm Workers' historic motto: Sí, Se Puede. Her advocacy helped bring an end to the exploitative Bracero program in the early 1960s,” said United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero. “Dolores' work remains as important now as ever, and it continues with her example and her inspiration before us. The greatest possible tribute to her life is for her work of organizing to continue.”President Obama awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 for her work advocating for the underserved. The medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor. Huerta has received numerous awards for her work, including The Eleanor Roosevelt Humans Rights Award from President Bill Clinton in 1998. The Dolores Huerta Foundation, started in 2002, works on community-based organizing as well as state and national issues.Several landmarks in Southern California, including Dolores Huerta Square in LA’s Boyle Heights area, are named in her honor. In May, Huerta attended the dedication ceremony for her new mural in downtown Los Angeles. The mural, titled “Walking into History,” was created by Robert Vargas, an artist behind several of LA’s famous murals.“Dolores Huerta was a guiding light in the struggle for justice, and we know that her legacy will continue to fuel the movement she dedicated her life to,” NAACP’s National President Derrick Johnson said. “When Dolores turned 21, she celebrated her birthday by registering to vote. As we honor her today and every day, let's do our part to fight for labor rights, to fight for civil rights, and to make our voices heard at the ballot box. May she rest in peace and power.”Local and national leaders issued statements applauding Huerta of her lifetime of service. “A great loss to our city, to our country,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a morning news conference. “Somebody who has impacted each and every one of us.”Flags at Los Angeles County buildings were ordered to half-staff Wednesday in her honor.California Gov. Gavin Newsom described Huerta as a passionate fighter for fairness. The governor directed state flags also be lowered to half-staff.“Dolores Huerta represented the best of us,” Newsom said. “California — and the United States — would not be what we are today without her resolute spirit, her passion for justice and fairness, and her commitment to those overlooked and forgotten. Dolores’ fight for gender equity, workers’ rights, and civil rights paved the way for generations to come — teaching people what was possible with determination and heart.“Her legacy lies not just in the accomplishments she achieved, but in the people who follow in her footsteps, take up the mantle, and keep creating a better world.”The Congressional Hispanic Caucus called Huerta an icon who showed courage and conviction.“Dolores Huerta defied definition,” the organization said. “To call her a leader, an activist, or a trailblazer is to barely begin to capture the magnitude of her legacy. She was a national and international icon whose courage, conviction, and relentless pursuit of justice helped change the course of history. From the labor movement to the broader fight for civil rights, Dolores challenged injustice in all its forms and empowered generations to demand dignity, equality, and opportunity.“Her legacy transcends borders, generations, and movements. She helped shape the conscience of our nation and demonstrated that the fight for justice requires both the courage to challenge the status quo and the conviction to never give up. For Latinos, her contributions are profound. For all Americans, her life stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring promise of a more just and equitable society.”
Trump's cure for Republicans' midterm woes is more Trump. Will it work?
President Donald Trump likes to play make-believe with his supporters."Just close your eyes," he tells them, "and pretend I’m on the ballot."It’s a typically self-involved appeal from someone who has been the center of the nation’s political gravity for more than a decade. Now, he’s finishing the midterms with a cross-country blitz of campaign rallies that allow him to bask in applause when he’s otherwise profoundly unpopular. In a year marked by the war with Iran, fears about artificial intelligence, redistricting fights, high energy prices and increasing concerns about the cost of living, Trump’s deeply personal approach might be the election cycle‘s biggest gamble.Republicans still love the president, who remains dominant even as he approaches the back half of his second term. But his approval ratings are low enough to potentially sink his party and its bid to maintain control of Congress."I don't think there's anybody that wants Donald Trump out there at these rallies more than Democratic candidates,” said Jessica Mackler, president of EMILY's List, which focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights.Every time there’s another Trump event, she said, "we look at that as a win."White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said Trump is "the unequivocal leader, best messenger, and unmatched motivator for the Republican Party.""The choice has never been more clear," he said in a statement. "Doubling down on President Trump's winning, commonsense agenda, or the Democrats' extreme liberal policies and obstruction." Donald Trump Oct 26 Trump offers $1 million reward for voter fraud tips that lead to convictions Michigan Oct 25 Trump leans into Islamophobic rhetoric at Michigan rally Trump Administration Oct 25 Catholic bishops regret White House prayer photo with Trump, say it was used politically Trump thinks the way to win elections is more TrumpIt goes far beyond a whirlwind rally schedule. The president organized even small details of the first-ever Republican midterm convention last month in Dallas, speaking both nights. He also was depicted there as the Marlboro Man, a cowboy on horseback and with a white Stetson who could