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It was the most times she had mentioned Trump at an event so far this year, according to a Biden campaign official. She also mentioned how abortion bans like the one going into effect in Florida on Wednesday threaten medical providers with criminal prosecution. “Donald Trump stripped away the rights and freedoms of women in America,” Biden said in Tampa. In remarks last month from Tucson, Arizona, she issued a blistering rebuke of the state’s Civil War-era ban while warning a second Trump term could see a possible federal abortion ban. “Part of a full-on attack, state by state, on reproductive freedom – and we all must understand who is to blame.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden, ratchets, Donald Trump, Harris, needled Trump, Trump, ” Harris, ”, Roe, Wade, Trump’s, ” Trump, “, Joe Biden, Fentrice Driskell, ” “, don’t, ” Driskell, it’s, Tampa –, “ Donald Trump, ” Biden, Jimmy Carter, …, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Nikki Fried, ” Fried Organizations: Florida CNN —, Biden White House, Biden, CNN, Tampa, Republicans, Democratic, Duval County, Jacksonville, Trump, Democrats, Democratic Party, Mar, Florida Democratic Locations: Jacksonville, Florida, America, Tampa, Duval, Duval County, Trump, Tucson , Arizona, Arizona, New York, North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Los Angeles , Nevada , Wisconsin, Georgia, Gainesville , Miami, Orlando, Lago, Palm Beach

☆ Election Updates: Trump campaigns in battleground states for the first time since his trial began.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Chris Cameron | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The Louisiana secretary of state has ordered that the congressional map be finalized by May 15. Even so, they said, it was evident that creating a second district with a majority of Black voters was lawmakers’ overarching objective. But in the map drawn by the Republican-controlled Legislature, only one of the six congressional districts had a majority Black population. The ruling reaffirmed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which had been diminished over the years by the court’s conservative majority. Critics of Tuesday’s ruling argued that the repercussions in Louisiana could extend beyond a single election, or even partisan divisions.

Persons: ”, Critics, Eric H, Holder Jr, Liz Murrill, “ I’ve, ’, David C, Joseph, Robert R, “, Carl E, Stewart, —, Tuesday’s, Ashley Shelton, Ms, Shelton Organizations: Black, U.S . Constitution, National Democratic, Republican, U.S, Supreme, . Constitution, State Legislature, Lawmakers, U.S ., Appeals, Fifth Circuit, American, Western, Western District of, Louisiana Legislature, voters, Power Coalition for Equity, Justice Locations: Louisiana, U.S ., ., Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Western District, Western District of Louisiana, Black, U.S

☆ Georgia presses on with Putin-style ‘foreign agent’ bill despite huge protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Christian Edwards | Niamh Kennedy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Georgia’s government is attempting to force through a controversial “foreign agent” law, despite international condemnation and huge protests from its citizens. Critics of the law say is it is a Kremlin-inspired effort to undermine democracy which will damage Georgia’s bid to join the European Union. The ruling Georgian Dream party first tried to pass the bill 13 months ago, but was forced into an embarrassing climbdown following a week of intense protests. Nearly 80% of Georgians support European integration, according to a poll conducted in December by the National Democratic Institute. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of Russians – especially men of service age – have fled to Georgia to avoid conscription.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ” Salome Zourabichvili, Zourabichvili, –, Irakli Gedenidze, ” Giorgi Bekurashvili Organizations: CNN, European Union, South Caucasus, “, Kremlin, EU, National Democratic Institute Locations: Soviet, Europe, United States, Tbilisi, Georgian, Russia, South, Russian, “ Russia, Georgia, Ukraine

☆ India kicks off the world's largest elections this week. Here’s what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | In Charmainemariajacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

A worker fixes a flag of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party on a hoarding of their leader and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 15, 2024. The 2024 general elections will pan out in seven phases over the next six weeks, starting April 19. India's meteoric riseUnder Modi's rule, India's economy has scaled to new heights. It is now the world's fifth-largest economy with a GDP of $3.7 trillion and has set its sight on becoming the world's third largest economy by 2027. Home to 1.4 billion people, the world's most populous country is the fastest growing economy in the world.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Idrees Mohammed, Hong Kong's, Modi, Suyash Rai, Joe Biden, Chietigj Bajpaee, Biden, Bajpaee, Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Amitendu Palit, Modi's, R.satish Babu Organizations: Bharatiya Janata Party, India's, Afp, Getty, Voters, Monetary Fund, Carnegie India, CNBC, White, Bloomberg, India, South Asia, Chatham House, BJP, National Democratic Alliance, Indian, Developmental Inclusive, Indian National Congress, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, NDA, Centre, of Foreign Relations, Reuters Locations: Lok Sabha, Lok, Hong, Washington, U.S, India, China, Raipur, Coimbatore

