Weeks before the US Presidential elections, Democratic circles feared that the race could be slipping further away from Vice President Kamala Harris. &nbsp;

Notably, margins between the two candidates are close in the seven battleground states, which are likely to decide the contest.&nbsp;

However, the Democrats still think Harris can defeat Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, at the same time, they are privately having discussions, expressing fear that the battleground polling appeared to be moving in Trump’s direction over the last two weeks, The Hill reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-gates-backs-kamala-harris-by-secretly-donating-50-million-for-her-presidential-run-report-769917">Also read:&nbsp;Bill Gates backs Kamala Harris by secretly donating $50 million for her presidential run: Report</a>

There have been cracks in the "blue wall" of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with Senate incumbents in both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin now in toss-up races, according to the Cook Political Report.&nbsp;

Generally, the three northern states move in the same direction in the presidential race, but Harris has been losing ground to Trump, particularly in Wisconsin.&nbsp;

“Everyone keeps saying, ‘It’s close.’ Yes, it’s close, but are things trending our way? No. And no one wants to openly admit that,” said one Democratic strategist. “Could we still win? Maybe. Should anyone be even slightly optimistic right now? No.”&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;US Elections 2024: Trump Holds Lead Over Harris on Economic Issues: Poll

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Another strategist said, “If this is a vibe election, the current vibes ain’t great.”&nbsp;

Democratic strategist Jim Manley, a former senior aide for the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), said that he feels optimistic about Harris's chances.&nbsp;

“It’s pretty damn frustrating for it to be so close given how extreme and unhinged Trump’s rhetoric has become in the last couple of weeks,” Manley said.&nbsp;

About Harris's campaign, he said, "I just hope and trust they’ve got a plan."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Weeks before the US Presidential elections, Democratic circles feared that the race could be slipping further away from Vice President Kamala Harris. Notably, margins between the two candidates are close in the seven battleground states, which are likely to decide the contest.

Weeks before the US Presidential elections, Democratic circles feared that the race could be slipping further away from Vice President Kamala Harris. Notably, margins between the two candidates are close in the seven battleground states, which are likely to decide the contest. However, the Democrats still think Harris can defeat Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Meanwhile, at the same time, they are privately having discussions, expressing fear that the battleground polling appeared to be moving in Trump’s direction over the last two weeks, The Hill reported. Also read: Bill Gates backs Kamala Harris by secretly donating $50 million for her presidential run: Report There have been cracks in the "blue wall" of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with Senate incumbents in both Pennsylvania and Wisconsin now in toss-up races, according to the Cook Political Report. Generally, the three northern states move in the same direction in the presidential race, but Harris has been losing ground to Trump, particularly in Wisconsin. “Everyone keeps saying, ‘It’s close.’ Yes, it’s close, but are things trending our way? No. And no one wants to openly admit that,” said one Democratic strategist. “Could we still win? Maybe. Should anyone be even slightly optimistic right now? No.” Watch | US Elections 2024: Trump Holds Lead Over Harris on Economic Issues: Poll × Another strategist said, “If this is a vibe election, the current vibes ain’t great.” Democratic strategist Jim Manley, a former senior aide for the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), said that he feels optimistic about Harris's chances. “It’s pretty damn frustrating for it to be so close given how extreme and unhinged Trump’s rhetoric has become in the last couple of weeks,” Manley said. About Harris's campaign, he said, "I just hope and trust they’ve got a plan." (With inputs from agencies)

Democrats worry US presidential race slipping away from Kamala Harris

The UK, US and Canada have jointly called out Russia for plotting to influence Moldova's upcoming presidential election and referendum on European Union membership later this year.

The three governments in a joint statement issued on the first day of the G7 summit, accused Russian actors of “spreading lies” and being engaged in a long-running campaign of political interference aimed at weakening Moldova's democratic institutions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-pm-recean-invites-indian-students-and-tourists-calls-india-important-player-globally-722948" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-pm-recean-invites-indian-students-and-tourists-calls-india-important-player-globally-722948&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjekpaVhdqGAxX8TmwGHZsPDNgQFnoECAkQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PbireCgsBgwYK_1jAun_l&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-pm-recean-invites-indian-students-and-tourists-calls-india-important-player-globally-722948" target="_blank">Moldova&nbsp;PM Recean invites Indian students and tourists</a>

The three countries said Moscow was trying to undermine Moldova’s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, before the next presidential election and referendum on EU membership. Both votes are due on 20 October.

