Harris closes campaign in Philadelphia, Trump in Michigan on eve of deadlocked election

Updated: 5:45pm (AEDT) Reading, Pennsylvania/Allentown, Pennsylvania, US Reuters Donald Trump and Kamala Harris both predicted victory as they campaigned across Pennsylvania and other battleground states on Monday in the final, frantic day of an exceptionally close US presidential election. The campaign has seen head-spinning twists: two assassination attempts and a felony conviction for Republican former […]
Why we may not know the winner of the US presidential election on 5th November

Reuters The US presidential election will take place on 5th November, but the winner of the razor-thin race between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump may not be known for days after the polls close. As ballots are counted, one candidate may appear to be leading based on early returns, only for a rival […]
Toxic smog wreathes India’s capital as winter nears

New Delhi, India Reuters A toxic smog shrouded the Indian capital on Tuesday, driving air quality in some areas into the “severe” range ahead of winter, when cold air traps pollutants and brings a spike in respiratory illnesses. The mix of smoke, emissions, and dust is an annual problem for authorities in New Delhi, with […]
US says Russia, China “shamelessly” protects, emboldens North Korea

United Nations Reuters The United States on Monday called out Russia and China at the United Nations Security Council for “shamelessly protecting” and emboldening North Korea to further violate UN sanctions as Pyongyang pledged to accelerate building up its “nuclear force”. “Russia and China have shamelessly protected Pyongyang from any reprisal, or even condemnation of […]
Mexico President Sheinbaum chides top court ahead of judicial reform decision

Mexico City, Mexico Reuters Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the country’s Supreme Court on Monday for overstepping its authority as it weighs whether to deem part of a recently-enacted judicial reform unconstitutional. The court is expected to vote on Tuesday on a proposal that seeks to invalidate core parts of the judicial reform, which has […]
Tropical Storm Rafael gains steam, churns toward Jamaica, Cuba

Havana, Cuba Reuters Tropical Storm Rafael gained steam late on Monday as it churned northward toward Cuba, which is still struggling to recover from a nationwide blackout and hurricane two weeks ago. The US National Hurricane Center said Rafael would see “steady or rapid intensification” before plowing across western Cuba with maximum predicted winds of […]
US states worried about election unrest take security precautions

Las Vegas, Nevada, US Reuters A security fence rings a Las Vegas building where Nevada tabulates votes. An Arizona sheriff has his department on high alert to guard against potential violence with drones and snipers on standby. Governors of at least three states have called for National Guard troops to help maintain the peace. As […]
India’s Modi, Canada’s Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto

New Delhi, India Reuters The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the countries. Videos posted on social media appeared to show people hitting each other with flagpoles and throwing punches in the Toronto suburb […]
Science is what?

Have you seen those videos that say physics or science is “amazing” as they show a remarkable thing from the natural world. I’m not anti-science at all, but there is something wrong here. ILLUSTRATION: Designer things/Shutterstock There is no such object or being called ‘physics’ or ‘science’ that invents rules, does things, or controls the […]
“This is just who I am”: With Bible verses and Baptist zeal, Amanda Tyler offers how-to for dismantling Christian nationalism

In her debut book, How to End Christian Nationalism, Tyler presents a roadmap to building multi-racial interfaith coalitions and fostering what she calls ‘uncomfortable’ but necessary conversations – especially for white Christians. FIONA MURPHY, of Religion News Service, reports…