Referendums protecting abortion access are on a winning streak nationwide, including in states far more red than Florida. Outside of Barack Obama’s 2008 and 2012 victories, Democrats have struggled to find success in Florida while Republicans are on a roll. The GOP now controls every statewide Cabinet office in Florida, its two US Senate seats and both state legislative chambers. In 2016, Trump won Florida despite a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot that Democrats hoped would aid their performance. “There is nothing more common than Democrats claiming they have some magical way to win Florida and they always come up short,” Power said.

Persons: can’t, Floridians, –, Biden, ” Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Alex Sink, Trump, ” Sink, ”, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama’s, Obama, Ron DeSantis, “ It’s, Matt Isbell, Michael Bloomberg, ” Chavez Rodriguez, Brian Hughes, “, it’ll, Roe, Wade, Chavez Rodriguez, Nikki Fried, Evan Power, ” Power Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Electoral, Florida, Sunshine State, ” Longtime Democratic, GOP, Trump, Biden, Florida Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican Party of Locations: Florida, Nashville, Grand Rapids , Michigan, Republican Party of Florida

☆ Trump heads to Ohio ahead of competitive Senate primary with huge stakes for November
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Simone Pathe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Then came the endorsement from DeWine, who had previously suggested he wouldn’t get involved in the Senate primary. “Everyone loves Mike DeWine, but that’s not where the party is right now,” said Ohio Republican consultant Bob Kish, who’s not working for any of the candidates. The fight to defeat BrownWhoever emerges from Tuesday’s primary, Brown is in for a tough race in a state that Trump twice carried by 8 points. But like Montana Sen. Jon Tester, the other Democrat running in a Trump state this year, he’s done it before. “The Senate race will be the main event in Ohio,” said a national Democrat working on Senate races.

Persons: Donald Trump, Bernie Moreno, who’s, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown –, Trump, Moreno, Sen, Matt Dolan, Frank LaRose, Brown, Barack Obama, Republicans –, Dolan, Ohio Republicans –, Rob Portman, Mike DeWine, Kareem Elgazzar, hasn’t, ”, Bob Clegg, ” Trump, “, J.D, Vance, Clegg, DeWine, wouldn’t, Paul Vernon, “ Matt, Chris Maloney, –, ” Maloney, he’s, Bob Kish, There’s, CNN’s KFile, ” Kish, Bernie, Montana Sen, Jon Tester, they’ve, West Virginia Sen, Joe Manchin, Gaelen Morse, Ben Kindel, Besides Brown, didn’t, Bob Taft’s, Sherrod, ” Sen, Sherrod Brown, Julia Nikhinson, Hillary Clinton, won’t, ” CNN’s David Wright Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP, Democratic, Senate, Trump, Republicans, Ohio Republicans, Ohio GOP, Warren County GOP adjourns, Green Beret, Club, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Guardians, Central State University, AP, Buckeye State, Republican Party –, “, West, PAC, Fund, Reuters, Democrat, Capitol Locations: Ohio, Warren County, Lebanon , Ohio, Mexico, Colombian, Wilberforce , Ohio, Montana, Trump, Columbus, Ohio’s suburbs, “

☆ With Government Relocated, Egypt Set to Unveil Overhaul of Downtown Cairo
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

The area, modelled on Paris in the 1860s, is filled with elegant but crumbling buildings constructed over the subsequent seven decades. The Sovereign Fund has already taken control of three prime properties in central Cairo, and received ownership of 11 former ministry buildings in a decree published this week in the official gazette. "Some of the buildings are already evacuated, but there is a mobilisation plan for relocating into concentrated locations for whoever is staying and not moving to the new capital," Soliman said. Work on the ground would begin "probably within the first half of this year," Soliman said. It would include a three-star Moxy hotel by Marriott, the first in Egypt, Soliman said.

