Controversial vaccine trial touted by RFK Jr gets go-ahead in Guinea-Bissau Recommended dose of hepatitis B vaccine will be withheld from thousands of newborns by Danish researchersA controversial research trial that will withhold hepatitis B vaccines from some African newborns was given approval to move forward this week.It is a central part of the vaccine vision for Robert F Kennedy Jr, the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and a longtime vaccine opponent. Continue reading...
ICJ judge Navi Pillay wins Nobel peace prize for promoting international law Committee recognises work of South African who chaired UN commission that concluded Israel was guilty of genocide in GazaThe Nobel peace prize has been awarded to Navi Pillay, the South African former UN human rights chief who chaired the UN commission that concluded Israel was guilty of genocide in Gaza.The Norwegian Nobel committee said Pillay, who is serving as a judge at the international court of justice (ICJ), has "shown that legal measures can help prevent acts of war and violence". Continue reading...
Isaias strengthens to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 season Storm expected to make landfall on US's northern Gulf coast with risk of flash floods and isolated river floodingIsaias has become the first Atlantic hurricane of the 2026 season, with wind speeds of 80mph and a minimum pressure of 975mb. It is expected to strengthen to a category 2 hurricane as it approaches the US's northern Gulf coast on Friday, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).As a result of the strong El Niño, it has been a notably quiet Atlantic hurricane season. The first hurricane of the season has not formed this late since 8 October 1905, which pre-dates the satellite era (1960s) for tracking hurricanes that has allowed for more non-landfall hurricanes to be discovered. Continue reading...
Egyptian journalists plan weekend protest over detention of six colleagues Matsadaash staff allege torture and forced confessions after being held on charges of working for Muslim BrotherhoodEgyptian journalists are planning a new protest in Cairo this weekend after six colleagues were charged with terrorism offences amid allegations they had been tortured in police detention.Last week, Egyptian authorities arrested the journalists, from the independent factchecking and investigative platform Matsadaash, accusing them in a statement of being unlicensed and producing false news on behalf of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. Continue reading...
Scientists discover 180,000 giant tortoises on one Seychelles island Free-roaming Aldabra population far exceeds human population of Seychelles after decades-long recovery programmeA survey of the world's largest free-roaming giant tortoise population has discovered that the once endangered species is thriving.A population of Aldabra giant tortoises lives on an island in Seychelles called Aldabra Atoll. Continue reading...
Thousands without power in Florida and Alabama as Isaias moves north At least four deaths linked to storm amid warnings of flash flooding that could stretch into AppalachiansAs what was left of Hurricane Isaias moved north on Sunday, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall across the central Appalachians and the mid-Atlantic region, nearly 396,000 customers across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama remained without power.Heavy rainfall associated with the storm could bring isolated flash flooding and strong wind gusts and remain a threat across the south-eastern US, especially near the southern Appalachians, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). That could bring scattered power outages and downed trees and power lines. Life-threatening surf and rip current conditions were expected to continue along the Gulf and south-eastern Atlantic coasts. Continue reading...
