INTERNACIONAL
First time voting? Here is the ultimate guide to ballot boxes, critical issues on Election Day
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Voters across the country — particularly in Virginia, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — will head to the polls next month for an off-year election that could offer an early read on both parties’ strength heading into 2026.
Virginia’s races include the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general and have been brought to the fore of national conscience by the murder-text scandal enveloping Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones.
Virginia law now permits voters to register to vote on the same day as the election. If someone chooses this route, they will be asked to cast a provisional ballot; meaning a ballot that is later supposed to be vetted against voter roll and other information.
Every county from urban Arlington to far-flung Lee is also required to have at least one secure drop box. Voters can typically find them outside county offices, courthouses or libraries.
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A voter inserts her absentee voter ballot into a drop box in Troy, Michigan, on Oct. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Early voting in Virginia runs through Saturday, Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Key issues in Virginia’s races include how candidates are aligning on transgender bathroom and school sports debates, with Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears accusing Democrat Abigail Spanberger of failing to stand up for Virginia’s children.
That topic, as well as Jones’ texts envisioning the murder of a former GOP leader, led Earle-Sears to repeatedly interject in what she considered Spanberger’s vague or indirect answers at their sole debate held in Hampton Roads.
Earle-Sears warned voters in Smyth County on Thursday that Democrats will continue prior efforts to suppress fossil fuel development – which she said not only affects jobs in the coal-and-gas-rich southwest, but every Virginian’s power bill.
TRUMP’S SHADOW LOOMS LARGE OVER HEATED RACES ONE MONTH BEFORE ELECTION DAY
On the lieutenant governor ballot, businessman and commentator John Reid has ripped Democrat Ghazala Hashmi for refusing to debate him – with Reid creating an AI version of the Chesterfield senator to try to get the public to see the stark differences in their policy proposals.
Jones continues to be embroiled in scandal, as Attorney General Jason Miyares focused at their own debate in Richmond on the contrast between a candidate trying to be the state’s top law enforcement officer while carrying a criminal record and a hot temper per the texts, and one who has no such baggage.
The federal government shutdown looms over the race, and is expected to help Democrats who do not blame their congressional leaders but President Donald Trump for the unique effects the situation has on workforces there, in Maryland and nominally eastern West Virginia.
In New York, the future of the city’s political system is on the ballot as far-left Assemblyman. Zohran Mamdani leads both Democrat-turned-Independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.
NATION’S ONLY TWO 2025 RACES FOR GOVERNOR ROCKED WITH THREE WEEKS UNTIL ELECTION DAY
Cuomo and Sliwa — typically political adversaries — have both accused Mamdani of harboring «communist» policies that would make most city services free and weaken public safety through police reforms.
Sliwa, the outspoken Canarsie Republican who founded the Guardian Angels, has said he is the only one who can ensure New York’s safety and solvency.
But his third-place position led to debates with ideologically aligned colleagues like fellow radio host Sid Rosenberg over his potential spoiler role. Sliwa suggested last week he would never appear on 77WABC again after his colleagues purportedly abandoned him.
Cuomo has positioned himself as the moderate, relying on his trademark Queens wit to fend off attacks from both rivals. Still, his resignation, pandemic-era controversies and cleared sexual misconduct allegations continue to shadow his campaign.
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Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, has continued to face criticism for his far-left proposals, including free public transit, rent freezes and closing Rikers Island.
Early voting in New York runs through Nov. 3.
Across the Hudson, New Jersey is shaping up to be Republicans’ best shot at flipping a blue state – as former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has made gains on Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J.
Like the other elections, affordability is at the top of the ballot, and Ciattarelli has garnered several aisle-crossing endorsements, including in entrenched blue Hudson County – where Democrats like the imprisoned Robert Menendez Sr. made his name.
NEW POLL IN KEY SHOWDOWN FOR VIRGINIA GOVERNOR INDICATES SINGLE-DIGIT RACE
Trump has endorsed candidates in New Jersey, but not the Virginia governor’s race. He has endorsed Miyares for attorney general.
Pennsylvanians face a unique off-year election with three Democratic Supreme Court justices up for retention – or a vote to keep them on the bench for another 10 years.
It is exceedingly rare for such elections to see the «No» column win – which would spark a new election for any jurist who loses more than 50% of voters’ confidence.
