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The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently announced that, during a routine traffic stop in California's Central Valley, officers seized nearly 30 kilograms of fentanyl pills—an amount potent enough to kill a quarter of California’s population.

According to CHP, last month during a stop near Airport Boulevard on Interstate 5, a K-9 detected the scent of drugs. Officers discovered two duffel bags and one shopping bag in the vehicle, all filled with counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, approximately 330,000 pills in total. The driver, a resident of Washington State, was subsequently arrested and sent to Yolo County Jail.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid analgesic often used for surgical anesthesia, terminal cancer pain, severe pain, or chronic intractable pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and illegal use or overdose can result in fatal consequences. However, due to its low cost and addictive effects, it has been sold illicitly by criminals in recent years.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, only a few milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. The quantity of pills seized in this bust could produce between 10 million to 15 million lethal doses, enough to kill a quarter of California’s population.

Just a few weeks prior, CHP seized $1.7 million worth of fentanyl in two separate drug busts in the Central Valley, arresting three suspects, one of whom attempted to hide drugs among packages of raw beef. Since January, California’s narcotics task forces have seized over 2,260 kilograms of fentanyl powder and 9.6 million fentanyl-laced pills, with a total value exceeding $43 million.

With three days left until the U.S. presidential election, Kamala Harris intensified her campaign efforts in key swing states and made her first surprise appearance on the iconic late-night show "Saturday Night Live" on November 2. She joined the actress portraying her on the show for a humorous exchange while also taking jabs at Republican candidate Donald Trump.

This marked Harris's first in-person appearance on the long-running American variety show, where she played the mirror image of Maya Rudolph’s Harris character. The two had fun with wordplay and encouraged voters to stay calm and press forward. Over the years, "Saturday Night Live" has hosted other presidential candidates, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump, though an appearance so close to election day is unusual.

Earlier on November 2, Harris and Trump crossed paths in the critical swing state of North Carolina, where Harris held a rally in Charlotte, the state’s largest city, and Trump campaigned nearby in Gastonia. Both Harris's Air Force Two and Trump’s private jet could be seen on the Charlotte airport tarmac.

This marked the fourth consecutive day both candidates campaigned in the same state. Only seven states, including North Carolina, are considered crucial in determining the election outcome, with the other key states being Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.

Kemi Badenoch recently became the UK Conservative Party's first Black female leader, marking a significant milestone. Known for her straightforward, often controversial positions, Badenoch pledges to guide the party back to traditional right-wing values while balancing various internal Conservative factions. She appeals to grassroots conservatives by promoting Brexit as a lasting achievement and advocating for reduced governmental regulation, though she takes a more pragmatic approach than some hardline Brexiteers expected.

Her leadership approach aligns with conservative values but is described as "soft right," emphasizing practicality and policy detail over extreme ideology. Badenoch has positioned herself as a “sensible right-winger” aiming to unify the party’s divided right factions, which include free-market proponents and social conservatives. She continues to build alliances with influential Tory groups, like the free-market-focused Centre for Policy Studies, and has strong support among the party's membership base, where her direct, unapologetic style resonates strongly.

Despite her conservative stance, she has demonstrated adaptability and nuance in governance. For instance, she successfully negotiated the UK's entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), underscoring her commitment to free trade—a cornerstone of her economic vision for post-Brexit Britain. However, her critics question her management style and relationships within the party, suggesting that her strong-willed personality and preference for direct communication might alienate colleagues, a potential challenge if the Conservatives enter opposition after the next election.

Badenoch's leadership may appeal to a broad coalition within the Conservative Party, given her roots in both traditional values and forward-looking economic policy. As her prominence grows, she faces the challenge of maintaining party unity amid ideological divides, particularly in light of the evolving Conservative landscape. For more on her political journey and leadership approach, see sources like New Statesman and Prospect Magazine.

In recent days, a wave of public support for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has swept through the celebrity and sports world, with high-profile figures expressing their endorsement. Among the prominent supporters, NBA star LeBron James has voiced his approval, adding to the growing list of influential figures rallying behind Harris.

