5 things to know for Nov. 4: Presidential race, Senate, Severe weather, Iran, Spain floods
As the 2024 election approaches, big corporate names that were once heavily involved in encouraging voting have taken a step back. Companies like Nike, Under Armour, and Absolut Vodka, known for their splashy get-out-the-vote advertising campaigns in 2020, are notably absent this time around.
The absence of these star-studded ads reflects the divisive nature of the current election cycle. With just one day left before Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their final pitches to voters in key battleground states. Trump, in particular, has been using dark rhetoric on the campaign trail, questioning the legitimacy of his loss in 2020.
Harris, on the other hand, is reaching out to Michigan’s Arab American community, promising to work towards ending the conflict in Gaza if elected. Both candidates are focusing on swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and North Carolina in the final push before the election.
The Senate is also up for grabs, with Republicans in a strong position to win the majority. However, Democrats are not giving up, as their well-funded candidates have been performing well in polling. Opportunities to mitigate GOP gains have opened up in states like Texas and Nebraska, giving Democrats a fighting chance to retain some control in the Senate.
Severe weather is also a concern, with more storms expected in the Southern Plains after tornado-spawning storms caused destruction and injuries over the weekend. The Storm Prediction Center has warned of more severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and damaging winds in the region.
In Iran, a female student stripped to her underwear outside her university in what is believed to be a protest against the country’s strict Islamic dress code. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for change in a country where women can face harsh punishment for minor infractions.
In Spain, King Felipe and Queen Letizia faced angry residents during a visit to the Valencia region, where devastating floods have claimed over 200 lives. The response to the disaster has been criticized, with locals accusing authorities of negligence.
On a lighter note, actor James Van Der Beek has revealed he is being treated for colorectal cancer, but remains optimistic about his prognosis. NASA also successfully reconnected with Voyager 1, which is 15 billion miles away, using a creative solution involving 1981 technology.
Starbucks is bringing back misspelled names on coffee cups as part of a new initiative to win back customers, while New York has legalized jaywalking after over 65 years of strict enforcement. And in Australia, a missing hiker survived for days in the bush with injuries and a potential snake bite, thanks to a missing rental car leading searchers to her location.
In a sad turn of events, music legend Quincy Jones has passed away at the age of 91. Known for his contributions to jazz, pop, and film, Jones leaves behind a lasting legacy in the music industry.