ride to the rescue, on everything from baseball caps to beer cozies.Trump even has a personal spin on his blockbuster attempt to win over voters by pledging big checks if Republicans hold Congress, saying "I'll give you $5,000" even though the improbable idea would likely need lawmaker approval. Political groups associated with the president have spent at least around $277 million since Sept. 1 to help Republicans — a staggering sum that nonetheless didn’t completely drain the $416 million that Trump's flagship Super PAC, MAGA Inc., had in the bank to start last month. But that wasn’t enough for Trump. He used taxpayer funding to run television ads celebrating himself, including one nearly identical to a spot from 2024 — the last time he really was on the ballot.It’s consistent with a self-centered, second-term approach From expanding executive power, to turning the presidency into a profit center for his family, to molding the White House in his own gilded image, Trump’s self regard has escalated since he won back the White House."I can do stuff that is unbelievable,” he bragged at a rally in Kentucky.Trump crammed the Oval Office with gold flourishes, demolished the East Wing to build a sprawling ballroom and converted the Rose Garden into a patio space reminiscent of his Mar-a-Lago estate. There’s also a new helipad that he showed off to Xi Jinping, China’s communist leader, during a recent visit. The president is focused on reshaping Washington as well, dispatching National Guard troops to the streets, closing the Kennedy Center after failed attempts to add his name to the building, planning a towering arch just outside the city and pushing to revamp a century-old public golf course. Trump has wielded his iron grip on the Republican Party in ways that could hurt its chances in some races. He helped Ken Paxton, who has a history of legal and ethical problems, defeat incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas primary, making the general election campaign against Democrat James Talarico more competitive.Trump also clashed with North Carolina Sen. Tom Tillis, prompting him to retire, and pushed Michael Whatley to run. Now Republicans are bracing to lose the seat to former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.Trump is 'the dividing line' in the midtermsThe Trump-centric approach backfired during his first term in 2018, when a similar presidential rally barrage didn’t stop Democrats from retaking House control. This time, many of the issues that helped Trump win reelection in 2024, such as his handling of the economy, could prove to be liabilities for Republicans. Just 17% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, as the Iran war keeps fuel prices high and stokes inflation fears, according to an AP-NORC poll conducted in late September. The White House points to highlights beyond Trump’s personal appeal, like efforts to lower prescription drug prices, stimulate domestic manufacturing, crack down on the U.S.-Mexico border and oppose transgender rights. But longtime Michigan pollster Richard Czuba said the president’s decision to focus on himself has prevented Republicans from courting conservative voters disappointed in Trump. "He's literally driving people who disagree with him to the Democratic side,” Czuba said."The dividing line is how voters feel about Donald Trump," he added. "And there's a whole lot more voters who disapprove of Donald Trump than approve of Donald Trump."A CNN/SSRS poll conducted in mid-October found that about 4 in 10 registered voters suggested they'd think of their vote for Congress as more about sending a message that they oppose Trump. Only about 2 in 10 said they would be sending a message supporting him. Trump’s rally whirlwind has kept him on friendly turfEven while hopscotching the country, the president has generally stuck to reliably red states. When he goes to battlegrounds, he mostly visits conservative areas, thus ensuring especially adoring crowds. A pre-speech video likens the president to a global savior, booming repeatedly, "God gave us Trump,” and he usually spends more of his speeches repeating past grievances than talking about next week’s Election Day. The idea is to energize the Republican base while avoiding backlash in swing states — and also potentially reaching television viewers who see the adulation for Trump and may vote Republican elsewhere around the country. "I always cater to my base,” Trump recently told the Washington Examiner, when asked if he was focusing too much on sympathetic rallygoers, rather than wooing independents. Trump's endorsement can be enough for some. Cindy Downes, a 67-year-old retiree from North Liberty, Iowa, cast an early ballot for Rep. Ashley Hinson for U.S. Senate and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ reelection. "The number one reason: POTUS supports them," said Downes, who wore a MAGA hat to a recent campaign event. "I trust him. I trust his judgment."But LuAnn Bird, 72, of Hales Corners, Wisconsin, said opposing Trump was one of many reasons she's supporting Democrats."It just feels so good, not just to go against Trump, but to go for something," said Bird, who attended a Milwaukee rally where former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris appeared with the Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Crowley. "I want to see an aggressive, progressive agenda."Mackler of EMILY'S List recently spent time in states Trump has visited, including Georgia, Florida and Ohio. She said the president’s approach exposes a disconnect with voters who “are so frustrated and fed up with this agenda that's making their lives worse.” "That's what's driving opportunity on the ballot," she said, “including in states and races and places that we would not have imagined would be in play."___Associated Press writers Scott Bauer in Milwaukee, Hannah Fingerhut in Coralville, Iowa, and Amelia Thomson DeVeaux in Washington contributed to this report.
