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Trump Speaks in Battleground Pennsylvania, Harris Makes Michigan Push
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Republican presidential nominee and former US President Donald Trump looks on during a rally at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in Uniondale, New York, US, Sept. 18, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Republican Donald Trump made a last pitch for support in Pennsylvania, the largest of the seven states expected to decide this week’s US presidential election, while Democratic rival Kamala Harris focused her energy on Michigan on Sunday.
Opinion polls show the pair locked in a tight race, with Vice President Harris, 60, bolstered by strong support among women voters while former President Trump, 78, gains ground with Hispanic voters, particularly men.
Voters overall view both candidates unfavorably, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, but that so far has not dissuaded them from casting ballots. More than 76 million Americans have already done so ahead of Tuesday’s Election Day, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, approaching half the total 160 million votes cast in 2020, which saw the highest US voter turnout in more than a century.
North Carolina, another swing state, reported setting a record when its early-vote period ended on Saturday.
Control of the US Congress is also up for grabs on Tuesday, with Republicans favored to capture a majority in the Senate while Democrats are seen as having an even chance of flipping Republicans’ narrow majority in the House of Representatives. Presidents whose parties have not controlled both chambers have struggled to pass major new legislation over the past decade.
“Here’s all you need to know: Kamala broke it and we’re going to fix it,” said Trump, beginning his rally in Lititz, in central Pennsylvania, an hour late and his voice raspy. In a speech where he repeatedly criticized the US election process, he added, “It’s a damn shame and I’m the only one who talks about it because everyone is damn afraid to talk about it.”
Trump is later due to speak in Kinston, North Carolina, before ending his day with an evening rally in Macon, Georgia. Those two states are the second-biggest prizes up for grabs on Tuesday, with each holding 16 of the 270 votes a candidate needs to win in the state-by-state Electoral College to secure the presidency. Pennsylvania offers 19 electors.
Nonpartisan US election analysts reckon Harris would need to win about 45 electoral votes in the seven swing states to win the White House, while Trump would need about 51, when accounting for the states they are forecast to win easily.
HARRIS IN MICHIGAN PUSH
Harris is due to speak at a church in Detroit, the largest majority-Black US city, at around noon ET (1700 GMT) on Sunday before heading to East Lansing, a college town in an industrial state that is viewed as a must-win for the Democrat.
She faces skepticism from some of the state’s 200,000 Arab Americans who are frustrated Harris has not done more to help end the war in Gaza and scale back aid to Israel. Trump visited Dearborn, the heart of the Arab American community, on Friday and vowed to end the wars in the Middle East.
Harris, who has met behind closed doors with selected Arab American and Muslim leaders, will focus her energy on Black neighborhoods on Sunday.
Samah Noureddine, 44, a Lebanese American from Grosse Ile, a town near Detroit, said she voted for Biden in 2020 but was casting a ballot for Jill Stein of the Green Party this year.
“I’m upset because Harris is funding the genocide and if we get Trump we’re going to suffer too,” she said. “I’m sick of both of them.”
COST OF LIVING
In the campaign’s final days, Harris has sought to convince voters that she will bring down the cost of living, a top concern after several years of high inflation. She has also portrayed Trump as dangerous and erratic and urged Americans to move on from his divisive approach to politics.
“We have an opportunity in this election to turn the page on a decade of Donald Trump trying to keep us divided and afraid of each other. We’re done with that,” she said in Charlotte on Saturday.
Trump has argued that Harris, as the sitting vice president, should be held responsible for rising prices and the high levels of immigration of the past several years, which he has portrayed as an existential threat to the country.
The stakes are high, with Harris and Trump having starkly different views of the economy, the role of government in American life and the role of the US in the world.
One illustration of that came from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump supporter and opponent of military aid to Ukraine as it fights off a Russian invasion. Orban said Europe will need to rethink its support of Ukraine if Trump wins.
Trump’s public comments have suggested he could seek to wind down US aid for Ukraine if he wins on Tuesday.
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Kanye West Declares ‘I Love Hitler, I’m a Nazi’ as Rapper Condemned for Another Antisemitic Rant on X
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Singer Ye, formerly known as Kanye West (2nd R), laughs before presenting his Fall/Winter 2015 partnership with Adidas at New York Fashion Week February 12, 2015. Photo: Reuters
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, posted another antisemitic rant on X/Twitter early Friday morning, similar to the one he posted on the social media platform in 2022 targeting Jews.
Ye posted a series of antisemitic messages in which he repeatedly praised and expressed love for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and went on a rampage about how much he dislikes Jews. He declared “Im a Nazi” and “Im racist, Stereo types exist for a reason and they all be true.” He later added, “I love Hitler now what bi—es” and said, “Me loving Hitler is old news” as well as. “I am God Jesus Hitler Ye Like I told you.”