Justices David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty all face immense opposition from the right – particularly for their rulings to keep the state closed under the wishes of then-Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration during the coronavirus pandemic.
The aftermath of Pennsylvania’s shutdown – in which Wolf enacted policies often mirroring those of Cuomo – has somewhat bifurcated who continues to receive criticism.
While Wolf was term-limited, many of his aligned then-colleagues, including then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, remain at the top levels of government. Shapiro enjoys elevated approval ratings as the incumbent governor, and is touted as a potential 2028 presidential figure – while Republicans have notably directed their ire at the justices for their role.
Counties have the option to use drop boxes, while the largest counties, like Philadelphia and Allegheny, must have multiple ones, according to reports.
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Pennsylvania’s election system has been lambasted for its long count times – which often stem from its policy that county-received mail-in ballots cannot be even prepared (or «precanvassed») for tabulation until 7 a.m. ET on Election Day.
Of all the major states holding elections, only Virginia has a veritable voter-ID law.
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INTERNACIONAL
EN VIVO | El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU se reúne este jueves para tratar la situación en Irán
La sesión extraordinaria tendrá como eje un informe sobre la situación interna iraní, tras semanas de protestas, represión por parte del régimen y un agravamiento del escenario de seguridad. Un portavoz de la presidencia somalí del ente confirmó que la convocatoria fue solicitada por EEUU
El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, afirmó el miércoles que la represión violenta del régimen iraní contra las protestas multitudinarias “parece estar disminuyendo” y que Teherán habría decidido no avanzar con ejecuciones de manifestantes. “Han dicho que los asesinatos han cesado y que las ejecuciones no se llevarán a cabo y vamos a averiguarlo”, señaló el mandatario.
En paralelo, el régimen iraní cerró su espacio aéreo durante casi cinco horas en la noche, en medio de preocupaciones por una posible acción militar de Estados Unidos. La medida obligó a aerolíneas a cancelar, desviar o retrasar vuelos, de acuerdo con reportes del sector aeronáutico.
Además, Teherán amenazó con lanzar ataques contra bases militares de Estados Unidos y de sus aliados en Medio Oriente si Washington interviene en apoyo a las protestas. En ese marco, surgieron reportes diplomáticos sobre la evacuación preventiva de personal estadounidense de la base aérea Al Udeid, en Qatar.
La tensión externa coincidió con un endurecimiento de la represión interna. El jefe del Poder Judicial iraní, Gholamhosein Mohseni Ejei, anunció la puesta en marcha de juicios “rápidos” contra los detenidos por delitos de moharebeh o “guerra contra Dios”. Mientras el régimen reconoció por primera vez una cifra global de 2.000 muertos durante los disturbios, organismos independientes como HRANA elevaron el conteo a 2.571 fallecidos verificados y denunciaron que más de 10.000 personas permanecen bajo custodia.
A continuación, la cobertura minuto a minuto:
El petróleo retrocede luego de las declaraciones de Trump que reducen el temor a una ofensiva de Estados Unidos
Los precios del petróleo cayeron más de dos dólares por barril después de que el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, declarara que le informaron que los planes de ejecuciones en Irán se detuvieron, lo que alivió los temores a una escalada y a un eventual ataque estadounidense.
El retroceso del crudo coincidió con una jornada negativa en los mercados financieros, en la que las acciones asiáticas operaron en su mayoría a la baja y los futuros de Wall Street también descendieron, tras una caída previa de la bolsa estadounidense vinculada a pérdidas en las principales acciones tecnológicas.
El crudo de referencia estadounidense bajó un 3,3% y cerró en 59,88 dólares por barril, mientras que el crudo Brent retrocedió un 3,2% hasta 64,40 dólares por barril.
El poder judicial del régimen de Irán afirmó que Erfan Soltani no enfrenta una condena a muerte
El poder judicial de Irán afirmó que Erfan Soltani no enfrenta una condena a muerte, según informaron medios estatales iraníes. Soltani, de 26 años, figuró como el primer manifestante iraní sentenciado a la pena capital desde el inicio de los disturbios actuales. Su familia señaló previamente que las autoridades les comunicaron un aplazamiento de la ejecución.