DHS secretary Mullin defends planned livestream of Fort Hood shooter's execution DHS secretary Mullin defends planned livestream of Fort Hood shooter's executionWashington - Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Sunday defended the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution of an ex-Army major who was convicted of the 2009 killing of 13 people at Fort Hood, while saying that he doesn't see an "elevated risk" to U.S. security amid criticism. "I think people need to understand, if you attack America, we will come after you and we will make sure that the punishment fits the crime," Mullin said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week that the Pentagon planned to publicly livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, who is set to die by firing squad on Dec. 3 in what will be the first military execution since 1961. The announcement sparked intense criticism, including from some Republicans, like Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who urged the Pentagon to reverse the "gruesome decision," saying there is "no need to livestream any execution, including this one.""I would expect this from terrorists and dictators, but not here in America," Murkowski wrote in a post on X. "It would give this individual, who deserves no further notoriety, the martyrdom he seeks."While Mullin defended the Pentagon's move, he said, "No one has to watch it if they don't choose to.""I follow President Trump. He's the commander in chief of the country, and he does a phenomenal job," Mullin said. "He leads this country with a very, very, very direct, forward, straight hand, and he's restoring America values."Mullin added that he has "no sympathy" for Hasan, adding, "I give absolutely zero thought to the way that this man dies.""My job as secretary of homeland security is to protect the homeland, and that's what we do," Mullin said. The comments come as Vice President JD Vance on Friday cast some doubt on whether the Pentagon will go ahead with the plan, saying he would not tune in if the livestream happens. The vice president said Hasan committed "the worst terrorist attack on American soil outside of 9/11" when he killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 others in the attack on the Fort Hood Army base in Texas in 2009."So whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope that people don't forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people," Vance said. "Now that said, I mean, look, if it's ultimately livestreamed, I'm not going to be watching it."Mr. Trump told reporters on Saturday that there are two schools of thought on whether to livestream the execution, saying, "I'll make a decision, ultimately."This article originally appeared on CBS News at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/markwayne-mullin-nidal-hasan-public-execution-pentagon/
Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire, but Zelensky says it's news to him Trump announces Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire, but Zelensky says it's news to himPresident Donald Trump claimed Sunday that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to an "energy ceasefire" as part of the ongoing conflict. There was no immediate confirmation from Moscow, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly said this "was news for me."Trump made a similar announcement a month ago, only for the two sides to continue their aerial attacks on each other's energy facilities."Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday morning. "Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!" He did not elaborate further on what the ceasefire might include.Zelenskyy told Axios that he knew nothing about a ceasefire deal."But if Russians agree to an energy ceasefire Ukraine will agree," Zelenskyy said, according to Axios. "If President Trump negotiated it with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin - please tell us when the ceasefire begins - we are ready and we will accept it."NBC News has reached out to Zelenskyy's office for further comment.It follows a dramatic few days in which Trump agreed to a diesel deal with the Kremlin, demanded Kyiv halt attacks on Russian oil refineries and called for Zelenskyy to be replaced. The shift left Kyiv and its European allies reeling.The U.S. agreed Friday to lift sanctions on Russian fuel in a deal that Trump said would see Russia "immediately" release 300,000 tons of diesel "to the American and global marketplace," followed by 500,000 tons in November and another million after that.Smoke rises from Gazprom Neft's Moscow oil refinery as seen from Dzerzhinsky, in the Moscow region, last month. (AFP via Getty Images)After strong criticism from Zelenskyy, Trump said Saturday: "I suggest they get a new leader who can make a deal, because he could have made many deals."Trump has sought to blame the Ukraine conflict, rather than his own assault on Iran, for a global fuel shortage that has driven diesel prices to record highs since the U.S. launched the Middle East war in February.Zelenskyy reiterated Sunday that he was ready to halt strikes on Russian refineries if the Kremlin halts its own attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. "We are ready for energy ceasefire, not to attack energy - both sides," he said in an interview on ABC News' "This Week." He added that