Persons: Patrick Werr CAIRO, Ayman Soliman, Soliman, We're, Patrick Werr, Aidan Lewis, Alex Richardson Organizations: Sovereign Fund, Misr Insurance, Reuters, European Bank for Reconstruction, National Democratic Party, NDP, Marriott Locations: Paris, Cairo, Egypt

☆ Biden wins New Hampshire primary, CNN projects, with successful write-in campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Michael Williams | Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —President Joe Biden will win the New Hampshire primary, CNN projects, calming the anxieties of Democrats concerned that lagging enthusiasm over his campaign and the absence of his name from the ballot could add up to an embarrassing defeat. Those worries led Biden loyalists to launch an unofficial write-in campaign for the president, encouraging rank-and-file Democrats to go to the polls to make a show of support for the incumbent president. While the Biden campaign will welcome the result as a positive sign of enthusiasm for the 81-year-old’s reelection bid, the victory is just that: symbolic. As those worries grew, Biden surrogates began to promote a write-in campaign aimed at Granite State Democrats and the “undeclared” independents who wanted a say in the Democratic primary. The Biden campaign will be closely watching the race between Trump and Haley.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Biden surrogates, Kamala Harris, Haley, Trump Organizations: CNN, New, New Hampshire, Democratic Party, Democratic, Granite State Democrats, DNC, Trump Locations: New Hampshire, Virginia, South Carolina, South

☆ New Hampshire’s presidential primary: 6 things to watch
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Eric Bradner | Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Nikki Haley doesn’t defeat former President Donald Trump in New Hampshire’s primary on Tuesday, the fight may be over. Haley said Sunday she would “absolutely” remain in the Republican presidential race through South Carolina’s February 24 primary. Recent departures from the 2024 race have already shaped the New Hampshire Republican primary. Another 3% of likely GOP primary voters say they’d vote for someone else. For her part, Haley insisted Monday on Fox News that she’ll continue in the race, no matter the outcome of the New Hampshire primary.

Persons: CNN — It’s, Nikki Haley doesn’t, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Haley, Chris Sununu, Joe Biden, That’s, —, She’s, Sununu, DeSantis, Iowa’s Kim Reynolds, “ I’ve, ”, “, “ I’m, She’ll, Montana Sen, Steve Daines, “ Donald Trump, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy’s, Trump, “ Vivek, Ron, ” Trump, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, “ Trump, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, he’s, ” Haley, Will Haley, Chris LaCivita, Susie Wiles, LaCivita, Wiles, ” “, Marianne Williamson, Dean Phillips Organizations: CNN, South Carolina Gov, Florida Gov, Trump, Republican, GOP, Republican Party, NBC, Sunday, New, South, Senate, New Hampshire Republican, New Jersey Gov, Granite State, University of New, United Nations, Capitol, Democratic, Fox News, Democratic Party, Democratic National Committee, Minnesota, Biden Locations: New, Granite, New Hampshire, — Iowa, New Hampshire , Nevada, South Carolina, Iowa, North Charleston, DeSantis, Nevada’s, Nevada, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Granite State, University of New Hampshire, Rochester , New Hampshire, Derry , New Hampshire, Seabrook , New Hampshire

☆ Germany Can Cut Funding to Far-Right Party, Rules Court
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KARLSRUHE, Germany (Reuters) - Germany can cut off state funding to the successor party to the far-right NPD even though it is not banned, the Constitutional Court said on Tuesday in a landmark ruling which adds fuel to a debate about whether the nationalist AfD could be penalised. The court in Karlsruhe justified its decision by saying the National Democratic Party (NPD) and its successor, Die Heimat, aimed to impair or eliminate the country's democratic system. The ruling is being closely watched as mainstream politicians struggle to respond to a surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), second in most polls with support of about 22%. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Germany protesting against the AfD after a report that some party members discussed policies such as mass deportations of people of foreign origin at a meeting of right-wing radicals. (Reporting by Ursula Knapp; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Kirsti Knolle)

Persons: Ursula Knapp, Madeline Chambers, Kirsti Knolle Organizations: Constitutional, National Democratic Party, NPD Locations: KARLSRUHE, Germany, Karlsruhe, Bundestag

☆ What to Watch in the New Hampshire Primary
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Jonathan Weisman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

