Kamala Harris Dials Trump To Concede Presidential Election, Say Her Aides

US Vice President Kamala Harris called Donald Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him for winning the 2024 presidential election, one of her senior aides said, following a bitter and contentious race.

Democrat Harris discussed with Mr Trump the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a President for all Americans, said the aide, confirming that Ms Harris will deliver remarks in Washington later today.

During the acrimonious campaign, the Democratic presidential candidate had described Mr Trump as a unique threat to democracy, but her campaign in the end underwhelmed voters.

She will deliver her concession speech in Washington today (2.30 am IST).

Mr Trump had never conceded defeat four years ago when his supporters ransacked the US Capitol. He returned to the White House with wider margins than before despite a criminal conviction, two impeachments while last in office and warnings from his former chief of staff that he was a "fascist."

At 78, Mr Trump will be the oldest President during his inauguration scheduled on January 20. Had Ms Harris won, she would have been the first woman president of the US. "It's a political victory that our country has never seen before," Mr Trump said earlier today in his victory speech.

Global leaders swiftly pledged to work with Mr Trump, despite concerns in some parts of the world about his "America First" approach. Among the most worried countries will be Ukraine, which Russia invaded in 2022.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders who dialled Mr Trump to congratulate him. "Had a great conversation with my friend, President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2024

Mr Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance have scoffed at the billions of dollars in US assistance to Ukraine under outgoing President Joe Biden, with their aides musing about forcing Ukraine to make concessions to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Trump and said he hoped the new US leader would help Ukraine find a "just peace."

Ms Harris entered the race in July after the visibly ageing Biden dropped out. She ran a centrist campaign that highlighted Mr Trump's inflammatory messaging and use of racist and sexist tropes. But his apocalyptic warnings about immigration found their mark with voters battered by the post-Covid economy and eager for change after the Biden years.

Hispanic and Black Americans, seen as crucial voting blocs for Harris, moved in greater numbers toward Mr Trump, who won a majority of Latino men, exit polls had shown.

Mr Trump is the first US President in more than a century to win a non-consecutive second term, and the only person to be elected President as a convicted felon -- he is scheduled to face sentencing in a New York court for fraud on November 26.

He is also a longtime sceptic of climate change who is expected again to reduce US global commitments, although one of his top campaign surrogates was fellow billionaire Elon Musk, owner of electric vehicle maker Tesla.

With inputs from AFP

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PM Modi Dials Trump After His Record Win. What They Discussed

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled President-elect Donald Trump to congratulate the American leader on winning the fiercely contested US presidential election. Both leaders agreed to work together for world peace.

Mr Trump in his victory speech today said one of the first things he would do is to stop wars. India, too, is a trusted mediator of both the West and Russia in calling for peaceful negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

President-elect Trump conveyed in the phone call that "the whole world loves PM Modi", and that India is "a magnificent country" and PM Modi is a "magnificent man", sources said. Mr Trump told PM Modi that he considers him and India a true friend, sources said, adding PM Modi was one of the first world leaders Mr Trump spoke to after his victory.

PM Modi also posted about the phone call on X. "Had a great conversation with my friend, President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors," PM Modi said.

Had a great conversation with my friend, President @realDonaldTrump, congratulating him on his spectacular victory. Looking forward to working closely together once again to further strengthen India-US relations across technology, defence, energy, space and several other sectors.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2024

India is no stranger to Mr Trump's style of working. Both nations have seen ups and downs during Mr Trump's last reign as US President from 2016 to 2020. While Mr Trump had been supportive of India on the fight against global terrorism, the billionaire businessman had been extremely tough on tariffs on American goods.

Mr Trump's new presidency is likely to open new opportunities for India though certain sectors, especially pharma and IT, may face the heat if he decides to impose restrictions on imports and H1B visa regulations.

PM Modi's friendly ties with Mr Trump will have a positive bearing on Indo-US relations, but India may have to adapt its strategies to maintain cooperation in areas of mutual interest, experts told news agency PTI.

"Trump's presidency can be a new opportunity for India. Trump will impose tariffs and import restrictions on countries that he thinks are not friendly to the US, like China and even some European countries, and this can open markets for Indian exports," former Vice Chairman of the government's think tank NITI Aayog Rajiv Kumar said.

Barclays, in a research report on Wednesday, said trade policy is where Mr Trump is likely to be "most consequential" for emerging Asia, which includes India and China.