LeBron James, who is known for his activism both on and off the court, publicly expressed his support for Harris, emphasizing his belief in her policies and leadership. This endorsement marks another step in James's consistent advocacy for political engagement and social justice, as he often uses his platform to champion causes that align with his values. James’s influence, especially among young people, is expected to bring more attention to Harris’s agenda.

James is not alone in his endorsement of Harris. Numerous celebrities, including actors, musicians, and athletes, have shown their backing as well, amplifying her message to their diverse fan bases. This broad support from high-profile figures across different industries is significant, given the influence these personalities hold in shaping public opinion and mobilizing voters.

Kamala Harris, who has faced both praise and criticism during her term, has expressed gratitude for the support she has received from prominent figures. Her recent public appearances and statements have focused on unifying the nation and addressing issues related to economic recovery, social justice, and healthcare reforms. The backing from public figures like James and others serves to bolster her platform and encourage voter engagement, especially among communities often underrepresented at the polls.

As the 2024 election season approaches, endorsements from influential figures are likely to play a crucial role in shaping public opinion. For Harris, the support from LeBron James and other high-profile personalities could enhance her reach and resonate with new segments of the electorate.

An unusually intense Mediterranean storm has brought torrential rains to Spain since the 29th, causing severe flooding that has claimed more than 150 lives, with the death toll continuing to rise. The rapid downpours have unleashed torrents of muddy water that destroyed homes and swept away residents, with the eastern region of Valencia being the hardest hit.

Southern and eastern Spain experienced heavy rains this week, and according to Spain’s meteorological agency, the town of Chiva near Valencia received a year’s worth of rainfall in just eight hours, leading to the most severe flooding in decades. The Spanish authorities have issued an urgent public alert, warning that the emergency situation is far from over and urging people to evacuate if necessary. Many Spaniards are outraged at the government for failing to issue timely flood warnings, as the torrential rains have turned streets into rivers, destroyed homes, disrupted transportation, and left many disaster victims injured or separated from their families.

This flood has already caused at least 150 deaths in Spain, with the number of missing persons difficult to determine as rescuers struggle to access remote areas. The death toll is expected to rise further. The Spanish government has declared a three-day national mourning period beginning on the 31st and continues its rescue efforts.

The U.S. Department of Defense has confirmed that North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia's Kursk region to support Russian operations in Ukraine. This news has sparked widespread concern, as North Korea's involvement in the conflict may suggest challenges for Russia in maintaining sufficient troop levels. Reports indicate that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been sent to Russian border regions, including Kursk, to prepare for upcoming military actions.

According to intelligence from Ukraine and the United States, these North Korean forces include ground troops and other tactical support personnel. Ukrainian officials warn that this development could heighten the risks of the conflict, marking a significant flashpoint in international relations. As North Korea, Iran, and other allies increase their support for Russia, the likelihood of Western nations imposing additional diplomatic and economic pressures on Russia and its partners is also expected to rise.

Georgia held parliamentary elections on Sunday, with President Salome Zurabishvili condemning the elections as fraudulent. She called on the public to protest the election results and questioned the official outcome, which favored the ruling party.

Zurabishvili stated that the elections were entirely fabricated, declaring, "I do not recognize these elections." She accused Russia of being the suspected mastermind behind the electoral fraud, emphasizing that Georgia has become a victim of Russia's special operations—part of a modern form of hybrid warfare against the Georgian people, as well as a means of repressing Georgia's resistance to Russian influence.

In 2008, Georgia's attempt to join NATO led to a Russian invasion, resulting in the separatist region of South Ossetia breaking away from Georgia and becoming a Russian-ruled autonomous republic. The Georgian Dream party was founded in 2012 with a focus on improving relations with Russia, and it has been in power for a long time, implementing Russian-style laws. Many Georgians are concerned that the government is distancing itself from the West.

The Central Election Commission of Georgia reported that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, received 54.08% of the votes, while the main opposition coalition garnered 37.58%. This outcome could lead to closer ties between Georgia and Russia. President Zurabishvili stated that this election is crucial for determining whether Georgia will "embrace Europe" or remain "under Russian influence." The results may also bring a new setback to Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union.