Canada-EU Summit set to launch additional talks on a deeper partnership
OTTAWA - A stronger alliance between Canada and the European Union would only include a financial commitment if either side joins specific programs in either jurisdiction, a senior government official said Wednesday.
Spain train crash leaves at least 68 dead in second major collision this year
At least 68 people were killed and dozens were injured when two high-speed trains collided in central Spain on Wednesday, sending carriages careering off the tracks, in the second major accident on the same line in less than a year."We heard a massive roar, a truly enormous thud that went on for 10 seconds, as if the train were about to derail," one passenger, Miguel, told Spain's COPE radio, adding that he was traveling with several colleagues in the rear car of one of the trains."Through the right-hand window, we could see a wrecked train — I imagine it must have been the other one," he added.Pictures showed several carriages lying on their sides next to the tracks and others twisted at angles, their wheels sheared off. Debris was strewn around the scene of the accident in the countryside in the province of Toledo.As rescue teams continued to search through the wreckage ‌of ​the ‌derailed ⁠carriages, the Castilla-La Mancha ‌regional government said ‌68 people had been killed and 68 injured. Together the two trains were carrying more than 500 passengers.Several U.S. citizens were among the injured, according to a State Department spokesperson, who said the U.S. is continuing to work with local authorities to identify all Americans involved and provide them consular assistance."We extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected," the spokesperson said. "We encourage U.S. citizens in the area to notify loved ones of their safety and monitor local media for updates."At the site of the crash on Wednesday, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez said: "The government of Spain and the whole state are with the victims and also with the families of the victims."Emergency teams work at the scene of a collision involving two high-speed trains near Urda station in Toledo province, Spain, on Oct. 28, 2026. Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision. Sánchez, who is facing a snap election next month, said the government was investigating the cause of the crash and any failures, vowing action "if there has been negligence."He said that the country must restore confidence in its high-speed rail network, with the crash coming after a separate disaster on the same rail line killed 46 people in January. "It is unacceptable for a country like Spain to have two high-speed accidents in less than a year," he said.Spain's transport minister Óscar Puente said the crash ⁠occurred around 8:53 a.m. Wednesday morning following a combination of technical and human errors.Puente said that at around 8:30 a.m., a computer failure led the control system near the station in Urda, Spain, to crash, with a red signal issued, causing several trains in the area to be automatically stopped in place. With the computer system down, rail traffic was then handed over to a control center.The control center communicated with the stopped trains, Puente said, and the decision was made at approximately 8:36 a.m. to authorize a state-owned Renfe high-speed train to resume its normal journey, despite the fact that there was a stationary ‌train from private rail company Iryo on the tracks ahead.An erroneous ​decision was ‌made ⁠to restart the ⁠Renfe train, breaking protocol, he said.Locals rushed to the scene of the accident, which has prompted a major national emergency response and raised questions about the safety and security of Spain's high-speed rail infrastructure, which had previously been hailed as among the most sophisticated in Europe."We cut through some fences to access the area and treated people with the first-aid kits we had brought until emergency services arrived," David Gómez, a construction worker who was working nearby and ran to help, told the newspaper El País.A view of the crash site after two high-speed trains collided in central Spain, killing dozens of people and injuring many others in Toledo, Spain on Oct. 28, 2026. "As I was trying to pull a young woman out, there was a piece of a leg," he said.Spain's royal family said they shared "in the grief of the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives."Spanish political parties said Wednesday they would briefly pause campaigning ahead of next month's general election. Spain's