Soltani, empleado de una tienda de ropa, quedó detenido el jueves pasado en el noroeste de Teherán tras participar en protestas y estaba previsto que fuera ejecutado el miércoles, de acuerdo con organizaciones de derechos humanos. El nuevo desarrollo fue reportado recientemente por Reuters.
El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU se reúne este jueves para tratar la situación en Irán
El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU tiene previsto reunirse este jueves por la tarde para sostener una “sesión informativa sobre la situación en Irán”, informó un portavoz de la presidencia somalí del ente.
La reunión fue solicitada por Estados Unidos, precisó el portavoz.
El secretario del Tesoro de EEUU afirmó que los líderes del régimen iraní están sacando dinero del país: “Las ratas huyen del barco”
“Podemos ver millones, decenas de millones de dólares siendo transferidos fuera del país, sacados a escondidas por el liderazgo iraní”, declaró Scott Bessent. “Vamos a rastrear estos activos y no podrán mantenerlos”, afirmó
El secretario del Tesoro de Estados Unidos, Scott Bessent, afirmó que Washington sigue de cerca una salida masiva de capitales protagonizada por el régimen de Irán, en un contexto de protestas nacionales, represión letal y crecientes amenazas de una posible acción militar estadounidense contra la República Islámica.
El régimen de Irán reabrió su espacio aéreo tras un cierre de casi cinco horas en medio de la tensión con Estados Unidos
Irán reabrió su espacio aéreo tras un cierre de casi cinco horas en medio de preocupaciones por una posible acción militar entre Estados Unidos e Irán, una situación que obligó a aerolíneas a cancelar, desviar o retrasar vuelos. El país había restringido el tránsito aéreo en un contexto de creciente tensión regional.
El cierre comenzó a las 5:15 p.m. ET del miércoles (22:15 GMT), cuando Irán bloqueó su espacio aéreo a todos los vuelos, excepto a los internacionales con permiso oficial para entrar o salir del país, según un aviso publicado en el sitio web de la Administración Federal de Aviación de Estados Unidos. La restricción se levantó poco antes de las 10 p.m. ET (0300 GMT), de acuerdo con el servicio de seguimiento Flightradar24.
Tras la reapertura, Flightradar24 mostró que cinco vuelos de las aerolíneas iraníes Mahan Air, Yazd Airways y AVA Airlines figuraron entre los primeros en reanudarse sobre el país.
El ex príncipe heredero de Irán sostuvo que bajo el régimen ayatolá el país quedó ligado al “terrorismo, el extremismo y la pobreza”
Reza Pahlavi afirmó que “el verdadero Irán es diferente. Un Irán hermoso, pacífico y floreciente”, y afirmó que ese país “existía antes de la República Islámica” y “resurgirá de sus cenizas el día en que esta caiga”
El príncipe exiliado Reza Pahlavi afirmó que la imagen internacional de Irán quedó asociada a “el terrorismo, el extremismo y la pobreza” bajo el régimen ayatolá, y sostuvo que un eventual cambio de gobierno permitirá revertir esa percepción mediante un giro profundo en política exterior, seguridad, economía y gobernanza, según un mensaje difundido el miércoles en la red social X.
Estados Unidos solicitó una reunión de emergencia del Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU sobre Irán
La información fue confirmada por un diplomático del organismo internacional que habló bajo condición de anonimato debido a que el encuentro aún no figura en la agenda oficial. La reunión se prevé para este jueves por la tarde
El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU se reunirá este jueves de forma extraordinaria para tratar la situación en Irán, tras una solicitud formal de Estados Unidos, en un contexto marcado por denuncias de represión contra protestas masivas, advertencias de posibles ejecuciones y tensiones diplomáticas entre Washington y Teherán.
Trump solo consideraría una acción militar de Estados Unidos en Irán si produce un golpe rápido y decisivo contra el régimen
De acuerdo con las fuentes citadas por NBC News, el presidente dejó en claro que no desea un conflicto que se extienda durante semanas o meses, ni una escalada sostenida sin resultados inmediatos
El presidente Donald Trump expresó a su equipo de seguridad nacional que solo consideraría una acción militar estadounidense en Irán si produce un golpe rápido y decisivo contra el régimen, sin derivar en una guerra prolongada, según un funcionario estadounidense, dos personas familiarizadas con las discusiones y una fuente cercana a la Casa Blanca, citados por NBC News.