However, some experts say Mr Trump's trade protectionist views could have some negative impact on India's exports and might exert some pressure on the rupee in the short term. Since Mr Trump's protectionist philosophy of economics is well-known, the process of globalisation may become more strategic and less fair to emerging economies, including India, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy visiting Professor Pinaki Chakraborty said.

Mr Trump defeated the Democratic presidential candiate Kamala Harris in a stunning political comeback. World leaders swiftly pledged to work with Mr Trump, led by Israel and Ukraine where the course of wars could depend on the new US President's isolationist "America First" foreign policy.

With inputs from agencies

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Kamala Harris vs Donald Trump: Who Is Winning The US Election Right Now?

Millions have voted in one of the most consequential elections in the history of the United States and while most polls showed Kamala Harris and Donald Trump in a dead heat, polling aggregator FiveThirtyEight has named the Democratic nominee as its favourite to win, switching from the Republican candidate.

The aggregator, which is a key election forecaster, had Mr Trump as its favourite to win for around two weeks and its simulations showed that, out of 100, Mr Trump won 53 times and Ms Harris 47. In a first since October 17, however, Ms Harris became the favourite on election day, leading Mr Trump in simulations 50 to 49. 

The Economist's final forecast said Ms Harris has a 56% chance of winning, but noted that the lead is narrow and Mr Trump could also win. 

Polymarket, a betting platform, said former president Trump has a 62.3% chance of winning against Vice President Harris' 37.9%.

Speaking to NDTV on Tuesday, Allan Lichtman, known for his 13 'Keys to the White House' system, predicted Ms Harris will be the first woman president of the United States. 

"Consign them (opinion polls) to the flames. Yes, we are going to have Kamala Harris, a new path-breaking president, the first woman president and the first president of mixed African and Asian descent. It is foreshadowing where America is going. We are rapidly becoming a majority-minority country old white guys like me, we are on the decline," Mr Lichtman said.

'If It Is Fair"

Both candidates also spoke to the media on election day. 

"We've got to get it done. Today is voting day, and people need to get out and be active," Ms Harris told Atlanta station WVEE-FM, describing Mr Trump as "full of vengeance. He's full of grievance. It's all about himself."

The former president, who voted near his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, said he felt "very confident" and that he wanted to be "very inclusive." But he aired concerns about the vote count - heightening fears that he would reject the result, citing fraud, if he lost. "If it's a fair election, I would be the first one to acknowledge it," he said.

In the most important swing state of Pennsylvania, a court approved a request to extend voting hours in a county after voting machines experienced a software glitch. 

The ruling means that voting will stay open for an additional two hours in Cambria county, which broke roughly 70% to 30% in favour of Mr Trump in 2020. The case was brought by the local board of elections, which said a "software malfunction" at electronic voting machines had "prevented voters from scanning their completed ballots".  The Cambria County Court of Common Pleas ordered that voting hours be extended from 8pm to 10pm local time (0830 IST). 

"This morning's ballot processing issues in Cambria have resulted in delays - this is unacceptable, plain and simple," Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley said after the case was filed.  "Our legal team acted immediately to support extended hours to give voters the opportunity to vote - we need voters to stay in line!" he added. 

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Harris vs Trump - America Elects 47th US President. Election Result Today

The wait to know who will win - Kamala Harris or Donald Trump - is nearly over. Americans have decided who their next President will be. After a months-long, bitterly-contested election campaign, dozens of millions of citizens across the United States voted today. The counting of votes happens immediately after voting ends.

Voting began across the country at 6 am local time in each time zone and will end at 8 pm local time. The US has six time zones, of which four are on the US mainland while two are in US territories across the globe. The four main time zones are Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Standard Time, while the two other time zones include Alaska Standard Time and Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time, which are observed only by Alaska and Hawaii respectively.

The US Presidential election is closely watched around the world as US's policies have for long had a big impact on other countries. The 2024 US presidential election has been extraordinary in terms of political discourse reaching new lows.

During the election campaign that lasted several months, America and the rest of the planet witnessed an ugly and divisive contest - that saw personal attacks, derogatory language, racist slurs, inflammatory rhetoric and even assassination attempts.

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

The latest opinion polls suggest that Kamala Harris has a razor thin lead over Donald Trump - 1 percentage point. However, if the electorate is seen in terms of gender, as per the latest Reuters/Ipsos polls, Kamala Harris has a 12 percentage point lead over Trump among women, while Trump has a 7 percentage point lead over Harris among men.

