Politics

For the first time in U.S. history, residents are now legally allowed to bet on the outcome of congressional elections. This unprecedented opportunity emerged on Thursday after a judge ruled in favor of permitting such wagers, a decision that has placed Kalshi, a New York-based startup, at the center of this groundbreaking development. Shortly after the ruling, Kalshi began accepting bets on which political party would gain control of the Senate and House in November’s elections. The company, which offers “prediction contracts” — simple yes-or-no bets on political outcomes — is operating under a temporary allowance, as the legality of such betting remains under scrutiny by regulators. Despite multiple requests for comment, neither Kalshi nor its attorney provided further insight into the s...

In a significant move ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign reported an impressive fundraising haul in August, surpassing former President Donald Trump’s fundraising by a considerable margin. Harris, who officially launched her candidacy earlier this year, raised $361 million in just one month, a sum more than double what Trump’s campaign raised during the same period. This record-breaking amount came from nearly three million individual donors, highlighting the widespread support and enthusiasm surrounding her candidacy. In contrast, Trump’s campaign reported raising $130 million in August. Despite the strong figure, it fell far behind Harris’s fundraising total. By the end of the month, Harris’s campaign had accumulated a total of $404 milli...

In a significant legal development, a New York judge has decided to postpone the sentencing of former President Donald Trump until after the upcoming U.S. presidential election, originally scheduled for September 18. Trump, who is running for re-election as the Republican candidate, had requested this delay, citing the timing of the case in relation to his campaign. Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, confirmed on Friday that the sentencing will now take place on November 26, unless the case is dismissed earlier. Trump’s legal team had argued that there wouldn’t be sufficient time for them to challenge a potential ruling in the case before the sentencing, particularly given the pending decision on a motion regarding presidential immunity. The motion, tied to a landmark Supreme Cou...

On Wednesday, the U.S. government unveiled a series of measures aimed at countering Russian efforts to meddle in the upcoming presidential election. These actions include criminal charges against two employees of a Russian state-run media organization, RT, and the confiscation of several internet domains linked to Russian disinformation campaigns. This latest push represents the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of its elections from foreign interference, particularly from Russia, which U.S. officials have repeatedly identified as a primary threat. These developments come amid ongoing concerns about the potential for foreign influence in U.S. elections, with the government taking proactive steps to address the issue. Despite these new actions, U.S. officials cont...

The tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, has shifted focus onto the actions—or lack thereof—of the local police chief and other law enforcement personnel. Delays in confronting the shooter, who remained inside the school for over an hour, have fueled anger, raising the possibility of lawsuits, penalties, and even criminal charges against the officers involved. This attack marks the deadliest school shooting in the United States in nearly a decade. However, confusion and contradictory accounts from police in the days following the tragedy have only deepened public frustration. By the end of the week, authorities confirmed that students and teachers had desperately called 911, pleading for help. Meanwhile, Pete Arredondo, the schoo...

Democrats celebrated significant wins in gubernatorial races across the blue-wall states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin on Tuesday, bolstering their ability to counter Republican-controlled legislatures on crucial issues such as abortion rights and election integrity. These victories highlight the ongoing importance of state-level leadership in shaping policy and preserving democratic norms. In Michigan and Wisconsin, Democratic governors Gretchen Whitmer and Tony Evers successfully secured re-election, while in Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro triumphed, succeeding outgoing Democratic Governor Tom Wolf. These three states, often referred to as the “blue wall,” played a pivotal role in President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory over Donald Trump, particularly as Republicans sought to ...

President Joe Biden has urged Congress to take decisive action on gun control, calling for stronger measures to address the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States. Speaking from the White House on Thursday, Biden asked lawmakers to prioritize legislation aimed at curbing access to assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. “How many more lives must be lost before we say enough is enough?” Biden implored during his remarks. He emphasized the need for immediate reforms, including raising the minimum age to purchase assault weapons from 18 to 21 and strengthening background checks. These proposals, according to Biden, are “reasonable measures” that could save lives. The debate over gun control reignited following the devastating mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde...

The town of Uvalde, Texas, has been gripped by sorrow as funerals began Tuesday for the 21 victims of the horrific mass shooting at Robb Elementary School. On May 24, an 18-year-old gunman armed with an assault rifle stormed the school, killing 19 children and two teachers in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The first funerals were held for two 10-year-old girls, Amery Jo Garza and Mayte Yuleana Rodriguez. Amery, remembered as sweet, sassy, and full of life, loved swimming and drawing, according to her obituary. Mayte, described as a bright and dedicated student, was passionate about learning and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, inspired by her love for whales and dolphins. Additional funerals for the other victims are scheduled to take place over the coming we...

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, schools across the United States are grappling with heightened fears of violence and a surge in copycat threats. The massacre, which claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers on May 24, has led to increased security measures, the deployment of additional police officers, and restrictions on campus access. For many families and educators, the measures are a grim reminder of the fraught state of school safety in the country. Jake Green, a 34-year-old father from Los Alamos, New Mexico, experienced this unease firsthand when he dropped off his 7-year-old daughter at school and noticed a plainclothes police officer standing nearby. Having grown up near Columbine, Colorado, where two students killed 12 classm...

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Uvalde, Texas, on Sunday to offer condolences to the grieving community devastated by the tragic school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The Bidens arrived mid-morning and spent the day meeting with victims’ families, survivors, and members of the community. Their visit included a stop at a memorial site honoring the victims and attendance at Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. This marks the second time in May that President Biden has traveled to the site of a mass shooting. Earlier this month, on May 17, he visited Buffalo, New York, where he met with the families of the victims of a racially motivated attack that left 10 Black people dead at a supermarket. A community in mourning In a statement relea...