football federation also said it would postpone some of its Copa del Rey soccer fixtures following the collision.Juan Manuel Moreno, the president of the Andalusian regional government, said on X that there would be three days of mourning in the region.Eduarda, a passenger on the Iryo train, told Spain's Cadena SER radio that she felt a strong impact that threw her forward and she initially thought the train had made an emergency stop.After climbing down an embankment to safety, she said she saw part of the train hanging down the slope and a fire in one carriage. "I saw dead people," she added.Salvador Arriza, a 62-year-old employee of Airbus, was traveling near the rear of the Renfe train.He told the Reuters news agency the carriage ended up "completely wrecked, with seats being ripped out.""I was lucky because I was in a backward-facing seat, and the impact pushed me into it," he added. "After the first hit I was disoriented, but the worst thing was that the train then kept moving for quite some time from the inertia and that's when I thought something would happen to me."Emergency responders, including a helicopter, police and ambulances, arrived within about 20 minutes, she said.Police were still inside the trains late on Wednesday searching for additional victims. The crash site was cordoned off, with most of the injured having been taken to a hospital in the city of Toledo, about 30 minutes away.Spain has the largest high-speed rail network in Europe for trains moving more than 155 mph, with more than 1,900 miles of track, according to the European Union.The Spanish Union of Railway Drivers said it would proceed with a pre-planned strike action on Thursday, "in defense of railway safety."This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.
Two Canadians injured after fatal train crash in Spain: Carney - CityNews Kitchener
Two Canadians injured after fatal train crash in Spain: Carney CityNews Kitchener
Talarico vows to 'take back Texas' as Trump makes last push to keep the state in GOP hands
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on Tuesday decried a "corruption crisis" he says is plaguing the U.S. political system, competing for the spotlight with President Donald Trump in deeply conservative West Texas ahead of next week's midterm elections.Trump was in Texas for the third time in a month in a last-minute push to back Republican Ken Paxton and block Democrats from notching their first statewide election victory in more than three decades.Talarico took the stage in Lubbock an hour after Trump wrapped up his own speech across town. A seminarian and a former teacher, Talarico reached for metaphors from both the Bible and a famous Texas pastime — Friday night football — to cast himself as an underdog against powerful forces including Trump and Elon Musk, who is bankrolling attack ads against Talarico on Paxton's behalf."We're going to shock the nation and shock the world when we beat the billionaires and take back Texas," Talarico said.Moments earlier, Trump leaned into cultural issues to portray Talarico as too liberal for Texas."He doesn't represent your values, and we can't take a chance," Trump said.Trump won Lubbock County by 40 points in 2024, and won most of the other counties in West Texas by far more. Republicans hope the president's visit will motivate his staunch supporters to vote. The president spoke earlier in Corpus Christi, on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.As Trump's war in Iran spikes gas prices and adds pressure on Republican candidates across the U.S., he sought to highlight an earlier military operation in Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefly appeared onstage with Trump, who used the trip in part to highlight the arrangement made with Venezuela to process more of its crude oil in Texas refineries.Trump is entering the final week of his last midterms in a frenzied push to shore up Republican strongholds against unusually competitive Democratic candidates. Beyond Texas, he swung through Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, Florida and Iowa over the past week, and his next stops are Ohio, South Carolina, Florida, Kansas and Iowa again.He won all of these states in 2024.Texas tests Trump's sway over the GOPThe campaign marathon is a bet that while Trump is broadly unpopular, he still holds sway over the GOP's most loyal voters — a bloc whose participation in the elections will be critical.The strategy is facing its fiercest test in Texas, where Talarico has capitalized on the difficult political environment for Republicans