The former Soviet nation bordering Ukraine has long feared Russian meddling in its internal affairs, particularly in the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transnistria and the autonomous southern region of Gagauzia. Sandu's administration has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow.

According to the UK, US and Canadian governments, Russian actors were seeking to foment negative public view of Sandu, western governments and the prospect of Moldovan membership of the EU.&nbsp;

Notably, Sandu has been president since 2020, when she was elected with 57.7% of the vote in the final runoff.

The three governments accused Russia of actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air, and on their streets to further their objectives&nbsp;of “degrading public confidence in Moldova’s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-minister-pitches-his-country-as-education-destination-recalls-jimmy-jimmy-songs-popularity-722947" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-minister-pitches-his-country-as-education-destination-recalls-jimmy-jimmy-songs-popularity-722947&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjekpaVhdqGAxX8TmwGHZsPDNgQFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IV0XfS0qLcTH2dfxN_-iU&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moldova-minister-pitches-his-country-as-education-destination-recalls-jimmy-jimmy-songs-popularity-722947" target="_blank">Moldova&nbsp;minister pitches his country as education destination</a>

The three countries further said that if Sandu were re-elected, “there is reason to believe Moscow will work to provoke protests”.&nbsp;

They said they were working closely with the Moldovan government and had already sanctioned actors involved, with further sanctions being considered.

“We will support Moldova and the Moldovan people as they manage Kremlin interference and the impacts of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine,” the statement from the UK, US and Canada said.

“We strongly support Moldova’s democratic, economic, security, and anticorruption reforms and deepening European integration."

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-90-of-ukrainian-refugees-in-moldova-723964" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-90-of-ukrainian-refugees-in-moldova-723964&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjekpaVhdqGAxX8TmwGHZsPDNgQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw11SSapkL38NxHpQ4PnxVY4&amp;arm=e&amp;fexp=72519171,72519168" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-90-of-ukrainian-refugees-in-moldova-723964" target="_blank">Russia-Ukraine war: 90% of Ukrainian refugees in&nbsp;Moldova</a>

“We have exposed the Kremlin's plot to interfere in Moldova's elections. This action sends a strong message, we champion free and fair elections, and we will not stand idly by while Russia undermines democratic processes. We call on the Kremlin to cease these attempts to subvert Moldovan democracy and respect the country's sovereignty and the results of a free, fair, and independent election,” the statement further said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The UK, US and Canada have jointly called out Russia for plotting to influence Moldova's upcoming presidential election and referendum on European Union membership later this year.

The UK, US and Canada have jointly called out Russia for plotting to influence Moldova's upcoming presidential election and referendum on European Union membership later this year. The three governments in a joint statement issued on the first day of the G7 summit, accused Russian actors of “spreading lies” and being engaged in a long-running campaign of political interference aimed at weakening Moldova's democratic institutions. Also read: Moldova PM Recean invites Indian students and tourists The three countries said Moscow was trying to undermine Moldova’s pro-western president, Maia Sandu, before the next presidential election and referendum on EU membership. Both votes are due on 20 October. The former Soviet nation bordering Ukraine has long feared Russian meddling in its internal affairs, particularly in the Kremlin-backed breakaway region of Transnistria and the autonomous southern region of Gagauzia. Sandu's administration has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow. According to the UK, US and Canadian governments, Russian actors were seeking to foment negative public view of Sandu, western governments and the prospect of Moldovan membership of the EU. Notably, Sandu has been president since 2020, when she was elected with 57.7% of the vote in the final runoff. The three governments accused Russia of actively using disinformation and propaganda online, on the air, and on their streets to further their objectives of “degrading public confidence in Moldova’s ability to secure itself and maintain rule of law”. Also read: Moldova minister pitches his country as education destination The three countries further said that if Sandu were re-elected, “there is reason to believe Moscow will work to provoke protests”. They said they were working closely with the Moldovan government and had already sanctioned actors involved, with further sanctions being considered. “We will support Moldova and the Moldovan people as they manage Kremlin interference and the impacts of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine,” the statement from the UK, US and Canada said. “We strongly support Moldova’s democratic, economic, security, and anticorruption reforms and deepening European integration." Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: 90% of Ukrainian refugees in Moldova “We have exposed the Kremlin's plot to interfere in Moldova's elections. This action sends a strong message, we champion free and fair elections, and we will not stand idly by while Russia undermines democratic processes. We call on the Kremlin to cease these attempts to subvert Moldovan democracy and respect the country's sovereignty and the results of a free, fair, and independent election,” the statement further said. (With inputs from agencies)

