Skip to main content

US midterms: Polls show Democrats ahead in battle for Congress

Democrats lead Republicans in national polling ahead of Tuesday's United States midterm elections, with new surveys showing the party gaining ground in several closely contested Senate races as voters express dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's handling of the economy. With all 435 House of Representatives seats and 35 Senate seats on the ballot, the elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress for the remaining two years of Trump's second term. A RealClearPolling average of surveys conducted through October 30 shows Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 43.1% on the generic congressional ballot, an 8.9-percentage-point advantage. An NBC News survey conducted October 28-30 found Democrats ahead 52% to 45%, while an Emerson College poll conducted October 24-26 put the gap at 10 points. The generic ballot measures nationwide preferences for congressional candidates rather than support in individual districts, meaning a nati...

Heavy rain and snow forecast for Southern California’s burn-scarred region

A winter storm set to hit Southern California this weekend is expected to bring much-needed rain and snow, potentially extinguishing ongoing wildfires. However, it has also prompted flood watches for burn-scarred areas, raising concerns about flash floods and mudslides. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued flood watch alerts for parts of Los Angeles County, including regions affected by the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire. These areas, which have endured hurricane-force winds and dry conditions, face a heightened risk of debris flows. The alerts take effect at 4 p.m. Sunday. The Palisades Fire has burned over 23,000 acres and is 79% contained, while the Eaton Fire, burning more than 14,000 acres, is 95% contained. The burn scars left behind from these and other fires, such as the Hughes Fire in Angeles National Forest, pose significant flood risks. “While damaging debris flows are not the most likely outcome, the threat is high enough to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” the NWS office in Oxnard stated. Rain is expected to start Saturday afternoon, with heavier showers forecast for Sunday. Urban Los Angeles could see up to a quarter-inch of rain, while San Diego might receive as much as an inch. In addition to rain, snow is forecast for Southern California's mountains, with winter storm warnings issued for the San Gabriel and San Bernardino ranges. Snow accumulation could reach up to 18 inches at elevations above 6,000 feet, while areas above 4,000 feet may see up to 6 inches. The vital Interstate 5 Grapevine area could experience light snow, potentially causing travel disruptions. Even urban mountains in Los Angeles and San Diego counties could see significant snowfall, with 14 inches and 8 inches expected, respectively. The Border 2 Fire in San Diego County, which has burned over 6,000 acres since Thursday, remains only 10% contained as of Friday evening. This year has been one of extremes for Southern California. The NWS office in San Diego reported that rainfall since October has been the lowest since records began in 1860. However, the anticipated storm could bring much-needed relief. Temperatures are expected to drop by 10 to 15 degrees over the weekend, marking a sharp contrast to recent warm days. Sandbags are being offered to residents in cities like Los Angeles and Pasadena to prepare for possible flooding. Federal forecasters estimate a 10% to 20% chance of significant flooding or debris flows in affected areas. While the storm offers hope for ending wildfires, it also presents challenges for communities recovering from months of dry weather and relentless blazes.

from Latest World News, International News | Breaking World News https://ift.tt/Q5CTp6Y

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

A bridge collapsed at a cobalt mine in southeast Democratic Republic of Congo killing at least 32 wildcat miners, a regional government official said Sunday. The bridge came down Saturday onto a flooded zone at the mine in Lualaba province, Roy Kaumba Mayonde, the provincial interior minister, told reporters. He said 32 bodies had been recovered and more were being searched for. The DRC produces more than 70 percent of the world supply of cobalt, which is essential for batteries used in electric cars, many laptop computers and mobile phones. More than 200,000 people are estimated to be working in giant illegal cobalt mines in the giant central African country. Local authorities said the bridge collapsed at the Kalando mine, about 42 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the Lualaba provincial capital, Kolwezi. "Despite a formal ban on access to the site because of the heavy rain and the risk of a landslide, wildcat miners forced their way into the quarry," said Mayonde. He said ...

Arab countries, Pakistan likely to observe Eid on same day

The International Astronomy Centre confirmed on Wednesday that the crescent moon of Shawwal will be impossible to sight on Saturday, March 29, across all regions of the Arab and Islamic world. This is due to the moon setting before the sun, with the conjunction occurring after sunset. As a result, observing the crescent moon, whether by the naked eye, telescopes, or other means, will be unfeasible on March 29. For countries requiring an actual sighting to mark the start of Shawwal, Ramadan will likely extend to 30 days, with Eid Al Fitr falling on Monday, March 31. However, in some regions where the conjunction occurs before sunset, allowing the moon to set after sunset, some countries may choose to declare Eid on Sunday, March 30, following traditional moon-sighting practices. Notably, a partial solar eclipse will be visible at noon on Saturday in parts of the western Arab world, including Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This event serves as definitive proof that the cresce...

Hajj scam alert: How to verify licensed service providers

As millions of Muslims prepare for their Hajj pilgrimage, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU) has issued a critical warning against fraudulent Hajj campaigns, urging pilgrims to use only licensed service providers for a smooth and safe experience. To help ensure authenticity, the ministry recommends pilgrims use their official website, www.haj.gov.sa, to verify licensed Hajj operators. This applies to domestic pilgrims, including Saudi citizens and residents, who can access a simple online tool to check accredited companies. For UAE nationals, the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) maintains a list of approved operators on awqaf.gov.ae. International pilgrims have two main options to ensure their chosen provider is licensed. Those from eligible countries can use the Nusuk platform at hajj.nusuk.sa, an online service that facilitates Hajj bookings with accredited providers. A full list of eligible countries is available on the platform’s website. For tho...