He claimed Jews are “always gonna steal” and “actually hate White people and use Black people.” He also said some of his best friends are Jewish “and I dont trust any of them.”
“White people do not f—k with ni—as they leave that to the Jews If you think you getting money with a white person its not true that so called white person is actually Jewish Jews hate Whites because of the Germans from World War 2,” he tweeted. He also admitted, “I dont even know what the f—k anti semetic [sic] means.” He claimed antisemitism is “just some bulls—t Jewish people made up to protect their bulls—t.”
The rapper also criticized Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk for stealing his “Nazi swag” after the latter stirred controversy for making a hand gesture at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration rally last month that resembled a Nazi salute. Ye tweeted, “Elon stole my Nazi swag at the inauguration yoooo my guy get your own third rale.”
In October 2022, Ye tweeted about wanting to physically harm Jews. “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote in the since-deleted post, referring to the US military’s DEFCON system for rating how alert the armed forces should be at a given moment in the face of a threat. He also tweeted at the time: “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic [sic] because black people are actually Jew also You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
Ye lost a number of brand partnerships because of his remarks, including the Adidas and Yeezy collaboration, and his X account was temporarily locked. He later apologized for his antisemitic comments — in Hebrew — and said he “definitely was drinking” when he was posted the antisemitic comments in 2022, specifically Hennessy.
Not long after Ye’s antisemitic rampage in 2022, he praised Hitler in an interview with far-right talk show host Alex Jones and promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories and stereotypes during an interview with then-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
On Friday, Ye tweeted that he “will not apologize” for his antisemitic remarks this time and insisted that he was sober during his foul-mouthed tirade.
He said: “Aint nobody ramped up either Im calm as ice this is how I really feel how I really felt and how I will always feel … any Jewish person that does business with me needs to know I dont like or trust any Jewish person amd [sic] this is completely sober with no Hennessy [sic].”
“You Jewish ni—as dont run me no more,” he added. “This is a free country and this is my free opinion.” He said in a separate post: “Im never apologizing for my Jewish comments. I can say whatever the f—k I wanna say forever. Where’s my f—king apology for freezing my accounts. Suck my d—k how’s that for an apology.”
“IF I LOST EVERYTHING AGAIN TONIGHT WAS WORTH IT I CAN DIE AFTER THIS,” he stated.
The majority of Ye’s antisemitic comments from Friday morning are no longer on X, but it’s unclear if he deleted them or if X removed them from the platform.
US Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said Ye “should be ostracized for his rabid antisemitism.”
The Campaign Against Antisemitism and the organization StopAntisemitism both called on Musk to delete Ye’s account from X in light of his recent antisemitic tirade.
“Once again, Ye has gone on an antisemitic rampage online. It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite,” said a CAA spokesperson. “More people have viewed these posts than there are Jews on the planet. It is obvious that Ye has not learned his lesson the first time, when Adidas ended its partnership with him, following our call to do so. At a time of unprecedented antisemitism, there can be no mistaking this incitement for exactly what it is. We call on Elon Musk to remove him from X.”
At this very moment, @kanyewest is going on yet another antisemitic rampage.
It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite. More people have viewed these posts than there are Jews on the planet.
It is obvious that Ye has not learned his lesson the first… pic.twitter.com/qXeXQsjb4F
— Campaign Against Antisemitism (@antisemitism) February 7, 2025
StandWithUs encouraged Jews to exhibit pride in their Jewish identity, despite the hateful remarks made by the rapper.
“Once again, Kanye West spewed vile antisemitism on his X account, which reaches millions of people,” StandWithUs said in a statement on X. “This is indicative of how mainstream antisemitism has become. The more hatred and bigotry that Jewish people face, the more important it is for Jews to carry their identity like a badge of honor. To every Jewish person out there: We hope that even in the face of hate, you will celebrate your Jewish identity with pride and love. We Stand With You.”
The Anti-Defamation League condemned Ye’s “egregious display of antisemitism, racism, and misogyny.” It reminded the public that according to ADL research, 30 antisemitic incidents across the US were tied to Ye’s antisemitic comments in 2022. “We condemn this dangerous behavior and need to call it what it is: a flagrant and unequivocal display of hate,” the organization said.
The Combat Antisemitism Movement told Ye, “Your antisemitic rants are as absurd and repulsive this time around as they were back in 2022. We hope you get the help you so clearly need, and fast.”
David Draiman, the Jewish lead singer of the rock band Disturbed, said in a post on X addressed to Ye: “Maybe you should apologize to the world for being a miserable, overhyped, sexist, racist, antisemitic c—t who has nothing better to do than harass #Jews ?”