UK, US, and Canada accuse Russia of interfering in Moldovan elections

A video of the former United States President Donald Trump calling his predecessor Barack Obama the founder of Islamic State (ISIS) is making rounds on social media days after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow, on Friday (Mar 22). &nbsp;

<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>

In the video, Trump can be heard saying “ISIS is honouring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hilary Clinton.”&nbsp;

However, the clip is misleading and inaccurate as while&nbsp;the former president did make those remarks, he said that&nbsp;ahead of the 2016 presidential election, at a rally in the US state of Florida and not after the attack in Moscow which claimed at least 133 lives, including three children. The attack, which was claimed by ISIS, also left more than 150 injured.

The Republican nominee, Trump, backtracked on his assertions, after repeating them over and over again in the days that followed and in a tweet said, “THEY DON’T GET SARCASM?”&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moscow-concert-hall-attack-more-than-one-isis-branch-likely-involved-in-rampage-says-report-703744">Moscow concert hall attack: More than one ISIS branch likely involved in rampage, says report</a>

Notably, Trump’s comments came as he was criticising the Obama administration’s foreign policy including American troops being stationed in conflict zones, and his withdrawal of troops from Iraq.&nbsp;

However, it was Obama’s predecessor George Bush, a Republican, who signed the Status of Forces agreement in 2008, in line with which all American troops would be required to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.&nbsp;

<h2>Moscow terror attack</h2>

On Sunday (Mar 24), Russia lowered flags to half-mast for a day of mourning after more than 130 people had been killed at a rock concert in what is being called the country’s deadliest attack inside Russia for two decades.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by multiple explosions in Russian bombardment

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Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that he would track down those responsible for the attack and punish them “I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones,” said the Russian president in his first address to the nation on the attack, on Saturday (Mar 23). &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/low-life-putin-trying-to-shift-blame-zelensky-condemns-russia-for-linking-moscow-attack-to-ukraine-703602">‘Low-life Putin trying to shift blame’: Zelensky condemns Russia for linking Moscow attack to Ukraine</a>

ISIS has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, however, Putin has not acknowledged it and said that the attackers have been trying to escape to Ukraine and that “some on the Ukrainian side” had prepared to spirit them across the border.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has denied any role in the attack, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin a “low-life” for “trying to blame it on someone else…They always have the same methods.”

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A video of the former United States President Donald Trump calling his predecessor Barack Obama the founder of Islamic State (ISIS) is making rounds on social media days after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow, on Friday (Mar 22).

A video of the former United States President Donald Trump calling his predecessor Barack Obama the founder of Islamic State (ISIS) is making rounds on social media days after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow, on Friday (Mar 22). What did Trump say? In the video, Trump can be heard saying “ISIS is honouring President Obama. He is the founder of ISIS. And I would say the co-founder would be crooked Hilary Clinton.” However, the clip is misleading and inaccurate as while the former president did make those remarks, he said that ahead of the 2016 presidential election, at a rally in the US state of Florida and not after the attack in Moscow which claimed at least 133 lives, including three children. The attack, which was claimed by ISIS, also left more than 150 injured. The Republican nominee, Trump, backtracked on his assertions, after repeating them over and over again in the days that followed and in a tweet said, “THEY DON’T GET SARCASM?” Also Read | Moscow concert hall attack: More than one ISIS branch likely involved in rampage, says report Notably, Trump’s comments came as he was criticising the Obama administration’s foreign policy including American troops being stationed in conflict zones, and his withdrawal of troops from Iraq. However, it was Obama’s predecessor George Bush, a Republican, who signed the Status of Forces agreement in 2008, in line with which all American troops would be required to leave Iraq by the end of 2011. Moscow terror attack On Sunday (Mar 24), Russia lowered flags to half-mast for a day of mourning after more than 130 people had been killed at a rock concert in what is being called the country’s deadliest attack inside Russia for two decades. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv hit by multiple explosions in Russian bombardment Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed that he would track down those responsible for the attack and punish them “I express my deep, sincere condolences to all those who lost their loved ones,” said the Russian president in his first address to the nation on the attack, on Saturday (Mar 23). Also Read | ‘Low-life Putin trying to shift blame’: Zelensky condemns Russia for linking Moscow attack to Ukraine ISIS has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack, however, Putin has not acknowledged it and said that the attackers have been trying to escape to Ukraine and that “some on the Ukrainian side” had prepared to spirit them across the border. Meanwhile, Kyiv has denied any role in the attack, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin a “low-life” for “trying to blame it on someone else…They always have the same methods.” (With inputs from agencies)