For those backing Kamala Harris, her promise to protect abortion rights was one of the most compelling reasons to vote for her. The perception that Donald Trump, who made racist and offensive remarks, also played a part in those voting against him.

For those backing Donald Trump, a strict immigration system was one of the topmost reasons for supporting him. High inflation and concerns about the economy during the Biden term in which Kamala Harris was the Vice President were among the reasons to vote against the Democrat nominee.

The election has been very close and both candidates have been neck and neck in the race. While Harris might have a 1 percentage point lead over Trump, there is uncertainty of the final outcome.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

No matter who wins, Harris or Trump, history will be made today.

If 60-year-old Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice President in US history, wins, she will become the first woman, first Black woman, first Indian-American, and first South Asian American to win the presidency.

On the other hand, if 78-year-old Donald Trump, the only US President to be impeached twice and the first to be criminally convicted, wins, he would become the first US President in more than a century to win non-consecutive terms.

UNDERSTANDING THE ELECTION

US follows the electoral college voting system. There are a total of 538 electoral college votes; 435 House of Representatives, 100 Senate seats and 3 seats from Washington DC. A candidate needs a minimum of 270 votes to become the President.

Every state has a certain number of electoral votes. California has the maximum number of seats with 54, followed by Texas (40) and Florida (30). On the other hand, states like North Dakota, South Dakota, Delaware, and Vermont have a minimum number of 3 seats.

Out of the total 50 states in USA, there are 7 which are considered battle ground states or swing states. These are crucial for both candidates as these seven states alone have the potential to decide on who will be the next President. These states are - Nevada (6 seats), Arizona (11 seats), North Carolina (16 seats), Georgia (16 seats), Wisconsin (10 seats), Michigan (15 seats), and Pennsylvania (19 seats).

More than 80 million Americans had already voted before the main election day (Nov 5), either via mail or in person, and lines at several polling stations on Tuesday morning were short and orderly.

Control of both chambers of Congress is also up for grabs. Republicans have an easier path in the U.S. Senate, where Democrats are defending several seats in Republican-leaning states, while the House of Representatives looks like a toss-up.
 

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American Airlines Plane Diverted Due To "Noise In Cargo". Here's Why

A harrowing incident unfolded on October 31st when American Airlines Flight 954, en route from Buenos Aires to New York, was forced to make an emergency return to its departure airport. The cause of the disruption? A series of mysterious banging noises emanated from the cargo hold. 

Passengers and crew aboard the flight were understandably alarmed by the sounds, which resembled someone knocking from within the sealed compartment. As the plane ascended to 30,000 feet, speculation ran rampant, with many fearing a potential intruder or other serious security threat.

In response to the escalating situation, the pilot made the decision to turn the aircraft around and return to Buenos Aires International Airport. Upon landing, heavily armed police and specialized tactical teams swarmed the plane, initiating a thorough search of the cargo hold. 

American Airlines flight AA954 returns to Buenos Aires Airport after a ground worker gets trapped in the cargo hold.

Flight attendants alerted the pilots to a banging noise coming from the cargo hold as the aircraft was heading to New York. An hour into the flight the crew… pic.twitter.com/lT5synhhRB

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) November 1, 2024

In a statement, the airport's security told The Metro, "Noises were heard in the cargo hold, enough to give rise to suspicions that there was something unusual. The captain referred to a security problem due to hearing noises."

Initial reports suggested that an individual might have been accidentally locked inside the cargo area during loading. However, in a subsequent statement, American Airlines denied these claims, attributing the incident to a technical issue. 

American Airlines, in a post on X, said, "Reports of a person in cargo are not accurate. Flight 954 returned to Buenos Aires due to a reported noise in the cargo hold but, after a thorough search, it was determined there was no issue. Our customers will be re-departing later today and we apologize for the inconvenience."

Reports of a person in cargo are not accurate. Flight 954 returned to Buenos Aires due to a reported noise in the cargo hold but, after a thorough search, it was determined there was no issue. Our customers will be re-departing later today and we apologize for the inconvenience.

— americanair (@AmericanAir) November 1, 2024

Despite the airline's explanation, the bizarre circumstances surrounding the emergency landing have sparked widespread curiosity and debate. As investigations continue, the true cause of the mysterious noises remains shrouded in uncertainty. 