The post Kanye West Declares ‘I Love Hitler, I’m a Nazi’ as Rapper Condemned for Another Antisemitic Rant on X first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israel Presents White House With Plan to End Gaza War if Hamas Gives Up Power, Leaders Go Into Exile: Report
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US President Donald Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk in the midst of a joint news conference in the White House in Washington, US, Jan. 28, 2020. Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuahu has presented to US officials a proposal to end the war in Gaza in exchange for the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas giving up power and its leaders leaving the enclave, according to a new report.
Under the plan, Israel would agree to release “senior” Palestinian prisoners that it did not want to free during the first phase of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal, which began on Jan. 19, the news site Axios reported on Thursday. In return, Hamas would release the remaining hostages, cede control of Gaza, and send its top leaders — including those serving jail sentences — into exile.
During his trip to Washington this week, Netanyahu reportedly informed the Trump administration that he does not believe the war in Gaza can end while Hamas controls the coastal enclave, arguing that an unconditional surrender by the terrorist group and an expulsion of its leaders would open the possibility for a lasting peace.
According to Axios, Netanyahu told US officials this week that he wants to prolong the first phase of the ceasefire beyond the 42-day benchmark in order to free more than the 33 hostages originally agreed upon. Israel, which initially agreed to release more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of the deal, would release more in exchange for the release of more hostages.
Israeli officials close to the deal believe that a renegotiation could result in securing the release of two or three more hostages during the first phase. Furthermore, observers believe that an extension of the first phase of the deal would buy Israel more time to negotiate the freedom of its citizens without having to vacate troops from Gaza.
If Netanyahu succeeds in extending the first phase of the ceasefire, he plans on presenting Hamas officials a proposal to release a set of “senior” Palestinian prisoners that Israel initially refused to free, Axios reported.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has reportedly agreed to hand over civilian governance of Gaza and relinquish reconstruction duties to the Palestinian Authority or another party.
However, there are some potential roadblocks that could result in a resumption of the war in Gaza, senior Israeli officials warn. The terrorist group will not agree to disarm or dissolve its military wing, according to Axios. Moreover, Israeli officials say the odds that Hamas leaders willingly exile themselves from the Gaza Strip are “extremely low.”
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Israel on High Alert Ahead of Next Hostage Release as Hamas Fails to Deliver List of Names on Time
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Families and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas gather to demand a deal that will bring back all the hostages held in Gaza, outside a meeting between hostage representatives and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad
As Israel prepares for the fifth wave of hostages to be released under the recently brokered ceasefire with Hamas on Saturday, the nation remains vigilant against potential violations by the Palestinian terrorist group.
A significant aspect of the ceasefire agreement involves the IDF’s planned withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor, a strategic area that bisects the Gaza Strip. If the process proceeds without incident, the military intends to complete this withdrawal by Sunday, signaling a step toward de-escalation.
However, the Israeli military on Friday said that it had bolstered its presence at key points within the Gaza Strip. The Southern Command’s leadership has conducted multiple field assessments alongside frontline soldiers to ensure readiness for any unforeseen developments during the hostage transfer process.
Israel’s defense ministry said that any violation of the agreement will be dealt with severely.
Hamas claimed that Israel had not fulfilled its side of the deal in transferring humanitarian aid, but Israel denied the claim, saying that 12,600 trucks of aid had arrived in Gaza since the beginning of the deal’s implementation on Jan. 19.
Israel was slated to receive the list of hostages scheduled for release in the fifth wave on Friday, but Hamas delayed announcing the names of the three Israelis due to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, who were largely detained for terrorist activity.
Unlike previous exchanges, Hamas has not committed to a specific category of hostages for this round, adding a layer of uncertainty and tension for the families awaiting news.
Israel is exerting diplomatic pressure on mediators to prioritize the release of Shiri Bibas and her young children, Kfir and Ariel.
The forthcoming hostage releases over the next month under phase one of the ceasefire deal are expected to include 20 individuals: seven adults over the age of 50, ten identified as sick or wounded, and three members of the Bibas family.
The list of sick or wounded individuals includes American-Israeli Sagi Dekel-Chen.
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists started the war in Gaza when they murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel responded with a military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in the neighboring enclave. The conflict raged for nearly 16 months until both sides agreed to last month’s ceasefire and hostage-release deal, the first phase of which is set to last six weeks.
During phase one, Hamas is supposed to inform Israel of the next hostages to be freed 24 hours before their release.
US President Donald Trump’s new proposal to “take over” Gaza has introduced a contentious element into the fragile ceasefire agreement.
Critics argue that the plan could undermine the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, but others say it will only strengthen Israel’s position. An unnamed Hamas official cited by Israel’s Channel 12 said that the terrorist group would see how the plan develops before deciding to change the terms of the deal. Nonetheless, the official said that the “takeover” proposal would not thwart the first phase of the plan.
Seventy-nine hostages remain in Hamas captivity. Upon the conclusion of the initial phase of the agreement, 59 hostages will still be held in Gaza, with 35 already declared deceased.
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