if Russia wants an energy ceasefire, "we are open for this.""Don't attack us," he said. "Don't kill our children. We will stop attack your diesel."He also told ABC News he would hold elections if Russia agreed to a 60-day ceasefire.Zelenskyy said "it's up to Ukrainians" to choose their leader and noted that Putin would also like to change who is leading Ukraine.He said it is easy for Ukraine to be blamed for higher fuel prices "when everybody in the world understands [that] because of the war in [the] Middle East, the prices are rising."Zelenskyy was also asked on ABC News why Trump and Elon Musk blamed him for the war's continuation."Because these people can't find a key how to stop Putin, because it's more difficult to stop Putin than to pressure others, because it's more simple to speak about the prices and connect it with Ukraine," he responded, pointing to how the war in Iran was leading to higher fuel prices.This article was originally published on NBCNews.comThis article originally appeared on NBC News at https://www.nbcnews.com/world/ukraine/trump-russia-ukraine-agree-energy-ceasefire-zelenskyy-diesel-rcna602766
6 senators call for White House to 'immediately reverse course' on Russian diesel plan 6 senators call for White House to 'immediately reverse course' on Russian diesel planWASHINGTON (AP) - A bipartisan group of six senators on Sunday called for President Donald Trump's administration to "immediately reverse course" on a plan to purchase diesel from Russia as part of an effort to lower high fuel prices. Trump shocked lawmakers when he announced on social media Friday that he struck a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call. He said Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the American and global market, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons "immediately thereafter." Russia will deliver an additional 3 million tons "within a short period of time" after that, he wrote. Four Republican senators and two Democratic senators signed onto the statement released Sunday in protesting the deal. They said the administration failed to consult with Congress or submit any explanation to justify its decision as required by statute. "The United States should not provide Putin with a financial lifeline while Russia continues to kill Ukrainian civilians. The Administration must immediately reverse course," they wrote. The Republican senators who signed onto the statement are Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and John Curtis of Utah. The Democratic senators are Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut. Tillis, in an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," said there's a legitimate case for saying the president is not following the law if the administration goes through with its diesel purchase plan. "We were very clear that Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the one who can end this war by backing out of territory that they occupied," Tillis said. Trump's announcement came just a few weeks after Congress passed legislation that directed Trump to impose substantial tariffs on the top importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russia's natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports. The congressional effort was aimed at cutting the flow of money Russia receives from oil and gas sales to finance its war against Ukraine. The lawmakers also noted that Congress explicitly banned Russia energy imports in 2022 to prevent the United States from financing the war. "Congress was clear: the U.S. should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our NATO Allies," the six lawmakers wrote in their statement. "President Trump's decision to allow Russian diesel imports to the U.S. runs directly counter to that law." Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said Trump is focused on reducing the cost of energy when asked whether the president's action would be in violation of U.S. law. "The president is balancing and has to make tough decisions," Barrasso said on CBS's "Face the Nation." He also encouraged Trump to enforce the sanctions law that Congress passed last month. "This is just another point of leverage for the president to use against Putin in an effort to get a long-term solution in that part of the world," Barrasso said. Energy experts say the Russia deal is unlikely to make a dent in high prices at the pump. Richard Nephew, a senior research scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, noted that the total amount of diesel appears to be less than what the U.S. uses in a day. Nephew argued that Iran and Russia might benefit more than the U.S. "The Iranians are probably very excited because it shows that there's a lot of pressure still on the U.S. And the Russians are excited because it puts a big hole in the sanctions regime," he said. Trump has recently sought to blame record U.S. diesel prices on Ukraine rather than the U.S.-led war in Iran, which has elevated world energy prices. -- Associated Press writer Mae Anderson in New York contributed to this report.This article originally appeared on Associated Press at https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/six-senators-call-trump-administration-173315508.html