Did Donald Trump call Barack Obama ‘founder of ISIS’ after Moscow terror attack? Here’s the truth

Prominent evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson, who played a pivotal role in advancing the influence of the religious right in American politics, has passed away at the age of 93.

Known for his affiliation with the Republican Party, Robertson even ran for president as a Republican candidate in 1998.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-anti-gay-protests-in-los-angeles-after-school-votes-on-recognizing-june-as-pride-month-602146">Anti-gay protests in Los Angeles after school votes on recognizing June as Pride month</a>

The announcement of his death was made on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Robertson gained national prominence through his long-running talk show called The 700 Club.

This show, a unique blend of religious news, political commentary, and light entertainment, served as a platform for Robertson's views.

<h2>Founded&nbsp;Christian Coalition</h2>

Robertson founded the Christian Coalition, an organisation that became a significant player in Republican politics starting in the 1980s.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eight-children-injured-in-knife-attack-in-france-602105">Eight children injured in knife attack in France</a>

The Christian Coalition provided crucial support, both financial and organisational, to candidates who aligned with their stances on contentious social issues such as abortion, religious freedom, and traditional values.

In 1988, Robertson campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination and secured second place in the Iowa Caucuses, receiving significant backing from the state's evangelical community.

However, his campaign lost momentum after George HW&nbsp;Bush won the New Hampshire primary and eventually became the Republican nominee and president.

Despite this setback, Robertson's campaign showcased the growing influence of evangelical Christians within Republican politics. He went on to become a powerful figure in the Republican Party, wielding considerable influence as a kingmaker for several decades.

<h2>Enormous&nbsp;religion and political influence&nbsp;</h2>

According to John C. Green, a retired professor of political science at the University of Akron, Pat Robertson's influence in religious broadcasting paved the way for many others to follow.

Watch | CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht quits

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In 2021, Green stated that Robertson played a significant role in solidifying the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party in American politics.

Green further emphasised that Robertson's impact on both religion and politics in the United States was immense.

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Prominent evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson, who played a pivotal role in advancing the influence of the religious right in American politics, has passed away at the age of 93.

Prominent evangelical Christian leader Pat Robertson, who played a pivotal role in advancing the influence of the religious right in American politics, has passed away at the age of 93. Known for his affiliation with the Republican Party, Robertson even ran for president as a Republican candidate in 1998. Also Read | Anti-gay protests in Los Angeles after school votes on recognizing June as Pride month The announcement of his death was made on the Christian Broadcasting Network. Robertson gained national prominence through his long-running talk show called The 700 Club. This show, a unique blend of religious news, political commentary, and light entertainment, served as a platform for Robertson's views. Founded Christian Coalition Robertson founded the Christian Coalition, an organisation that became a significant player in Republican politics starting in the 1980s. Also Read | Eight children injured in knife attack in France The Christian Coalition provided crucial support, both financial and organisational, to candidates who aligned with their stances on contentious social issues such as abortion, religious freedom, and traditional values. In 1988, Robertson campaigned for the Republican presidential nomination and secured second place in the Iowa Caucuses, receiving significant backing from the state's evangelical community. However, his campaign lost momentum after George HW Bush won the New Hampshire primary and eventually became the Republican nominee and president. Despite this setback, Robertson's campaign showcased the growing influence of evangelical Christians within Republican politics. He went on to become a powerful figure in the Republican Party, wielding considerable influence as a kingmaker for several decades. Enormous religion and political influence According to John C. Green, a retired professor of political science at the University of Akron, Pat Robertson's influence in religious broadcasting paved the way for many others to follow. Watch | CNN Chairman and CEO Chris Licht quits × In 2021, Green stated that Robertson played a significant role in solidifying the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party in American politics. Green further emphasised that Robertson's impact on both religion and politics in the United States was immense. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Who was Pat Robertson, US broadcaster and ex-presidential candidate who died aged 93?