 

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"I'm A Product Of Poverty": Cardi B Slams Elon Musk Over 'Puppet' Remark

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B has publicly criticized Elon Musk after he called her a "puppet" supporting Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Musk, an avid Donald Trump supporter, took a swipe at Cardi B, responding to a Trump fan account's post featuring a clip of her at a rally in Milwaukee for Harris. 

"Another puppet who can't even talk without being fed the words," Mr Musk said in a quote tweet, referring to a teleprompter malfunction that caused Cardi B to stall until she was handed her speech notes on a phone.

Cardi B quickly responded, "I'm not a puppet, Elon. I'm a daughter of two immigrant parents who worked hard to provide for me!" She continued, "I'm a product of welfare, section 8, poverty, and the reality of a system that's set up against you... But you wouldn't know anything about that. You don't understand the American struggle. PS fix my algorithm."

I'm not a puppet Elon.. I'm a daughter of two immigrant parents that had to work their ass off to provide for me! I'm a product of welfare, I'm a product of section 8, I'm a product of poverty and I'm a product of what happens when the system is set up against you….But you don't… https://t.co/BBYQ2O0KYJ

— Cardi B (@iamcardib) November 2, 2024

Musk, who was born in South Africa to wealthy parents, including his father Errol Musk, who reportedly held a stake in a Zambian emerald mine, has faced criticism for his remarks on socioeconomic issues.

At the rally, Cardi B delivered a powerful speech on women's rights, condemning Donald Trump's alleged sexism. "Just like Kamala Harris, I've been the underdog, underestimated and discredited. Women have to work ten times harder to prove themselves, and still, we're questioned. I can't stand a bully, and like Kamala, I'll always stand up to one."

The 2024 U.S. presidential election is set for November 5.

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Spoke Of Reunification Under India: Sources On Lalduhoma's Viral Old Speech

A speech given by Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma in the US nearly two months ago on reunification of the Zo people, which has gone viral now, has no element of controversy as the Chief Minister spoke about reunification under India, sources in the Mizoram government told NDTV.

Lalduhoma made the comment at an event to celebrate Mizo Day in Maryland on September 2. At the outset, the Chief Minister said he came to the US after taking permission from the Ministry of External Affairs, and he shared his itinerary with them.

Lalduhoma in his address on September 2 said, "... The main objective of [the] ZORO Movement in 1988 was Zo-Reunification within India. Can the 'Zo' people in India, Burma and Bangladesh today, aspire to be re-united under India? Looking at the geopolitical realities of our time, it may not be so farfetched to think this could be a possibility one day. Perhaps, fate has this reunification in store for us in the future..."

The full text of the September 2 speech is available on the website of the Mizoram government's Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).

The Mizoram Chief Minister gave another speech on September 4, this time in Indianapolis, where he said his people have been "unjustly divided." It is this September 4 speech which has triggered a massive controversy.

READ | "We Can't Stop Border Fencing, But Will Oppose It": Mizoram Chief Minister

In his address to the Zo diaspora in the US, Lalduhoma said: "... As I approach the end of my speech, I want to let everyone here know that the primary reason I accepted the invitation to visit the United States is to seek a path towards unity for all of us.

"We are one people - brothers and sisters - and we cannot afford to be divided or apart from one another. I want us to have the conviction and confidence that one day, through the strength of God, who made us a nation, we will rise together under one leadership to achieve our destiny of nationhood.

"While a country may have borders, a true nation transcends such limitations. We have been unjustly divided, forced to exist under three different governments in three different countries, and this is something we can never accept.

"We are fortunate that we are still connected through our lands and that there are no pretenders to insert themselves in our midst and cause division - this truly is a blessing from God..."

The full text of the September 4 speech is also available on the Mizoram government DIPR's website.

READ | Sheikh Hasina Alleges Plot To Carve Out Christian Country From Bangladesh: Report

From politicians to academics, many have raised concerns over Lalduhoma's speech in Indianapolis, with questions varying from what the law says about how an elected person should conduct themselves abroad to the wildly conspiratorial claim by ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that a certain nation wants to "carve out a Christian country" by taking parts of Myanmar and Bangladesh.

"Can someone who has taken an oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution speak in a way that suggests breaking India apart? Do the Mizoram Council of Churches and other church bodies across India support Lalduhoma's communal, divisive, and anti-national stance? Is Lalduhoma speaking for himself? Or for the external powers who want to reshape South Asia's geopolitical scene?" former two-time BJP MP Balbir Punj said in a post on X.