and Paxton's history of ethical and legal problems.Trump argued that Paxton was a "good man" and Musk, the world's richest man, has joined Trump's effort to stop Talarico's advance."Talarico is lunatic left," Musk wrote on his social media platform, X, to his 241 million followers, part of a drumbeat of attacks he's posted against the candidate in the race's final days.Musk has headquartered Tesla and SpaceX, as well as himself, in Texas, and is so set on ensuring Republicans hold control of his adopted state that he appears to have sunk at least $158 million into defeating Talarico. Musk gave that much to the Senate Leadership Fund, which then gave the same amount to the Texas PAC, the largest contributor to Paxton's campaign.That's helped make the race one of the most expensive in the country, with over $563 million being spent on advertising between the primary and general elections, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact.While Musk's investment is a challenge for Talarico, it also falls right into the Democratic campaign's central message. At every stop, Talarico has argued that, for too long, the wealthy and their donations have corrupted politics, and that this corruption has fueled the affordability crisis.Talarico has begun naming Musk in his stump speeches. Paxton tends not to discuss him."He is trying to buy Texas," Talarico said of Musk. "Texas is not for sale."That parallels the Texas governor's race, where Democrat Gina Hinojosa is waging a spirited campaign against GOP Gov. Greg Abbott.Hinojosa has sued to access communications between Musk and Abbott, arguing that their relationship shows how cozy her opponent is with Texas’s ultra-wealthy.On Monday, a judge ruled that Hinojosa, as a state representative, must be able to review more than 1,000 unredacted pages by Thursday.Rubio's visit previews GOP's potential 2028 contestAs the midterms reach the final stretch, the early stages of the next campaign are already surfacing.Rubio, who also serves as Trump's national security adviser, was hitting the road with Trump for the first time as the president barnstorms the country. A State Department official said Rubio was traveling with Trump in his capacity as national security adviser and not secretary of state.The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the travel plans, said Rubio "needs time with the president on all kinds of issues" and "being on the plane with him gives him a chance to talk to him about these items."Rubio previously ran for president in 2016 and is considered a top prospect in 2028. He has not said whether he will run, and his political activities have been limited since becoming secretary of state.He appeared onstage with Trump briefly in Corpus Christi — and only after Trump repeatedly called on him to come forward."It's an honor to work for the greatest country in the world, for the greatest president in the history of the United States of America," he said before exiting. He was similarly brief in Lubbock, where he kept his remarks to a single sentence.Another top Republican 2028 contender, Vice President JD Vance, has been more active on the campaign trail, stopping in Michigan on Tuesday, where he called the Senate race between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed a "clash of competing visions."Meanwhile, Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. transportation secretary and potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, was in Mississippi, campaigning on behalf of Democratic Senate candidate Scott Colom a day after Trump made his own stop in the deep red state. Both parties have poured money into the state, where Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith faces a surprisingly tough challenge.It's no mystery why gas prices are up, Buttigieg said."It's because Donald Trump decided to start a war and your elected leaders refused to stop him. We can do better than that under new management," he said in Biloxi.In California, Xavier Becerra, a Democrat running for governor, urged voters to reject a voter ID ballot measure, which he said would make it harder for people to vote."We want democracy not just to shine, but be so resilient and so strong that Donald Trump cannot knock California down," Becerra said in San Francisco.___Sloan reported from Washington. Associated Press journalists Matthew Lee, Aamer Madhani and Michelle L. Price in Washington, Haven Daley in San Francisco, Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix and Joseph B. Frederick in Orangeburg, N.Y., contributed to this report.