New Hampshire voters head to the polls on Tuesday for the first presidential primary of the 2024 nomination cycle, in a state that has been known to throw curveballs at overwhelming favorites. The withdrawal of Gov. Ron DeSantis from the Republican race on Sunday effectively left what had recently been a crowded field of candidates down to two: former President Donald J. Trump, and former Gov. The national Democratic Party, pushed by President Biden, had wanted New Hampshire Democrats to break tradition and move their primary to the end of February. New Hampshire refused, leaving the president’s supporters to mount a write-in campaign for the absent Mr. Biden against Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota, the self-help author Marianne Williams and 19 other Democrats whose names are on the ballot.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Donald J, Trump, Nikki Haley, Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williams Organizations: New, New Hampshire voters, Gov, Republican, Sunday, Democratic Party, New Hampshire Democrats, Dean Phillips of Locations: New Hampshire, South Carolina, Dean Phillips of Minnesota

Over 100,000 people have used such “same-day registration” in North Carolina during each of the last two presidential election years, so slight adjustments in the closely divided state could make a difference in this November's elections for president, governor and other statewide positions. Early in-person voting — and thus same-day registration — for the March 5 primaries begins Feb. 15. Giving people only one chance to verify by mail would be a “substantial burden on same-day registrants who cast a ballot,” Schroeder said. Schroeder acknowledged there are legitimate interests in using address verification to promote preserving the integrity of the election process and instilling voter confidence. But he wrote the plaintiffs have shown the “precise interests asserted in this case likely do not outweigh the substantial burden on the rights of same-day registrants who cast a ballot.”In 2020, about 2,150 same-day registration applicants in North Carolina failed the address verification.

Persons: District Judge Thomas Schroeder, Roy Cooper's, Schroeder, George W, Bush, ” Schroeder, Tim Moore, Grey Mills, “, mailer, ” Organizations: —, North, District, Republican, Assembly, Democratic Gov, Democratic, . Postal Service, Grey, State Board, Democratic National Committee, Democratic Party Locations: RALEIGH, N.C, North Carolina, U.S

☆ Louisiana lawmakers approve a congressional map with a second Black-majority district
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Fredreka Schouten | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Louisiana lawmakers on Friday approved a new congressional map that gives the state a second Black-majority US House district and likely puts at risk a Republican-controlled seat. The new map creates a second majority-Black district, slicing through the middle of the state, in a district currently held by Republican Rep. Garret Graves. And, in drawing the new lines, Louisiana’s GOP lawmakers rebuffed a public entreaty from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a fellow Louisiana Republican, to continue fighting the court order. Republican state lawmakers and Landry this week warned that if legislators failed to draw the map themselves, they would hand over the power to a federal judge. The new maps approved Friday protect Johnson’s seat, along with that of House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, another Louisiana GOP congressman.

Persons: Jeff Landry, “, ” Ashley Shelton, Justice –, Eric Holder, Black, Troy Carter –, –, Garret Graves, Graves, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Graves, Landry, ” Landry, Shelly Dick, Barack Obama, Steve Scalise Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democrats, Louisiana’s Republican, Louisiana’s Black, Republicans, Representatives, Gov, Black, Power Coalition for Equity, Justice, US, National Democratic, Republican Rep, Louisiana Republican, Louisiana GOP Locations: Louisiana, Washington, , Louisiana, Black, Congress

☆ Explainer-New Hampshire 2024 Primary: When Is It? What's at Stake?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

The New Hampshire primary comes eight days after Iowa's Republican caucuses, which former President Donald Trump dominated. The New Hampshire primary will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 23, with the precise hours dependent on the voting location. That means the New Hampshire primary will serve purely as a barometer of support for the Democrats in the race. But New Hampshire state law requires it to host the first primary, and the Republican-controlled state government declined to make any legislative change to its primary date. Democratic President Joe Biden is running for reelection but will not be on the ballot because of the primary date dispute.

Persons: Gram Slattery, Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, DeSantis, Haley, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Joe Biden, Trump, Chris Christie, Biden, Phillips, Colleen Jenkins, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Republican, The New, Republicans, Republican National Convention, Democratic National Convention, Democrats, Democratic Party, Hampshire's, WHO, Trump, Democratic, Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Former New Jersey, Biden, Reuters, New Locations: New Hampshire, The New Hampshire, Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina, Trump , Florida, Northeastern

Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Arakan Army is a member of the armed ethnic group alliance that recently gained strategic territory in the country’s northeast. The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement, which seeks autonomy from Myanmar’s central government. The Arakan Army first said late Sunday night that it gained complete control of Paletwa township. Paletwa, whose location on the border gives it strategic importance, is where the Arakan Army first established a foothold in 2015 to fight the against the army. However, the Chin have been a major force in the resistance against the military since the army seized power in 2021, so they now share a common enemy with the Arakan Army.