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are on the verge of retaking the House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats are on the verge of retaking the HouseHouse Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed growing confidence that his party will regain control of the House in November, as he visited two battleground districts in recent days to help Democratic candidates unseat Republican incumbents.Jeffries campaigned Friday in New Jersey's competitive 7th Congressional District alongside Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett, a Navy veteran seeking to unseat Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. The following day, he traveled to Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional District to rally with Democrat Bob Harvie, a Bucks County commissioner challenging Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.The two districts are heavily suburban, fairly affluent and politically divided - and they've caused heartburn for Democrats in recent years. The moderate Fitzpatrick has a long history of outrunning other Republicans and winning crossover support since he was first elected in 2016. Control of Kean's seat has flipped twice since 2018, but he narrowly won a competitive reelection two years ago.Democrats have invested in both races this year and view both of them as highly competitive, as they hope to take advantage of an unfavorable political environment for President Trump's party."We're running through the finish line. We take nothing for granted, but we're on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives," Jeffries told reporters following Saturday's event in Pennsylvania.In a briefing with a small group of political reporters Wednesday, Jeffries pointed to a handful of districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York as opportunities for Democrats. He also said he plans to visit two South Texas districts.Republicans control the House by a single-digit margin, so the outcome of the midterms could be decided by a fairly small number of races. Jeffries declined to predict how many seats his party could gain in November."I'm very confident that we're going to take back the majority, but it remains to be seen what that looks like in terms of the number of seats that we pick up, which is going to depend on the conditions that exist over the next few weeks," he said in the briefing.During the rally in Bucks County, a perennial swing county that supported Mr. Trump by a razor-thin margin in 2024 after years of narrow Democratic victories, Harvie said: "It is not an accident that Hakeem Jeffries is here tonight.""He knows what we're going to do with this district. He knows the potential," he said.Fitzpatrick's campaign told CBS News that the Republican lawmaker "is aware of Hakeem's visit, he still considers him a friend, and he looks forward to working with him in a bipartisan manner in the 120th Congress.""Leader Jeffries is doing what he needs to do, and Brian completely understands that," the campaign's statement continued.Fitzpatrick, who is seeking a sixth term, has cultivated a moderate image and put distance between himself and Mr. Trump, voting with House Democrats to rescind tariffs on Canada and restrict the Iran war. He also voted against final passage of the Trump administration's signature "Big, Beautiful Bill" last year. Most recently, he pushed back last week on the president's plan to buy diesel from Russia.Democrats have argued Fitzpatrick hasn't consistently opposed the president's agenda, pointing to an earlier vote in favor of the "Big, Beautiful Bill." Fitzpatrick hassaid he voted against the final legislation after the Senate added steeper Medicaid cuts.Judi Reiss, a Democratic local elected official in Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, told CBS News at Saturday's rally with Jeffries and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro that she has "no personal animosity toward [Fitzpatrick] whatsoever, but he hasn't done anything. He's been a rubber stamp for Donald Trump.""He has not been independent, and it's very disappointing," said Reiss, who sought the 2020 Democratic nomination for Fitzpatrick's seat but dropped out before the primary.Still, Fitzpatrick has survived on challenging terrain in the past - and overperformed other Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris narrowly won his district in 2024, but Fitzpatrick won reelection the same year by a more than 12-point margin.The Cook Political Report rated the Pennsylvania district "Leans Republican" on Friday, down from its previous "Likely Republican" assessment.Bucks County resident Bill Craig, a Republican who plans to vote for Fitzpatrick, told CBS News he believes Harvie has a "slim chance" of winning the district, but he expects the race to be close due to heavy Democratic turnout."Brian Fitzpatrick could cure cancer right now, and they still wouldn't vote for them," Craig said. "He's very middle-of-the-road. They're trying to paint him as some kind of MAGA psycho."Jeffries visited Fitzpatrick's district a day after campaigning for Bennett across the Delaware River, in a New Jersey seat that the Cook Political report sees as Democratic-leaning - a shift after it called the race a toss-up as recently as last month.The GOP incumbent there, Kean, is seeking a third term representing a district that stretches from the New York City suburbs to the Pennsylvania border, with Mr. Trump's