Israel election: what we know so far
With nearly all votes counted, Netanyahu's coalition government has lost its majority, but main opponents also fail to gain outright majority; marked gains by Palestinian partiesIsrael election – live updatesFull report: Coalition talks loom in IsraelAnalysis: Rise of Palestinian parties will redraw political landscapeWith almost all votes counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government has lost its majority, but his main opponents, an alliance of Jewish Israeli parties unofficially led by Gadi Eisenkot, have also failed to gain an outright majority.Israeli media report that Netanyahu's bloc is ahead, with projections he could take 53 seats under the current vote share, but this could change further. The projections put Gadi Eisenkot's opposition bloc on 48 seats and the Palestinian parties on 19 seats. Sixty-one seats are needed to form a majority to govern in the Knesset.The remainder of votes to be counted come from absentee ballots, according to Israeli media. We can expect absentee ballots to be counted on Wednesday night, with final results by Thursday.The Palestinian Israeli parties have received a historically strong vote. The Joint List, a new ticket of several Arab-majority parties, triumphed with at least 12 seats, while Ra'am, the other Islamic party, won seven.The key question is whether the Eisenkot-led "Change" bloc (consisting of the rightwinger Naftali Bennett's Together party, the centre-left Yair Golan's Democrats and the rightwing Yisrael Beiteinu party) will partner with Palestinian Israeli parties or if they will resort to a new election, or even working with Netanyahu.Netanyahu took the stage at a post-election rally in Jerusalem just after 3am, telling his supporters that official results will show that "Likud is the largest party in Israel". He told his supporters that the country must "establish a strong, rightwing national government" – adding that a government that relied on the support of Palestinian parties must not be formed.Eisenkot told cheering supporters in Tel Aviv that the "Israeli public has voted against Netanyahu's service as Israel's prime minister … a worthy leader would have accepted the people's non-confidence and announced today his retirement from politics". In his speech, he also warned Netanyahu not to "use Israel's security" for political ends, playing on fears that the prime minister could use this period of uncertainty to launch a new attack on Iran.The Palestinian Israeli vote, which represents about 20% of the population, had long been seen as a decisive factor for who will be able to form government, and the high turnout of this election was driven by the community experiencing increased racism and discrimination under Netanyahu's government.This is the most voted-for election in Israel's political history, with many Israelis flying back into the country to cast their vote, and nearly 80% of IDF soldiers voting.Donald Trump said his endorsement had helped Netanyahu perform better than polling estimates. Continue reading...
Both blocs claim upper hand in crucial Israeli election | First Thing
Benjamin Netanyahu vows to form new coalition while opposition bloc leader says result shows prime minister should step down. Plus, a scathing review of Elon Musk's AI-generated version of The OdysseyGood morning. Israel could be in for weeks of political haggling after exit polls and partial official results showed neither Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition nor the opposition bloc led by the former general Gadi Eisenkot had won enough seats to form a government.With 70% of the vote, or 4m ballots, counted so far, the Netanyahu bloc had 54 seats, the Eisenkot-led Change bloc 47 seats, and the Palestinian parties 19 seats. Sixty-one seats are needed for a majority.What have the two leaders said so far? Israel's longest-serving prime minister vowed to assemble a coalition through agreements between his Likud party, far-right factions and Jewish religious parties. Eisenkot had said earlier in the evening that "people decided in favour of change" and Netanyahu should have "announced today his retirement from politics".What does the increase in the Palestinian bloc mean? The election was marked by a record participation by Israeli citizens of Palestinian origin, a discriminated minority that makes up about 20% of the country's population. Julian Borger explains from Nazareth that Eisenkot will have to work with Arab-Israeli leaders to have a hope of governing. Millions of other Palestinians living under Israeli rule in the occupied West Bank and Gaza cannot vote.Here is what we know about the declared results so far. Our live coverage continues on the website.What else has Trump been saying about fossil fuels? Trump suggested on Tuesday that Venezuela would become the 51st US state as the president showed off a tanker he claimed had "1m barrels of oil on it" from the country, nine months after deposing its president. Continue reading...
'Her impact was boundless': Leaders pay tribute to Dolores Huerta after her death at 96
Renowned labor leader, civil rights icon and feminist activist Dolores Huerta has died at 96, her family announced Wednesday.Her passing prompted leaders from across the country to pen touching tributes. Read their statements below.Dolores Huerta’s family“We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today at the age of 96. As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family. We know that many of you around the world share in our mourning, and we will be following up on plans to recognize and celebrate her incredible life and legacy.”Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi“Today, we sadly mourn the loss of Dolores Huerta, a leader in the American labor movement and a champion for civil rights who lead with courage and determination.Dolores was a dear friend, and we all responded to her rallying cry, 'Sí se puede,' which inspired generations of Americans to believe in the power of collective action. I was honored to host Dolores' birthday celebration at the United States Capitol when she turned 90, a compliment she returned to me at the California Democratic Party Convention in San Francisco earlier this year.May it be a comfort to her family and loved ones that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this sad time.”California Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom“Dolores represented the best of us. California — and the United States — would not be what we are today without her resolute spirit, her passion for justice and fairness, and her commitment to those overlooked and forgotten.Dolores started off as a teacher, working with the children of farmworkers, and although she moved away from the classroom, she never stopped teaching. As a leader in the National Farm Workers Association, and later the United Farm Workers, she fought for gender equity, workers' rights, and civil rights, paving the way for generations to come, and teaching people what was possible with determination and heart.She never faltered in fighting for a fairer world, continually reminding us of our shared responsibility to build a world where everyone has the respect and dignity they deserve. Because of her — and her iconic declaration, 'Sí, se puede ' — nothing was impossible.Dolores changed the course of history against all odds. Through protests and marches, including the Delano grape boycott, she fundamentally reshaped California as we know it. She was more than an inspiration — though she never stopped inspiring us — she was a dear friend.Her legacy lies not just in the accomplishments she achieved, but in the people who follow in her footsteps, who take up the mantle and keep creating a better world.”U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla“Angela and I mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, a giant in the ongoing fight for workers' rights, women's rights, and the protection of civil liberties. She leaves behind an enduring legacy as a civil rights and labor icon who fought tirelessly for better working conditions for migrant laborers and championed the rights of immigrants and women.From the Delano Grape Strike to her work for equal pay and reproductive freedom, Dolores fought until the end for a more just and equitable future. She showed us the power of organizing, the strength of solidarity, and what we can accomplish when we stand together.Now, it's on all of us to carry on that torch: to keep organizing and to keep fighting.” Civil Rights 6 hours ago Labor leader and feminist activist Dolores Huerta dies at 96 New Mexico Mar 19 5 things to know about Dolores Huerta California Attorney General Rob Bonta“Dolores Huerta was a friend, a mentor, a source of inspiration and guidance, and a lifelong hero of mine.Her activism and inspiration touched countless lives, and her ongoing legacy will surely touch countless more in the years ahead. I'm grateful she had such an influence on my own life. From my early days growing up in the headquarters of the United Farmworkers of America, to my time in public office, she was a constant, firm, irresistible force for justice and needed change.Her rallying cry "Sí Se Puede" perfectly encapsulated who she was — a woman full of fight and right who knew that if we worked together, there was nothing we couldn't achieve.There are not enough superlatives to describe her life, legacy, and the impact she had on our nation's ongoing pursuit of justice and fairness.She helped shape the history of the farmworkers’ movement and changed the face of the labor movement forever. She defined what it meant to own our power, use our voice, and ensure the people always remain the most potent force in our American democracy.My deepest condolences to her family. This is a devastating loss for so many in the labor movement and across the nation.”Congressman Jimmy Panetta“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers and a pioneer in the fight for labor and civil rights, women's rights, and equality.Her lifetime of advocacy and action helped generations of farmworkers secure better wages, safer working conditions, and a voice on the job. Dolores inspired the fight for many farmworkers to achieve the American Dream and give their children a better life. Her legacy is felt well beyond our local agricultural communities on the central coast of California and throughout our country.My heart is with her family, friends, and all those who carry forward her pursuit of giving farmworkers fairness and our children a brighter future.”Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren“I'm deeply sad to hear about the passing of Dolores Huerta, a friend and legend in the farmworkers' movement. Her work and her vision transformed our country, especially here in her home state of California. She embodied the spirit of the movement with her phrase that will live on for generations: Sí Se Puede. May she rest in peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.”California State Sen. Scott Wiener“Today we mourn the passing of a legend who truly changed our state and our country. Throughout her 96 years, Dolores Huerta never stopped fighting to make the world a better place. Her courage and passion helped build the farmworkers movement, and she never stopped fighting for justice — whether for workers, women, LGBTQ people, immigrants, or victims of climate disasters. She energized movements, spoke truth to power, and kept fighting until the end.I had the honor of working with Dolores on various issues, including holding Big Oil accountable for climate disasters and creating an estate tax in California. Her strength, courage, and determination continually inspired me. Rest in power, my friend.”California State Sen. Jerry McNerney“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my longtime friend and ally Dolores Huerta. She was a true American legend and fierce champion of farmworkers' rights, women's rights, voting rights, and social and economic justice. She will be especially missed in Stockton where she grew up and attended what is now San Joaquin Delta College. To me, she was also a trusted confidante and a steadfast partner in the fight for working families.Throughout her amazing life, she changed our world for the better, not only co-founding the farmworkers' rights movement, but also leading the labor movement, while championing women's rights, equality for all, economic justice and so much more. Her impact was boundless. Even after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, her relentless energy continued to inspire generations to organize and stand up for justice.I was deeply proud and honored to know her and to be her friend. Her legacy and life's work will never be forgotten, and the righteous causes she fought for will live on. Sí, se puede.”