Four opposition groups in Georgia have refused to accept the election results, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of ballot theft and fraud. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, stated that there must be a thorough clarification and resolution of the alleged violations, calling for a prompt, transparent, and independent investigation into the matter.

The 50th Japanese House of Representatives election took place on the 27th, marking one of the most intense elections in years. The ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito suffered a devastating defeat, delivering a significant blow to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The new parliamentary landscape will see a "small ruling party and large opposition" scenario. LDP election strategy chief Shinjiro Koizumi accepted responsibility for the loss and resigned to Ishiba this morning, with the resignation approved.

This election involved 465 seats, including 289 single-member districts and 176 proportional representation seats, with a total of 1,344 candidates registered—1,113 for single-member districts and 231 for proportional representation. Before the election, the ruling coalition held 279 seats (247 for the LDP and 32 for Komeito), but the election results yielded only 215 seats (191 for the LDP and 24 for Komeito), falling short of a majority (233 seats). The largest opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, surged from 98 seats before the election to 148 seats, while the total number of seats held by opposition parties and independents reached 250.

Sixty-seven-year-old Shigeru Ishiba became Japan's new prime minister after narrowly winning the LDP leadership election last month and subsequently called for early elections. During a speech on the 25th, Ishiba admitted, "The situation is extremely severe." He set a majority as his goal, stating that failing to meet this threshold would undermine his standing within the LDP and necessitate seeking other coalition partners or leading a minority government. Reports suggest that calls for Ishiba's resignation have begun to circulate within the LDP. However, Ishiba held a press conference this afternoon and stated that he would not resign.

According to various foreign media reports, Israel launched three waves of attacks against Iran early on the morning of the 26th (Saturday) in retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile strike on Israel earlier this month. The targets of the attacks were primarily military facilities, excluding energy infrastructure or nuclear power plants.

It is reported that four Iranian military personnel were killed in the strikes. Iran later stated that it has the "right" to defend itself but generally downplayed the incident, claiming that the damage to military sites was limited. Senior U.S. officials indicated that President Biden had previously urged Israel to exercise restraint in its retaliatory attacks against Iran to prevent escalating conflict between the two sides.

Israel named the operation "Operation Days of Repentance." Reports indicate that the first wave of attacks primarily targeted Iran's air defense systems, while the second and third waves focused on missile and drone bases as well as munitions production facilities. The Israeli Air Force reportedly gathered over Syria before flying into Iraqi airspace to launch air-to-ground missiles.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Israeli officials contacted Iran before the attacks to clarify which targets would and would not be struck. Experts believe Israel's relatively low-key response post-strike aimed to allow Iran the opportunity to downplay the incident and avoid further escalation, while also demonstrating that Israel's intelligence and military capabilities could penetrate deep into Iranian territory. Iran also seemed to take the opportunity to downplay the Israeli attacks, with state media showing calm streets in the capital Tehran, free-flowing traffic, and people going about their daily business, asserting that the attack resulted in minimal damage.

Although Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian stated that Iran "will respond decisively and appropriately to any act that infringes on its territory at the right time," he also urged the international community to take effective measures to prevent further escalation in the region. The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday in response to Iran's request.

On the 25th, U.S. authorities announced that the outbreak of serious E. coli linked to McDonald's four-ounce beef burgers has expanded, with a total of 75 reported cases, primarily in the western United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on the 22nd that the "four-ounce beef burger" from McDonald's has been contaminated with E. coli, resulting in 49 cases across 10 states, with ages ranging from 13 to 88 years, including 10 hospitalizations and 1 death. The CDC initially suspects that the source of contamination may be the onions used in the burgers.

In the 13 states where cases have been reported, McDonald's restaurants have temporarily removed the four-ounce beef burger from their menu but continue to offer other items, including beef burgers. The supplier of McDonald's onions, Taylor Farms, located in California, has also initiated an urgent recall of multiple batches of onions produced at their California facility starting on the 23rd.

In response, McDonald's Taiwan issued a statement indicating that the shredded onions used in their four-ounce beef burgers are sourced from New Zealand, while the beef patties come from Paraguay and New Zealand/Australia, all of which are different from the sources in the United States. According to the supplier's self-inspection report, all ingredients meet relevant standards.