Bedminster golf club sitting in the middle. He was first elected after the district was made slightly redder in 2022, and defeated Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski.House Speaker Mike Johnson also campaigned with Kean in recent weeks.Jeffries' campaign stops illustrate the importance of suburban congressional districts that could help determine which party controls the House next year.In last week's briefing with reporters, the Democratic leader described all four competitive Republican-held districts in Pennsylvania as Democratic pickup opportunities. In addition to Fitzpatrick's seat, Democrats are targeting a northeastern Pennsylvania district and two seats in eastern and central Pennsylvania.He also singled out the race in New York's 17th Congressional District, where Democrat Cait Conley is challenging Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
Jeffries to campaign in South Texas races
Meanwhile, Democrats are defending two competitive districts in South Texas, and have signaled they plan to go on offense in two GOP-held districts in the region. Republicans made substantial gains among Latinos in 2024, especially in South Texas, where some counties that were once Democratic strongholds became light-red.Jeffries argued that Latino voters could swing back to Democrats, pointing to concerns over the cost of living and the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies.He said the political environment has changed dramatically in the Rio Grande Valley, where Democratic Reps. Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez are seeking reelection. Jeffries said he also plans to campaign in the coming weeks for two Texas Democrats who hope to unseat Republicans. Tejano music star Bobby Pulido is running against Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz in a toss-up district, and Democrat Johnny Garcia is challenging Republican nominee Carlos De La Cruz in a seat that's viewed as redder.The Democratic leader also rejected the notion that newly drawn Republican congressional maps in Texas and Florida would deliver the substantial gains GOP strategists had initially anticipated."Under no circumstances are Republicans winning five seats in Texas or four seats in Florida," Jeffries told CBS News last week.The National Republican Congressional Committee has disputed Democrats' increasingly optimistic assessments of the battleground map, pointing to Republican campaign resources and ground game efforts in competitive districts.If Democrats regain control of the House, Jeffries would be positioned to become the first Black speaker of the House in American history.While the party that doesn't control the White House almost always performs well in the midterms, the exact result is tougher to predict. In the 2022 midterms, when Republicans were buoyed by former President Joe Biden's unpopularity, predictions of a sweeping GOP wave failed to materialize. Republicans narrowly won control of the House but failed to recapture the Senate until two years later.Asked by CBS News whether Democrats risk that kind of election night disappointment, Jeffries acknowledged the outcome will depend on the political climate and spending.He said that while the current environment appears favorable to Democrats, the amount of money being spent by Republican-aligned political groups could ultimately limit the number of seats his party gains.House Republicans' campaign committee had more cash on hand than the group's Democratic counterpart at the end of August. Jeffries disputed suggestions that Republicans hold an overwhelming financial advantage in House battlegrounds, arguing that Democrats are effectively at parity when spending by candidates, committees and outside groups is considered together.On the GOP side, Johnson is also barnstorming frontline districts as Republicans fight to maintain their majority - and look for opportunities to unseat vulnerable Democrats. Johnson said the other day he expects to visit about 40 districts this month.In recent days, Johnson has visited Michigan and Pennsylvania with incumbent Republicans, and campaigned alongside two Iowa Republicans who are aiming to retain GOP-held districts: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Joe Mitchell.He also campaigned last week in Ohio with Derek Merrin, who is hoping to unseat longtime Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in a toss-up district. It's a rematch of 2024, when Merrin lost to Kaptur by around 2,400 votes.During his visit to Ohio, Johnson said he expects control of the House to be determined by at least 22 seats that he sees as "jump-balls." He has expressed optimism that Republicans can retain their majority."This will come down to the outcome of about 22 districts around the country, and I believe we can win those," Johnson told reporters late last month.Mr. Trump has also continued an aggressive campaign schedule aimed at boosting Republican candidates. Jeffries said he welcomes his increased involvement."The more Donald Trump campaigns for Republicans across the country, the better for the opportunity for Democrats to further convince the American people that we actually are the only ones determined to make life more affordable for them," Jeffries said.This article originally appeared on CBS News at https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jeffries-democrats-control-house-battleground-races/