The following speech of Chief Minister of #Mizoram PU Lalduhoma (@Lal_Duhoma) is self-explanatory. In his speech, he shares his vision of an independent 'Christian state' encompassing Christian-majority areas in three different countries. It is easy to deduce that these countries... pic.twitter.com/hHKq9Oum9E

— Balbir Punj (@balbirpunj) November 4, 2024

Dr Arambam Noni, associate professor of political science at DM University Manipur, said ethnocentric accumulation of people for a homeland will disturb the overlapping demographic spaces.

"He seems to be sort of trying to aggravate the relationship between overlapping multiethnic demographic spaces, which can lead to conflict. He is trying to signal as if demography is going to play a big role in the making of a homeland," Dr Arambam, who has been speaking in public forums on northeast issues especially those concerning Mizoram's neighbour Manipur, told NDTV.

'Demography Is Dated Politics'

"Demography is dated politics and is sectarian in some sense. The problem with the idea of transnational, territorial and ethnic unification in post-colonial states is that no mechanisms exist to do this. The modern state system cannot entertain such an idea simply because it contravenes the historically established territorialities. However, there is no problem in developing a cultural affinity," Dr Arambam said.

"He (Lalduhoma) is saying that colonialism divided and dispersed their people in three different countries. But at the same time he is using the idioms of colonial culture to reunify the same people. This culture that he is using to connect people was an invention of colonialism," Dr Arambam said.

"Interspace tranquillity must also be kept in mind while vouching for pan ethnic homeland," he added.

Lalduhoma became Chief Minister after his Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) defeated the Mizo National Front (MNF) headed by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga in the assembly election in December 2023. The MNF, which won 26 seats in the 2018 state election, won only 10 in the December polls.

The ZPM was registered as a political party in 2019. The party won 27 seats - up from 8 seats in the 2019 polls - in the election that propelled Lalduhoma to the top post.

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All-New Royal Enfield Flying Flea Electric C6 Motorcycle Revealed

The first ever electric Royal Enfield has landed and it is called the Flying Flea C6. All future electric motorcycles will be launched under the 'Flying Flea' brand, dedicated purely to EVs. The new Flying Flea brand is inspired from the original Royal Enfield Flying Flea motorcycle of the 1940s, which was purpose-built for use during WWII when these machines were airdropped via parachute to provide lightweight and easy-to-use mobility across different terrain. The lightness and agility on the motorcycles of the old is what is said to be offered on the Flying Flea electric motorcycles.

Also Read: Royal Enfield Bear 650 Scrambler Revealed 

The Flying Flea C6 is a retro-futuristic motorcycles, replete with a round LED headlight and girder forks up front, a piece of equipment that hasn't been used in two-wheelers for a while now. What is interesting is the fact that the overall design and presence of the RE electric bike is diminutive, unlike their petrol-powered motorcycles. Something that is confirmed by the skinny 17-inch tyres on the bike. There is a forged Aluminium frame in play as well. 

This can only mean that RE wants this motorcycle to be an urban modern classic electric motorcycle with decent range, that can take on the current crop of electric two-wheelers in the market. The seat height seems to be low, and the rider triangle seems to be comfy and apt for daily commuting.   

There will be a two-seater version of the Flying Flea C6 as well. Then you also see the round TFT display as well. The EV also gets cornering ABS and traction control. We expect the Royal Enfield's EV to have a fixed battery, with a range of up to 100-150 km. Expect the motorcycle to have decent power and torque output. All specifications will be revealed at a later date.

India too has a few electric motorcycles on sale such as the Revolt RV 400, Matter Aera 5000, Oben Rorr, Ola Roadster, Raptee T30, Tork Kratos and so on and it will be interesting to see how the Flying Flea C6 is priced, compared to other electric motorcycles in India.

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Watch: Chef Makes Guinness Record For Largest Chocolate Sculpture Of Fruit

The famous chocolatier Chef Amaury Guichon has set a new Guinness World Record at his pastry academy in Las Vegas by creating the "largest chocolate sculpture of fruit", marking a significant achievement in the world of pastry art. The sculpture, confirmed to measure 66 inches by 29.57 inches, shows his mastery over making chocolate in different shapes and sizes. The official Instagram handle of the Guinness World Records shared a video where Chef Guichon talked about the complexities of working with chocolate as a sculpting medium. In the video, Chef Guichon can be seen making a half-peeled banana mould. He then puts a chocolate mould on the banana that fits perfectly atop it, showcasing his remarkable skills and attention to detail.

