DONALD TRUMP (Shutterstock).

In defiance of widespread opinion that the 2024 presidential race would be close, Republican nominee former president Donald Trump defeated Democratic nominee Vice Kamala Harris by a relatively wide margin.

As of 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Associated Press has “called” 277 electoral votes for Trump and 224 for Harris. To win, a candidate needs 270 votes. Trump, who will be only the second president ever to win nonconsecutive terms, won or is winning all the “swing”states. Grover Cleveland (1884 and 1892) was the first.

In the popular vote, Trump leads with 51.0 percent to 47.5 percent for Harris.

“We’ve been through so much together, and today you showed up in record numbers to deliver a victory,” said Trump. “This was something special and we’re going to pay you back.”

Republicans have won control of the Senate and appeared on the way to keeping control of the House of Representatives, potentially smoothing the path for a reversal of national policies from those of the Biden Administration.

Israeli defense minister is fired

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU

In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was fired from his post by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the Associated Press, the two have differed about the conduct of the war in Gaza. In his announcement, Netanyahu said there was a “crisis of trust” between the two former friends.

The dismissal of Gallant sparked protests in Israel. One such event jammed the streets of Tel Aviv.

In addition to the conflict in Gaza, Israel is also fighting with Islamic militias from Lebanon and has launched military strikes into Iraq.

Among the differences between the two were – reportedly – exemptions from the draft for ultra-Orthodox men, the need for a hostage deal and the idea of an inquiry into the “political and security failures” on Oct. 7, 2023 when Hamas started the conflict by raiding Israel.

North Korean troops fight in Ukraine

RUSSIA VS. UKRAINE (Shutterstock).

For the first time, troops from the Democratic Republic of Korea – North Korea – have clashed with Ukrainian troops as allies of Russia.

According to The New York Times, a force estimated at about 10,000 troops are in action in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainians have seized and hold an estimated 250 square miles of territory.

“The first battles with North Korean soldiers mark a new chapter of global instability,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Together with the world, we must do everything to ensure that this Russian step toward expanding the war — this true escalation — becomes a loss.”

Weather: Sunny and warmish

There will be plenty of sun and relatively warm days for our West Orange County cities right into the weekend. The forecast calls for a daytime high of 76 with an overnight low of 49. Thursday warms slightly to 78 (45) and Friday cools a bit to 77 (46). That trend continues into Saturday with a high of 74 and a low of 49.

Great Thoughts

“Chance favors the prepared mind.”
– Louis Pasteur, scientist.