On TV
South Park — 29x4: "Guinea Pig on a Stick" (Comedy Central)
When South America's beef becomes highly prized and sought after, the four boys fight to keep it in local hands.
NOVA — 53x15: "Evolution: Body Builders" (PBS)
Abbott Elementary — 6x4: "Halloween Party" (ABC)
Ava hosts an exclusive Halloween party, and Janine and Jacob get suspicious of Gregory.
New Music

No new drops today. Go rediscover something in your old playlists.

In theaters
My Duchess (95 minutes)
Telling the story of the final years of the woman who married King Edward VIII and broke up the monarchy.
Breeder (97 minutes)
An eccentric poodle breeder lures a broke college student to her remote ranch with a promise of research funding. But, as he soon learns, there’s a catch.
Launching today

Nothing launching today. Every rocket is staying grounded and behaving.

Useless Fact

The Nullarbor Plain of Australia covers 100,000 square miles (160,900 km) without a tree.

The loonie
CAD → USD
0.7125
▲ 0.0001
CAD → EUR
0.6395
▲ 0.0003
Today In History
2023 — Matthew Perry, 'Friends' Star, Dies at 54
American actor Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on the hugely popular sitcom Friends (1994–2004), died at age 54 of "acute effects ofketamine," an anesthetic drug
2007 — Cristina Kirchner elected Argentina's first female president
Argentine lawyer and politician Cristina Fernández de Kirchnerbecame the first woman elected president of Argentina
1971 — Great Britain Launches Prospero, First British Satellite
In 1971, Great Britain successfully launched Prospero, its first Earth satellite, marking an important milestone in the country's space program.
1967 — Birth of Acclaimed Actress Julia Roberts
American actress Julia Roberts, whose deft performances in varied roles helped make her one of the highest-paid and most-influential actresses in the 1990s and early 2000s, was born
1965 — Completion of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis
The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, designed by Finnish-born American architect Eero Saarinen to commemorate St. Louis's historic role as "Gateway to the West," was completed. Read our list of 10 notable people and things from St. Louis Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images
1962 — Khrushchev Capitulates During Cuban Missile Crisis
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev capitulated to U.S. demands to halt delivery of nuclear-armed missiles to Cuba, bringing to an end the Cuban missile crisis that had brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.
1955 — Birth of Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates in 1955
American computer programmer and entrepreneur Bill Gates—who cofounded Microsoft, the world's largest personal-computer software company—was born. computer technology quiz Sean Gallup/Getty Images
1919 — U.S. Congress Overrides Wilson Veto, Passes Volstead Act
The U.S. Congress overrode President Woodrow Wilson's veto and passed the Volstead Act in 1919. The Volstead Act provided enforcement guidelines for the nationwide Prohibition of alcohol that had been established by the 18th Amendment.
1918 — Czechoslovakian State Declared Independent
Tomáš Masaryk, Edvard Beneš, and other leaders issued a proclamation announcing the formation of an independent Czechoslovakian state
1914 — Jonas Salk Develops Polio Vaccine
American physician and medical researcher Jonas Salk, who developed the first safe and effective vaccine for polio, was born
1886 — Statue of Liberty dedicated
On this day in 1886 U.S. President Grover Cleveland officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty—a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States—on Bedloe's (later Liberty) Island in Upper New York Bay
1790 — Spain Signs Nootka Sound Convention with Britain
Spain, yielding to British demands, signed the convention that resolved the Nootka Sound controversy
1726 — Jonathan Swift's Novel "Gulliver's Travels" Published
In 1726, Anglo-Irish author Jonathan Swift anonymously published the landmark novel "Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World", which later became known as "Gulliver's Travels". This work is considered a keystone of English literature and helped give birth to the novel form.
1636 — Harvard University founded by Massachusetts Bay Colony
Harvard University, the oldest institute of higher learning in the United States, was founded by the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. How much do you know about early American history?

This is today, boiled down to the essentials. The full stash lives at logicalchaos.ca. Go get lost in it.