The chef explained that chocolate's property of existing as both liquid and solid at the same temperature is a "challenge and also an opportunity". He added that over the last decade, he has developed specialised techniques to turn chocolate, a precious and costly material, into stunning sculptures. He further talked about how while the moulds he uses are basic shapes like eggs or spheres, it is the assembly and final touches that transform them into art.

Also Read: Giant Croissant Video With 18 Million Views Leaves Internet In Sweet Shock

This record marks Chef Guichon's second Guinness World Record. His first record was for the largest chocolate sculpture of a balloon animal, wherein a balloon dog was made entirely from chocolate and sprayed pink with a cocoa butter and colourant mix.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guinness World Records (@guinnessworldrecords)

The internet was amazed by the achievement.

One user commented under the video, "Glad he's finally getting the global recognition he deserves." 

Another user talked about Chef Amaury Guichon's Netflix show School of Chocolate and wrote, "Still waiting for another season of School of Chocolate." 

Many left congratulatory comments and praised his skills. 

A user said, "Well deserved...the guy is the best." 

Another commented, "Congratulations to him. He deserves to be there."

A few weeks ago, Amaury Guichon's creation 'Peach Cake Fan' went viral when he turned a cake into a "functional" fan. The cake, made from baked, syrup-soaked dough, had a peach-basil filling. Guichon used white chocolate to form the fan's blades and stand, along with edible silver screws, creating an entirely chocolate centre for the fan.

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Boy, 2, Attacked By Dogs While Playing Outside Home In Hyderabad

A two-year-old boy was attacked by a pack of stray dogs in Hyderabad while playing outside his home. The incident, that happened in Rana Pratap Nagar of Hyderabad's Allapur area, was captured on CCTV. 

Video shows the boy walking to his home as two dogs approach him. Frightened, he tries running inside his home when one of the dogs suddenly lunges at him, grabbing his arm and dragging him to the street. Later, two more dogs join in, attacking and biting the child. Two women rush out of their homes to help the boy after listening to him screaming and crying. They manage to scare the dogs away. 

In a similar incident, a five-year-old child was severely injured after being attacked by a pack of dogs in Chakan in Pune district in Maharashtra in September. 

In August, an elderly woman was killed by a pack of stray dogs which then ate parts of her body in Telangana's Rajanna Sircilla district.
 

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Hemant Soren Counters BJP's Infiltration Allegation With Sheikh Hasina Jibe

The release of the BJP manifesto and Union minister Amit Shah's comments on "infiltration" have drawn a sharp response from Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Mr Soren has pointed out that infiltration from Bangladesh takes place through BJP-ruled states and questioned on what basis the Centre has given asylum to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

"I would like to know whether the BJP has some sort of internal understanding with Bangladesh," he said today while addressing an election rally at Ranka in Garhwa Assembly seat.

"Please tell us on what basis you allowed the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh to land in India and seek asylum. Infiltrators from Bangladesh enter India through BJP-ruled states. They are saying it themselves," he added.

Yesterday, while releasing the BJP manifesto, Amit Shah had accused the state of giving "shelter" to infiltrators.

"You have given shelter to infiltrators. You made infiltrators your votebank. Today I would like to inform the people of Jharkhand that by putting an end to appeasement politics, the BJP will drive out infiltrators and rebuild Jharkhand from scratch," he had said. 

Infiltration, though, is secondary to the big election issue that is expected to dominate the campaign - the BJP promise of implementing Uniform Civil Code, which has created a controversy in the tribal-dominated pockets of the state. 

While releasing the BJP manifesto yesterday, Mr Shah had made it clear that the tribal population, with its diverse customs and practices, will be kept out of the purview of the Uniform Civil Code.

This has been sharply challenged by the Congress, a partner in the ruling alliance. 

"If he is speaking in the capacity of the Union Home Minister then it is wrong. If he is speaking as a leader of the BJP then fine. They are habitual liars anyway," said senior Congress leader Rajesh Thakur. "Why are you saying that tribals will be out of the purview of UCC? Because you have included them in the UCC," he added. 

