Today is Veterans Day, a federal holiday in the US honoring the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Regional events and events are to be held across the country to pay tribute to millions of American heroes. Admission to all US National Parks is also free today – including the most popular ones that often draw record crowds.
Here’s what else you need to know to start your day.
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Votes are still being counted in crucial House and Senate races that will decide who controls Congress next year. In the Senate race, election officials say it could take hours – or days – to count the more than 500,000 votes remaining in Arizona and about 95,000 others in Nevada. Republicans must pick up two Democratic seats to win a majority in the Senate. Meanwhile, there are several key races yet to be fought that will determine the future of the House in January. Republicans appear to be slowly closing in on the 218 seats that would give them a narrow victory, but incoming results from California and Colorado could ultimately determine which party controls the chamber.
A federal judge has struck down President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness program, calling it illegal. Biden’s plan was already on hold due to a separate legal challenge, but a new lawsuit filed by a conservative group will further delay student loan relief. On Thursday, a Texas federal judge — who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump — found that the executive branch lacked clear authorization from Congress to create the student loan forgiveness program. The Biden administration is appealing the decision. As for the 26 million borrowers who have already provided the necessary information to be considered for debt forgiveness, the Department of Education “will retain their information so that we can process their relief quickly once we prevail in court,” a spokeswoman said. White House Karine Jean- said Pierre in his statement.
At least four people died when Nicole hit Florida’s east coast as a Category 1 hurricane this week. Photos of the damage show buildings and homes torn down by the dangerous storm and strong winds. Roads remain flooded and thousands of customers are without power this morning. Nicole weakened to a tropical depression on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. However, the receding storm has headed north, moving into southwest Georgia today. It is expected to cross the western Carolinas by late afternoon. Watch CNN’s storm tracker here to see Nicole’s path.
‘We’re in trouble here in Daytona’: Coastal homes are collapsing into the ocean 01:00 – Source: CNN
Americans struggling with high inflation finally have some relief at the grocery store. Prices overall rose 12.4% through October compared with a year ago, but analysts at market research firm NielsenIQ say there are some deals to be had. In fresh produce, the average price of prepared mixed vegetables is down 68% compared to the same period last year. Many fresh seafood options are also cheaper: striped bass is down 41.8% from last year, while lobster costs are also down 7.2%. Some packaged baked goods, such as various bagels, were down 48%. Baked goods and cranberry sauce also see a price drop just in time for the holidays. And in drinks, kombucha drinks are down 22.7%. Most consumers are also not buying in bulk, analysts say, as more shoppers choose smaller sizes to control spending.
Grocery chain CEO on food prices: ‘My crystal ball is broken’
President Biden heads to a UN summit today where he is expected to tout his climate record. In a speech at the COP27 summit in Egypt, Biden will declare that the US is back as a world leader on climate change after passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which included about $370 billion in clean energy incentives for the limiting the use of harmful greenhouse gases. . But many nations participating in this week’s conference are focused on another issue: demanding that climate reparations be paid by wealthy, high-emitting countries like the US to smaller, poorer nations that have felt the brunt of climate change. Biden has struggled to win support in Congress for global climate resilience funding that would help low-income states. And if Republicans gain control of one or both chambers, the prospects for any new climate legislation in the next two years appear dim.
John Kerry: The climate should not be about conflict with China
Russian troops leave the Kherson region of Ukraine
Russian forces have completed their withdrawal from Ukraine’s Kherson region west of the Dnipro River, including the city of Kherson, the Russian Defense Ministry announced today. It comes after Moscow ordered a partial withdrawal from the region this week, marking one of the biggest military setbacks for Russian President Vladimir Putin since the start of the war. Ukrainian troops entered the city today and residents were seen waving flags in the main square.
Field tool for female Ukrainian soldiers surprises Amanpour
The tallest woman in the world takes her first flight
Flying isn’t usually a comfortable experience for people over 7 feet tall… Luckily, one airline modified several seats to help the world’s tallest woman travel with ease. See the photos here.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in theaters today
The long-awaited Marvel movie is here – and it’s accomplished the difficult task of dealing with the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman.
Newly Discovered Tunnel 43 Feet Underground May Lead to Cleopatra’s Tomb, Archaeologist Says
After searching for Cleopatra’s lost tomb for nearly 20 years, an archaeologist believes she is very close to solving the mystery.
The most remarkable architectural photos of 2022 have been revealed
These stunning images are competing for top honors at the World Architecture Festival. See the gallery here.
Chris Rock will make history with his first live Netflix show
Netflix plans to broadcast its first live, global streaming event. Here’s what we know.
In which state was a single winning ticket sold this week for the record $2.04 billion Powerball lottery jackpot?
A. Colorado
N. California
C. Connecticut
D. North Carolina
Take CNN’s weekly news quiz to see if you’re right!
1,203 points
That’s how much the Dow rose on Thursday, making it the best day for U.S. stocks since 2020. The boost came after new government data showed price increases eased in October. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also posted their biggest percentage jumps since spring 2020, up 5.5% and 7.3% respectively. Wall Street is now hoping the data will help persuade the Federal Reserve to back off on the size and pace of the next rate hikes.
“He’s someone I’ve known for a decade and I’ve never heard an anti-Semitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group.”
– NBA commissioner Adam Silver, saying Thursday that he does not believe Kyrie Irving is anti-Semitic. Silver, who is Jewish, told The New York Times that the two had “a direct and honest conversation” at league headquarters this week. Silver’s comments come after the Brooklyn Nets suspended Irving last week for at least five games after he doubled down on his decision to share a link to an anti-Semitic documentary with his millions of followers on social media. Silver told the Times that he has watched the film and concluded that “it was indeed hate speech.” The NBA and the Nets will hold discussions to determine when Irving can return from his suspension, Silver added.
Cold front sweeps US as remnants of Nicole bring rain to East Coast 03:13 – Source: CNN
Check your local forecast here >>>
Meet the intern who wrote Solitaire for Microsoft
Meet the intern who wrote Solitaire for Microsoft
In 1988, a young Microsoft intern created a board game out of boredom. Little did he know it would become one of the most iconic PC games of all time. (Click here to view)