Persons: Khaing, Khaing Thukha, Aung, Suu Kyi, hasn't, Paletwa, Chin Organizations: Arakan Army, Associated Press, Military, Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army —, Paletwa Locations: BANGKOK, Rakhine, India, Bangladesh, Arakan, Paletwa, Chin, Shan, China, Suu

On Nov. 18, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced that authorities in northern Myanmar had handed over some 31,000 suspects. The Kokang Self-Administered Zone and the Wa Self-Administered Division both share a border with China and are heavily influenced by their bigger neighbor. The Ming family are not the only powerful Kokang families caught up in the drive. Wa police handed 194 Chinese nationals to Chinese authorities on Nov. 28, according to Wa's state media, Voice of Wa State. Others say that China is showing it won't tolerate the scams anymore, regardless of how powerful are the people behind them.

Persons: ”, Lu Jiantang, Jason Tower, Ming, Hu Xijin, ” Hu, Wei Qingtao, they’ll, ” Wei, Liu Zhengqi, Ming Xuechang, Kokang, Yin Masan, MNDAA, cyberscammers, Richard Horsey, “, Bai Suocheng, Li Kyar Wen, It’s, Wanqing Chen Organizations: China’s Ministry of Public Security, U.S . Congress, United States Institute of Peace, Communist Party, China’s Communist Party, CCTV, Global Times, of Public Security, Fully, Wa Construction Ministry, Wa Communist Party, Brotherhood Alliance, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, International Crisis Locations: BANGKOK, China, Myanmar, “, Wa, Kokang, Yunnan, Wa State, Shan, Arakan, cyberscams, Beijing

CNN —Almost three years on from its bloody coup, Myanmar’s military junta is facing the biggest threat to its hold on power as it fights wars on multiple fronts across the Southeast Asian nation. Junta airstrikes and ground attacks on what the Myanmar military calls “terrorist” targets have killed thousands of civilians to date, including children, and displaced about 2 million people. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImagesCNN has reached out to Myanmar’s military spokesperson for comment on the recent fighting but has not received a response. Stringer/AFP/Getty ImgesIn the jungles of southeast Kayah state, fighting has raged near the state capital Loikaw. Video filmed and published by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force appears to show Myanmar army soldiers surrendering to rebels at Loikaw University who are filmed treating their injuries.

Persons: ”, Matthew Arnold, ” Arnold, Min Aung, Aung, Suu Kyi, “, Bo Nagar, Stringer, Myint Swe, Chin Shwe Haw, Nan Diya, Lalmalsawma Hnamte, Lin Lin, Ye Myo Hein, May, – “, Karen, Chin state’s Matupi, Tian Junli, Arnold, Myanmar’s, it’s, Suu Organizations: CNN, United Nations, National Unity Government, Junta, Myanmar, UN, Administration Council, Burma National Revolutionary Army, National Liberation Army, Alliance, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, ”, Getty, Reuters, Loikaw, Karenni Nationalities Defense Force, Loikaw University, Resistance, Burma People’s Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance, United States Institute of Peace, Wilson Center, Border Guard Forces, China, Global Times, PLA Southern Theater Command Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar’s, Suu, Yangon, Mandalay, Burma, Namhsan Township, Shan State, AFP, Arakan, China, ”, Shan, Chin, Muse, Rakhine, Pauktaw, Lashio, Kayah, Mizoram, “, Sagaing region, Asia, Kawkareik, Karenni, Sagaing, India, Thailand, Bangladesh

Muse hosts the 105-Mile Trade Zone and has the greatest volume of trade with China. It is the fourth border crossing seized by the alliance forces in a month of intense fighting. Social media sites associated with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army displayed photos and video of what they said were its forces at the border gate. Fighting has been raging in the region since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, calling themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has made common cause with Beijing by declaring elimination of the cyberscam operations to be one of its goals.