The BJP's "sankalp patra" for Jharkhand includes 25 resolutions to mark 25 years of the state's formation. 

Prominent among them is the welfare scheme for women "Gogo Didi" that promises Rs 2,100 per month to women to counter Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Maiyan Samman Yojana, under which they get Rs 1000 a month. The BJP has also promised free cooking gas during festivals and 5 lakh jobs for the young people in the state.
 

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Amid Rising Attacks, Big March In Bangladesh For Hindus, Other Minorities

Hundreds marched in Bangladesh's capital Saturday to demand protections for Hindus and other minorities who say they have suffered violence and threats since the ouster of autocratic premier Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina's toppling in an August student-led uprising saw a spate of reprisals on Hindus, who were seen as disproportionate supporters of her regime.

The caretaker government that replaced her, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has acknowledged and condemned attacks on Hindus but said in many cases they were motivated by politics rather than religion.

Regular protests in the months since claim that attacks are continuing and have demanded action from Yunus' administration, an "advisory council" tasked with implementing democratic reforms and staging fresh elections.

"It's deeply regrettable that the council of advisors do not acknowledge the sufferings minorities have endured," Hindu civic leader Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari told AFP.

"I have witnessed the atrocities against them -- their temples, businesses, and homes."

Protest organisers have urged the interim government to introduce a law to protect minorities and mandate a minimum share of minority representation in government, among other demands.

Tensions have been inflamed by the filing of sedition charges this week against 19 people who participated in an earlier minority rights rally in the port city of Chittagong.

The group was accused of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag by hoisting a saffron flag -- the emblematic colour of the Hindu faith -- to fly above it.

"Framing our leaders with false charges, like sedition, has made us sceptical of the government's intentions," protest member Chiranjan Goswami told AFP.

Hindus are the largest minority faith in mostly Muslim Bangladesh, accounting for around eight percent of the population.

Attacks have also been reported on Sufi shrines, with suspicion falling on Islamists seeking to curb alternative expressions of the Muslim faith.

Saturday's demonstration came a day after 10,000 people attended a similar rally in Chittagong.

Minority leaders have pledged to hold more protests in the coming weeks.

Hasina, 77, fled by helicopter to neighbouring India in August as protesters flooded Dhaka's streets in a dramatic end to her iron-fisted rule.

Her government was accused of widespread human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killing of thousands of her political opponents during her 15-year rule.

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Why US Votes In November But Inaugurates New President In January

The United States has an electoral system and calendar unlike no other country. The nation votes in November but the new President is inaugurated in January. While many countries swiftly usher in new leaders, the US takes a more measured approach with an 11-week transition period. Although this duration may seem lengthy, it is, in fact, shorter than the four months that the Constitution originally permitted for the transfer of power from an incumbent president to their successor.

Historical context

Federal elections in the US are held on the first Tuesday in November. Initially, states had different election days, but in 1845, a law established a uniform election day nationwide. At the time, the US was predominantly agricultural, and early November proved advantageous for farmers. The harvest would be complete, yet the weather remained good for travel. Certain days were ruled out for voting. Sunday was universally recognised as a day of worship for devout Christians, while Wednesday served as a market day for farmers to sell their produce. In addition, reaching polling places often required travel, even up to a day for those living in rural areas without modern transport. With Sunday and Wednesday unavailable, Monday and Thursday were also eliminated as potential election days. As such, Tuesday emerged as the most suitable choice.

From four months to under three months

The challenges faced during the Great Depression prompted leaders to expedite the swearing-in process for newly elected presidents, reducing the lengthy four-month “lame duck” period to under three months. A “lame duck” refers to an elected official whose successor has already been chosen, leaving them politically weakened.

The 20th Amendment, ratified in 1933, officially moved the inauguration date to January 20, while presidential elections continue to occur in early November.

Logistical considerations

One of the main reasons for this gap is the need for a seamless transition of power. After the election, the president-elect and their team require time to prepare for governance. This includes assembling a cabinet, developing policies and addressing national issues. The time between the election and inauguration allows the incoming administration to lay the groundwork for their agenda.

The extended transition period can also be attributed to the Electoral College system, which determines the president weeks after the popular vote, as opposed to a parliamentary system where the winning party directly assumes power. While this delay means that presidents cannot take office immediately, the winner is granted access to transition funding and can receive essential briefings from the outgoing administration to facilitate a smooth handover.

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