Brian Fitzpatrick won by 13 points in 2024. Now, Democrats smell blood in the water. Brian Fitzpatrick won by 13 points in 2024. Now, Democrats smell blood in the water.YARDLEY, Pennsylvania - Republican Brian Fitzpatrick sailed to reelection in Pennsylvania's first congressional district two years ago. But now, with just over three weeks to go until Election Day and public opinion continuing to sour on Donald Trump's presidency, Democrats smell blood in the water.Their optimism that Fitzpatrick's Democratic opponent, Bucks County commissioner Bob Harvie, can defeat the five-term incumbent was on display on Saturday afternoon, as Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries and Pennsylvania's Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro hit the campaign trail in the leafy Philadelphia suburbs to drum up support for Harvie."A lot of people look at this race and think, 'Well, this is not really one that Democrats can win,'" Harvie told POLITICO after a rally in a middle school gym in Lower Bucks County, where supporters waved red signs emblazoned with the slogan: "Fire Fitz.""Clearly they are wrong because Leader Jeffries thinks we can win it," Harvie said. "Governor Shapiro thinks we can win it."Jeffries' decision to campaign alongside Harvie in the final stretch underscores Democrats' growing bullishness heading into next month's midterms, when they aim to retake control of the House of Representatives and usher in a 2018-style "blue wave."But it also illustrates the potentially risky bets party operatives are willing to place in the final stretch of campaigning, as they deploy relatively thin resources to try and expand their electoral map, including in districts that were previously seen as out of reach.In recent days, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has committed to spending $900,000 in its bid to unseat Fitzpatrick. House Majority PAC, the House Democrats' main super PAC, has spent more than $6 million to reserve television advertisements in the race, according to the latest AdImpact data."We are running through the finish line," Jeffries told reporters after Saturday's rally. "We take nothing for granted, but we are on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives."Democratic operatives in the state insist Harvie is within striking distance of flipping the district, which spans all of Bucks County and a sliver of Montgomery County in the affluent Philadelphia suburbs.A new internal poll conducted last week by Democratic pollsters Global Strategy Group found Harvie and Fitzpatrick tied, 46%-46%, among likely voters, with 8% still undecided.In a memo first seen by POLITICO, the pollsters argued undecided swing voters would be more likely to break for Harvie in the final weeks of campaigning, noting 60% of undecideds said they would prefer Democrats take back control of Congress.Still, Democratic leaders acknowledge that even in an increasingly favorable political environment for their party, the odds may be stacked against Harvie.Separate internal polling commissioned by the Fitzpatrick campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee last month showed Fitzpatrick leading Harvie by a 9-point margin. And despite the last-minute cash injection from national Democrats in the district, Fitzpatrick has long enjoyed a sizable fundraising advantage. The latest quarterly Federal Election Commission filings showed Fitzpatrick's campaign spent nearly $5 million on the race in the first six months of the year alone."Bob [Harvie] is running a great campaign. Brian [Fitzpatrick] is running a tough campaign," Shapiro told POLITICO at a separate stop with Democratic Party volunteers earlier on Saturday. "This is one that is going to be really close."Fitzpatrick, a former FBI special agent who was first elected to Congress in 2016, is widely seen as a strong candidate in Bucks County, a perennial electoral battleground at the presidential level that Shapiro has repeatedly described as the "swingiest county in the swingiest state in the whole country."In 2024, Trump won the county over Kamala Harris by a razor-thin margin of roughly 500 votes. But the first congressional district broke narrowly for Harris, meaning the roughly 13-point win by Fitzpatrick - who has long described himself as a "fiercely independent voice" for his district - outpaced the top of the Republican ticket by double digits.Charlie Dent, a former Republican representative from the neighboring Lehigh Valley, described Fitzpatrick as a political "unicorn," noting: "He has been able to establish a brand that is separate and independent from the president."That puts Fitzpatrick on firmer footing than many of his Republican colleagues across the country, who are contending with an electorate that largely disapproves of Trump's leadership.The Fitzpatrick campaign, which did not respond to POLITICO's request for an interview, has consistently emphasized the representative's bipartisan credentials, with television advertisements making little reference to the Republican Party or to Trump. The campaign and groups supporting Fitzpatrick have also run a series of negative ads attacking Harvie and accusing him of corruption. An NRCC spokesman told POLITICO Harvie had a "stagnant campaign, a significant cash disadvantage, and a disqualifying record