Persons: Le Kyar, “, ” Le Kyar Win, couldn't, hasn't, Zaw Min Tun, Aung, Suu Kyi, Myanmar's, beseiging Laukkaing Organizations: Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Associated Press, Muse, Trade, Social, Arakan Army, National Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance Locations: BANGKOK, China, Muse, Myanmar, Shan, Maj, Zaw, Arakan, Suu, Laukkaing, Beijing

☆ Is the rule of Myanmar's junta under threat?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Importantly, they were joined also by members of so-called people's defence forces, a loosely organised movement backed by Myanmar's parallel, National Unity Government (NUG). HOW SERIOUS A THREAT IS THE JUNTA FACING? It is too soon to predict the extent to which the military's rule in the rest of the country could be under threat, analysts say. But the 1027 offensive has given a black eye to a well-equipped military with decades of experience fighting insurgencies. With its reputation at stake, the junta is unlikely to concede easily and risk a domino effect of challenges to its authority in more regions of a country where its rule is deeply unpopular.

Persons: Martin Petty, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, National Unity Government, AA, Security, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, Myanmar's Khawmawi, India, Zokhawthar, Champhai district, India's, Mizoram, Shan State, China, Rakhine State, Kayah, Thailand, Sagaing, Chin State

☆ Ecuador legislature begins new session, Noboa joins leftists for majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Alexandra Valencia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Members of Ecuador's National Assembly take part in a session, the first since President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the assembly, to elect a new head of the legislature, in Quito, Ecuador November 17, 2023. The legislature was dissolved in May by outgoing President Guillermo Lasso to avoid his own likely impeachment, bringing forward legislative and presidential elections scheduled for 2025. Analysts say the coalition could help Noboa ensure he is able to govern - unlike his predecessor Lasso - during his truncated term. Noboa, who won a runoff election in October to beat Correa's protégé Luisa Gonzalez, will be sworn in next week. Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Guillermo Lasso, Karen Toro, Daniel Noboa, Rafael Correa, Henry Kronfle, Noboa, ADN, Alfredo Espinosa, Fernando Villavicencio, Correa, Correa's protégé Luisa Gonzalez, Alexandra Valencia, Oliver Griffin, Richard Chang Organizations: Ecuador's National, REUTERS, Rights, National, Social Christian Party, PSC, Noboa's National Democratic, Thomson Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Rights QUITO

☆ Myanmar rebels seek to control border with India after early wins
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Dozens of rebels battled the Myanmar military from dawn to dusk on Monday to overrun two camps abutting India's Mizoram state, as part of a widening offensive against the junta-led administration, Chin National Front (CNF) Vice Chairman Sui Khar said. Following the battle, 43 Myanmar soldiers surrendered to Indian police and are currently sheltering in Mizoram, local police official Lalmalsawma Hnamte said. "Whether they will be pushed back or not, we are waiting for further instructions from the central government," he told Reuters. Chin rebels will now look to consolidate their control along the India-Myanmar border, where the Myanmar military has two more camps, Sui Khar said. A Rathedaung resident told Reuters on Tuesday the area came under artillery fire overnight and that military soldiers had entered the town.

Persons: Sui Khar, Kyaw Naing, Lalmalsawma Hnamte, Chin, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Krishn Kaushik, Kanupriya Kapoor, Devjyot, Michael Perry, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, Chin, Myanmar's, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Reuters, Human Rights Organization, Myanmar, Arakan Army, Artillery, Thomson Locations: Myanmar, India, Farkawn, Mizoram, Myanmar's Shan, Kayah, Rakhine, Chin, Rakhine's, Myanmar's Chin, India's Mizoram, China, Shan State, Sittwe, Rathedaung, Minbya, Suu, MIZORAM, DELHI

☆ Why did Democrats win the Kentucky governor's race but come up short in Mississippi? It was an election cycle of unique contrasts.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Andy Beshear won reelection, but Brandon Presley lost the Mississippi governor's race. Kentucky is also a conservative Southern state where voters generally back Republicans in most statewide races, yet Democratic Gov. AP Photo/Timothy D. EasleyIn Kentucky, Beshear ran an ad featuring Hadley Duvall, a young woman who had been raped by her stepfather at age 12. In Louisville, which is consolidated with Jefferson County, Beshear won 70% of the vote. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn Mississippi, Presley relied more on an urban-rural coalition.