As the United States continues to report a rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths fuelled by the delta variant outbreak, the chief of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, has sounded alarm stating that the nation’s health systems “are in dire straits”, forcing some states to prepare for rationed medical care.

“That means that we are talking about who is going to get a ventilator, who is going to get an ICU bed,” Walensky said on CBS's ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday.

“Those are not easy discussions to have, and that is not a place we want our health care system to ever be,” she added.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-coronavirus-hospitalisations-hit-eight-month-high-over-100000-408696">&nbsp;United States coronavirus hospitalisations hit eight-month high over 100,000</a>

Idaho, among the US’s least-vaccinated states, and Alaska have already announced that they would ration medical care if needed. A major hospital in Montana has also reportedly implemented the so-called “crisis of care standards” to prioritize who is treated. Health officials have warned that such measures could be widened across the state.

Watch

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Walensky remarks come in the backdrop of&nbsp;average number of deaths climbing to 40 per cent per day over the past two weeks, from 1387 to 1947, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Reported deaths are currently highest in&nbsp;states like Florida, which is seeing an average of 376 daily deaths over the past week, and Texas, which is reporting a daily average of 283. Experts say that the vast majority of the hospitalised and dead have been unvaccinated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-cases-in-us-16-times-too-high-to-end-pandemic-says-fauci-412124">Covid cases in US 16 times too high to end pandemic, says Fauci</a>

Talking about her decision to overrule a CDC panel of advisors and extending the eligibility for third shots of the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech Covid vaccine, Walensky said, “I felt it was appropriate for those people to also be eligible for boosters," she said, while adding that it was “a scientific close call”.

The panel had last week approved boosters for those ages 65 and older, those in long-term healthcare facilities and those ages 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

The CDC chief then overruled the panel and extended the eligibility to the people who are at high risk of exposure to receive the third dose.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the United States continues to report a rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths fuelled by the delta variant outbreak, the chief of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, has sounded alarm stating that the nation’s health systems “are in dire straits”, forcing some states to prepare for rationed medical care.

As the United States continues to report a rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths fuelled by the delta variant outbreak, the chief of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rochelle Walensky, has sounded alarm stating that the nation’s health systems “are in dire straits”, forcing some states to prepare for rationed medical care. “That means that we are talking about who is going to get a ventilator, who is going to get an ICU bed,” Walensky said on CBS's ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday. “Those are not easy discussions to have, and that is not a place we want our health care system to ever be,” she added. Also read | United States coronavirus hospitalisations hit eight-month high over 100,000 Idaho, among the US’s least-vaccinated states, and Alaska have already announced that they would ration medical care if needed. A major hospital in Montana has also reportedly implemented the so-called “crisis of care standards” to prioritize who is treated. Health officials have warned that such measures could be widened across the state. Watch Walensky remarks come in the backdrop of average number of deaths climbing to 40 per cent per day over the past two weeks, from 1387 to 1947, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Reported deaths are currently highest in states like Florida, which is seeing an average of 376 daily deaths over the past week, and Texas, which is reporting a daily average of 283. Experts say that the vast majority of the hospitalised and dead have been unvaccinated. Also read | Covid cases in US 16 times too high to end pandemic, says Fauci Talking about her decision to overrule a CDC panel of advisors and extending the eligibility for third shots of the Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech Covid vaccine, Walensky said, “I felt it was appropriate for those people to also be eligible for boosters," she said, while adding that it was “a scientific close call”. The panel had last week approved boosters for those ages 65 and older, those in long-term healthcare facilities and those ages 50 to 64 with underlying medical conditions. The CDC chief then overruled the panel and extended the eligibility to the people who are at high risk of exposure to receive the third dose. (With inputs from agencies)

As delta outbreak ravages US, CDC chief says health systems ‘in dire straits'

US presidential debates 2020 - The United States presidential election is inching closer every minute, and the fierce battle between incumbent Republican Donald Trump and the Democrat rival Joe Biden is picking up pace.