of tax hikes and misuse of taxpayer resources." Harvie has denied any allegations of wrongdoing.Yard signs scattered throughout the district bear slogans including "Brian Fitzpatrick For All of Us" and "Brian Fitzpatrick One Community," while campaign-sponsored billboards tout his slate of endorsements from organizations not often associated with the Republican Party, including public sector unions, animal rights and environmental groups and gun safety advocates."Brian is his own political force," said Christian Nascimento, a one-time Republican congressional candidate who was until earlier this year the chair of the Montgomery County Republican Committee. "I know Democrats that vote for him just because he is willing to cross the aisle and cooperate and compromise."But Democratic leaders reject the characterization. On Saturday, Rep. Madeleine Dean, who represents Pennsylvania's fourth congressional district, said Fitzpatrick was "no moderate," calling her Republican colleague "complicit in the grotesque chaos, corruption and cruelty of this administration."Jeffries similarly sought to tie Fitzpatrick to Trump, telling rally-goers: "A vote for the current congressman is a vote for the status quo. Bob Harvie, a vote for him is a vote to make Congress a check and balance on an out-of-control president."Jeffries, who stands to become speaker if Democrats win the House next month, is not the only Democratic leader who has expended political capital for Harvie.Shapiro, who is widely expected to sail to reelection next month against a relatively weak Republican opponent in state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, has also stumped alongside Harvie, as well as other congressional candidates in Pennsylvania this year. Many political operatives see Shapiro's involvement in the races as an effort to show proof of concept for his own leadership ahead of a possible presidential campaign in 2028."[Shapiro] identified the candidates very early on who he thought would be strongly positioned to flip these seats," Jeffries told reporters on Saturday. "Bob Harvie was among those right at the top of the list."Asked about his involvement in congressional races on Saturday, Shapiro told POLITICO: "Success on election night isn't just about reelecting me, but making sure we are winning all the way down the ballot."Shapiro has not said publicly whether he intends to run for the White House. In a debate against Garrity last week, Shapiro sidestepped a question about whether he would commit to serve a full four-year term in Harrisburg if reelected, saying: "The only thing I am focused on is running for re-election as governor."A Quinnipiac University poll out last week showed Shapiro with a 25-point lead over Garrity. But asked on Saturday if Democrats risked being overconfident of their chances heading into election day, the governor responded: "I run every race like I am 25 points behind, and so I'm running taking nothing for granted."This article originally appeared on Politico at https://www.politico.com/news/2026/10/11/brian-fitzpatrick-bob-harvie-pennsylvania-01115981
A man was hospitalized after he was struck by a vehicle driven by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who was allegedly pursuing him and another man on Saturday, Texas law enforcement officials and ICE said.Maj. Anthony McConnell of the Harris County Sheriff's Office's Special Investigation Bureau told reporters that around 7:20 a.m. local time, law enforcement officers were called to Clay Road near Highway 6 just outside Houston after the unidentified ICE agent called 911 for an ambulance for the man, later identified by ICE as Miguel Parra-Hernandez, who was struck.KTRK - PHOTO: Law enforcement officials are at the scene after a man was struck by a vehicle driven by an ICE agent during chase, according to the Harris Courty Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas.An ICE spokesperson said in a statement that the agency was attempting to arrest another man, Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, a Mexican national who they allege had a criminal record and a final order of removal by a judge. New surveillance footage shows ICE confrontation in NYC street before shootingThe ICE agent allegedly observed Mendoza-Cervantes and Parra-Hernandez, who the agency alleged was undocumented, enter a car and attempted a car stop, according to ICE.McConnell said the ICE agent allegedly was pursuing the man and another person in their car and during the chase, the driver and the passenger left their vehicle on foot.Surveillance video of the incident reviewed by ABC News appears to show the agent maneuvering his vehicle in the direction of the man running and striking him with the vehicle. - PHOTO: In this screengrab from a video, a man is shown running prior to being struck by a vehicle driven by an ICE agent, according to the Harris Courty Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas.ICE alleged in a statement that "Parra-Hernandez ran in front of an ICE vehicle and was struck."Parra-Hernandez appeared to suffer a broken leg, McConnell said. He was taken to the hospital and is in ICE custody, according to ICE.ICE didn't immediately list any criminal history about Parra-Hernandez.McConnell referred further inquiries about the incident to ICE.KTRK - PHOTO: Law enforcement officials are at the scene after