Persons: Andy Beshear, Brandon Presley, —, Tate Reeves, Presley, Daniel Cameron, Roe, Wade, Beshear, Cameron, Timothy D, Hadley Duvall, Duvall, Reeves, David Goldman Lexington, Donald Trump, Steve Beshear, Elvis Presley Organizations: Mississippi, Service, Virginia, Delegates, Republican Gov, Democratic, GOP, Beshear, AP, Easley, Mississippi Democrats, Fayette County Locations: United States, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Southern, Easley In Kentucky, In Louisville, Jefferson, Jefferson County, Louisville, Fayette County, Fayette, Gulf, Jackson, Delta, Hinds County

Myanmar's junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing, who ousted the elected government in a coup on February 1, 2021, presides over an army parade on Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021. "This is the weakest the Tatmadaw has been since the coup," the diplomat said, referring to Myanmar's military and asking not to be named. Maung Saungkha, leader of the Bamar People's Liberation Army, which contributed troops to the offensive, told Reuters the rebel alliance had spent more than a year preparing to take on the better-armed military. CHINA'S SHADOWSo far, rebel troops have faced unexpectedly weak opposition from the military, according to analysts and resistance leaders who spoke to local media. In a statement announcing the operation, the alliance said they intended to remove those enclaves, which they said were protected by the junta.

Persons: General Min Aung Hlaing, Stringer, Maung Saungkha, Nobel, Aung, Suu Kyi, Min Aung, Richard Horsey, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Armed Forces, REUTERS, Junta, United States Institute of Peace, United Nations, Liberation Army, Reuters, National Unity Government, Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Crisis, Thomson Locations: Naypyitaw, Myanmar, BANGKOK, China, Myanmar's, Shan, Beijing, Suu, Sagaing, Arakan

(AP) — After being in office for over a decade, Mississippi state Sen. Dean Kirby got challenged in the Republican primary. More than four-fifths of Mississippi's legislative candidates will have no major-party opposition in the Nov. 7 general election. And more than half of this year's winners will have faced no other Republicans or Democrats in either the primary or the general election. Though Mississippi represents an extreme example, it highlights a national decline in competition for state legislative seats. The DLCC is spending a few thousand dollars this year on several legislative races in the largely uncompetitive Republican-leaning states of Mississippi and Louisiana.

Persons: JACKSON, Sen, Dean Kirby, Kirby, Jackson, “, ” Kirby, ”, Steven Rogers, ” Rogers, Rogers, Joe Biden, Abhi Rahman, ” Rahman, Barbara Blackmon, Ed Blackmon, Bradford Blackmon, Lawrence Blackmon, . Sen, Robert Jackson’s, Reginald Jackson, Andy Berry, Berry, he's, ” Berry, ___ Lieb Organizations: Republican, Democratic, Saint Louis University, The Associated Press, Ballotpedia, State Legislatures, Republicans, Democratic Legislative, ”, Three Democratic, Senate, Bradford, Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association, Mississippi Beef Council Locations: Miss, Mississippi, Though Mississippi, In Mississippi, State, Louisiana, New Jersey, Virginia, Jackson, Jefferson City , Missouri

[1/3] A view of a sign supporting Democratic candidate for Virginia State Senate District 27 Joel Griffin on a lawn in Stafford, Virginia, U.S. October 3, 2023. Democrats argue even a 15-week limit is unacceptable and warn that Republicans might seek to restrict abortion further in the future. Every seat in the state Senate and House is on the ballot in November, and control in each chamber is likely to come down to a handful of competitive districts. Like other Democrats in the state, Griffin has made protecting abortion rights a pillar of his campaign. Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Stafford, Virginia and Joseph Ax in New York Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joel Griffin, GABRIELLA BORTER, Britainy Riggins, Riggins, Griffin, forestalling, Glenn Youngkin's, Donald Trump, Todd Gilbert, Susan Swecker, Monica Gary, Tara Durant, AdImpact, Griffin's, Durant, Zack Roday, Mary Jane Mitchell, Roe, Gabriella Borter, Joseph Ax, Colleen Jenkins, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Democratic, Virginia State, District, REUTERS, U.S, Virginia Republicans, Republican, Gallup, Democratic Party, States, Virginia Public, Republicans, Marine Corps, Twitter, Reuters, Youngkin's PAC, Democrat, Air Force, Wade, Thomson Locations: Stafford , Virginia, U.S, STAFFORD , Virginia, Republican, Virginia, U.S ., Stafford, New York

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