Iraníes en el extranjero esperan noticias de sus seres queridos en medio de un apagón de comunicaciones
Un apagón de comunicaciones a nivel nacional impuesto por el gobierno ha dejado a los iraníes fuera del país luchando por comunicarse con familiares y amigos
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(AP foto/Vahid Salemi)
Un continuo apagón de comunicaciones dentro de Irán ha dejado a los iraníes fuera del país luchando por comunicarse con familiares y amigos, mientras que el número de muertos por la represión de las protestas antigubernamentales ha ascendido a más de 2.600, según la Agencia de Noticias de Activistas de Derechos Humanos, con sede en Estados Unidos.
Diplomacy / Foreign Policy,North America
INTERNACIONAL
Federal court clears California’s new House map boosting Democrats ahead of 2026 midterms
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California can move forward with a new U.S. House map that would boost Democrats’ chances in the 2026 midterms, a federal court ruled Wednesday.
A three-judge panel in Los Angeles ruled 2-1 to deny requests from both state Republicans and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to block the map from being used, giving Democrats a realistic chance at flipping up to five House seats in the midterm election.
In November, California voters passed a ballot initiative, known as Proposition 50, dramatically altering the state’s congressional districts. The pursuit of the new map was largely viewed as an attempt to offset recent redistricting in Texas, which generated more Republican-leaning districts.
«Republicans’ weak attempt to silence voters failed,» California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. «California voters overwhelmingly supported Prop 50 – to respond to Trump’s rigging in Texas – and that is exactly what this court concluded.»
FEDERAL JUDGES BLOCK TEXAS FROM USING REDRAWN CONGRESSIONAL MAP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised a federal court decision allowing the state to move forward with a new congressional map. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The complaint challenged California’s efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map, with DOJ Civil Rights Division lawyers arguing that race was «used as a proxy» to justify creating districts that benefit Democrats.
But California Democrats argued that the map was legal because it was drawn for partisan advantage.
In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that partisan gerrymandering is a political question and not one for federal courts to decide. On Wednesday, the California panel sided with the state’s argument, saying there was insufficient evidence that the maps were drawn based on race.
RED STATE MOVES FORWARD ON TRUMP-BACKED PUSH FOR NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks next to his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom after California’s special election on Proposition 50, a measure that would temporarily redraw congressional districts, at the California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento, California, Nov. 4, 2025. (REUTERS/Fred Greaves)
«After reviewing the evidence, we conclude that it was exactly as one would think: it was partisan,» the judges wrote.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Lee, an appointee of President Donald Trump, said in dissent that at least one district was drawn using race as a factor «to curry favor with Latino groups and voters.»
Still, Republicans are expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.
HIGH-STAKES MAP FIGHT: HERE ARE THE NEXT BATTLEGROUNDS IN THE TRUMP VS. DEMOCRATS REDISTRICTING SHOWDOWN
Former Vice President Kamala Harris attends a Yes on Proposition 50 rally at the Los Angeles Convention Center Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The panel’s ruling constitutes a major victory for Democrats following the implementation of new congressional maps in several Republican-led states.
Last year, Missouri moved forward with congressional redistricting that favors Republicans, and North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature signed off on a new map that may lead to an additional congressional victory for the GOP.
«Californians overwhelmingly voted in favor of Proposition 50. Today’s decision upholds the will of the people. It also means that, to date, every single challenge against Proposition 50 has failed,» California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. «I couldn’t be prouder of my team for successfully defending this ballot initiative in court on behalf of Governor Newsom and Secretary of State Weber. We remain confident in the legality of Proposition 50.»
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House maps are typically redrawn every 10 years following the census, and the process rarely takes place mid-decade. California relies on an independent commission to draw maps, while other states, including Texas, allow lawmakers to lead the effort.
To retake control of the House in the midterms, Democrats need to pick up only a handful of seats. Republicans currently hold a narrow majority with 218 seats to Democrats’ 213.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser, Ashley Oliver and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
california,gavin newsom,midterm elections,house of representatives politics
INTERNACIONAL
Iran allegedly airs 97 ‘coercive confessions’ amid record-breaking North Korea-style internet blackout
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The Iranian regime has allegedly broadcast at least 97 «coercive confessions» from detained protesters on state television in just over two weeks, human rights groups say, as residents endure the longest internet blackout on record.