a man was struck by a vehicle driven by an ICE agent during chase, according to the Harris Courty Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas."We're here to investigate the crash," he told reporters.Deputies were collecting video evidence from nearby buildings as part of their investigation, McConnell said. No arrests have been made.Mendoza-Cervantes was not found as of Sunday afternoon, ICE said.Man fatally shot by federal officer in Houston was not ICE target, DHS saysFamily members of Parra-Hernandez, community leaders and officials of the immigration FIEL Houston held a news conference in Houston on Sunday."We have been in contact with Miguel's family, and they are very worried about his health. He is alive but is supposed to undergo surgery for his leg, which is broken in three places," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL Houston.Espinosa demanded accountability from ICE and called for a transparent investigation of the incident."We have more questions than answers. The biggest question we have is why does this keep happening? We demand answers and transparency from all agencies involved," Espinosa said.Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones called on ICE to provide all evidence to the Harris County Sheriff's office and to cooperate with the investigation, adding that she was "horrified" about the incident.KTRK - PHOTO: Law enforcement officials are at the scene after a man was struck by a vehicle driven by an ICE agent during chase, according to the Harris Courty Sheriff's Office, on Oct. 10, 2026, in Harris County, Texas."We demand full transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law," she said in her statement.Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin said, "Time is of the essence in getting the facts, and the public deserves clear, accurate answers.""ICE must cooperate fully with the local investigation," Kamin said. "My office supports Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and District Attorney Sean Teare in their ongoing independent investigation, and the Harris County Attorney's Office stands ready to assist and support these critical efforts. We will continue to monitor developments closely as the facts become clear."The Texas incident comes two days after ICE agents shot a man inside his car with his 5-year-old son in the backseat in New York City during an attempted arrest.Oscar Belgal, 28, is currently being held in custody and awaiting court appearances following the incident.ICE alleged Belgal, a Dominican national, "weaponized his vehicle," and rammed ICE vehicles. Surveillance footage released by the police showed the initial encounter where two armed men approached Belgal's car and hit the driver side window.Several New York City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned ICE's actions and called on the federal government to remove them from the city.
This article originally appeared on ABC News at https://abcnews.com/US/ice-agent-strikes-man-car-pursuit-texas-authorities/story?id=137162948
Democrats have invested in both races this year and view both of them as highly competitive, as they hope to take advantage of an unfavorable political environment for President Trump's party."We're running through the finish line. We take nothing for granted, but we're on the verge of taking back control of the House of Representatives," Jeffries told reporters following Saturday's event in Pennsylvania.In a briefing with a small group of political reporters Wednesday, Jeffries pointed to a handful of districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York as opportunities for Democrats. He also said he plans to visit two South Texas districts.Republicans control the House by a single-digit margin, so the outcome of the midterms could be decided by a fairly small number of races. Jeffries declined to predict how many seats his party could gain in November."I'm very confident that we're going to take back the majority, but it remains to be seen what that looks like in terms of the number of seats that we pick up, which is going to depend on the conditions that exist over the next few weeks," he said in the briefing.During the rally in Bucks County, a perennial swing county that supported Mr. Trump by a razor-thin margin in 2024 after years of narrow Democratic victories, Harvie said: "It is not an accident that Hakeem Jeffries is here tonight.""He knows what we're going to do with this district. He knows the potential," he said.Fitzpatrick's campaign told CBS News that the Republican lawmaker "is aware of Hakeem's visit, he still considers him a friend, and he looks forward to working with him in a bipartisan manner in the 120th Congress."
"Leader Jeffries is doing what he needs to do, and Brian completely understands that," the campaign's statement continued.Fitzpatrick, who is seeking a sixth term, has cultivated a moderate image and put distance between himself and Mr. Trump, voting with House Democrats to rescind tariffs on Canada and restrict the Iran war. He also voted against final passage of the Trump administration's signature "Big, Beautiful Bill" last year. Most recently, he 
Jeffries said he also plans to campaign in the coming weeks for two Texas Democrats who hope to unseat Republicans. Tejano music star Bobby Pulido is running against Republican Rep. Monica De La Cruz 