The videos reportedly feature handcuffed detainees with blurred faces showing remorse for their actions since the protests began Dec. 28, according to a rights group tracking the videos.
It said ominous music can be heard, and edited footage shows attacks on security forces, according to reporting by The Associated Press and data from the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
Other rights groups also claim the confession videos are coerced and obtained under duress, with protesters «dragged before cameras under the threat of torture and execution.»
G7 THREATENS IRAN WITH NEW SANCTIONS OVER NATIONWIDE PROTEST CRACKDOWN KILLING THOUSANDS
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the killings in Iran during mass protests have ended. (MAHSA/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
«The regime’s broadcast of so-called confessions by detained protesters is a threadbare and worn tactic,» Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), told Fox News Digital.
«Time and time again, the henchmen drag arrested demonstrators before cameras under the threat of torture and execution, coercing them to recant their beliefs or invent absurd stories.»
The broadcasts come amid nationwide protests sparked by public anger over political repression, economic collapse and alleged abuses by security forces.
Demonstrations have spread across major cities despite mass arrests, lethal force and sweeping restrictions on communication.
IRANIAN STUDENT SHOT IN HEAD AT CLOSE RANGE AMID PROTESTS, BODY BURIED ALONG ROADSIDE
Safavi said the confessions serve a dual purpose.
«First, they are meant to justify the mass slaughter of protesters, no fewer than 3,000, which NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi has stated constitute manifest crimes against humanity,» he said.
«These forced confessions are designed to demoralize the Iranian people and sow fear and doubt.»
But he said any mass executions or staged confessions «won’t achieve that because no amount of televised coercion or repression will break the protesters’ resolve.»
ARMED IRAN PROTESTERS BATTLE POLICE IN TEHRAN STREETS AS TRUMP WARNS OF FORCEFUL US RESPONSE
Protesters burn images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally organized by the National Council of Resistance of Iran Jan. 11. (Carlos Jasso/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S.-based HRANA has warned that forced confessions in Iran frequently follow psychological or physical torture and can carry severe consequences, including death sentences.
«These rights violations compound on top of each other and lead to horrific outcomes,» Skylar Thompson, HRANA group’s deputy director, told The Associated Press, adding that the scale of broadcasts is unprecedented.
The confession campaign coincides with a sweeping internet shutdown that has effectively cut the public off from independent information.
According to NetBlocks, Iran’s internet blackout has surpassed 144 consecutive hours, making it one of the longest disruptions ever recorded.
«The shutdown is still ongoing, making it one of the longest blackouts on record,» Isik Mater, NetBlocks’ director of research, told Fox News Digital.
«State TV continues to operate normally via satellite transmission, which does not depend on the public internet, which means households can still watch Iranian state channels even during a near-total shutdown.»
IRAN PROTESTS GROW DEADLIER AS REGIME INTERNET BLACKOUT FAILS TO STOP UPRISING
Iran’s internet blackout activated the centralized «kill switch» to conceal alleged crimes as protests surge. NetBlocks CEO Alp Toker says connectivity dropped below 2%. (Sadegh Nikgostar ATPImages/Getty Images)
Mater said the blackout magnifies the impact of state propaganda because «while the public is cut off, the state relies on broadcast media and its domestic National Information Network to control what people see,» she said, likening Iran’s information strategy to that of North Korea.
«A useful comparison is North Korea where the vast majority of citizens there have little to no access to the global internet, yet the state TV and radio broadcast regime propaganda 24/7,» she said.
«Information flows through closed systems, like North Korea’s domestic intranet Kwangmyong and not the open internet.»
Mater added that shutdowns are highly selective, with senior officials and state institutions retaining connectivity through «whitelisted networks.»
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«Senior officials and state institutions retain connectivity via whitelisted government networks and private links,» Mater said.
«This is why Ali Khamenei and other government officials continue posting on global social media platforms during the blackout, enabling the regime to shape the narrative internationally while citizens are unable to document events or even respond.»
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En medio de los rumores que lo vinculan con Boca, Ezequiel Ávila anotó doblete en la victoria de Betis en la Copa del Rey
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