Recently, Trump demanded a drug test from “sleepy Joe Biden”, claiming there is no other explanation for Biden to appear the way he does at all events. Naturally, Trump also offered to get himself tested for any drug consumption. But, it looks like none of that is on the cards.&nbsp;

US presidential debates: "No drug tests"

No drug tests have been conducted or will be conducted before the first debate between the two leaders kicks off on Tuesday. Additionally, no handshakes will be permitted, and the candidates will directly dive into the debate.

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On Monday, Trump claimed that Biden has refused to undergo drug testing. “Joe Biden just announced that he will not agree to a drug test,”&nbsp;Trump had tweeted. He topped with a classic Trump remark - “Gee! I wonder why?”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-elections-2020-biden-compares-trump-to-nazi-goebbels-ready-for-personal-attacks-330560" hreflang="en">US elections 2020: Biden compares Trump to Nazi Goebbels; ready for personal attacks</a>

A lot of the Trump campaigning has surrounded Joe Biden’s alleged drug consumption. Trump has repeatedly touted Biden as physically and mentally unfit for the presidency.&nbsp; Trump’s allies have also claimed that Biden is performing well because of performance enhancing drugs.

“He’s almost - no. I have no comment,” Biden had said while referring to the viability of a drug test.

In fact, Biden’s official campaign told Politico, “If the president thinks his best case is made in urine, he can have at it.”

The debate is set to be moderated by Fox News’ Chris Wallace.

US presidential debates: Six major points of contention

According to the Commission on Presidential Debate, six major topics will be touched upon during the first debate - COVID-19, economy, race and violence, the Supreme Court, the track records of both the candidates, and the integrity of the elections.

The debate will begin at 9 PM US Eastern Time Tuesday/6.30 AM IST Wednesday, and will last for approximately 1.5 hours.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-elections-2020-trump-mocks-joe-biden-for-staying-indoors-330381" hreflang="en">US elections 2020: Trump mocks Joe Biden for 'staying indoors'</a>

Both the contenders will make their cases at the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 90-minute debate will have no breaks for commercials, and will have six 15-minute segments each. No opening statements will be made, with the first question going to President Trump.

Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the podiums will be placed farther apart than usual, with no hand-shaking in place. CNN reported that only 60-70 people are expected to be in the live audience.

US presidential debates 2020 - The United States presidential election is inching closer every minute, and the fierce battle between incumbent Republican Donald Trump and the Democrat rival Joe Biden is picking up pace.

US presidential debates 2020 - The United States presidential election is inching closer every minute, and the fierce battle between incumbent Republican Donald Trump and the Democrat rival Joe Biden is picking up pace. Recently, Trump demanded a drug test from “sleepy Joe Biden”, claiming there is no other explanation for Biden to appear the way he does at all events. Naturally, Trump also offered to get himself tested for any drug consumption. But, it looks like none of that is on the cards. US presidential debates: "No drug tests" No drug tests have been conducted or will be conducted before the first debate between the two leaders kicks off on Tuesday. Additionally, no handshakes will be permitted, and the candidates will directly dive into the debate. On Monday, Trump claimed that Biden has refused to undergo drug testing. “Joe Biden just announced that he will not agree to a drug test,” Trump had tweeted. He topped with a classic Trump remark - “Gee! I wonder why?” Also read: US elections 2020: Biden compares Trump to Nazi Goebbels; ready for personal attacks A lot of the Trump campaigning has surrounded Joe Biden’s alleged drug consumption. Trump has repeatedly touted Biden as physically and mentally unfit for the presidency. Trump’s allies have also claimed that Biden is performing well because of performance enhancing drugs. “He’s almost - no. I have no comment,” Biden had said while referring to the viability of a drug test. In fact, Biden’s official campaign told Politico, “If the president thinks his best case is made in urine, he can have at it.” The debate is set to be moderated by Fox News’ Chris Wallace. US presidential debates: Six major points of contention According to the Commission on Presidential Debate, six major topics will be touched upon during the first debate - COVID-19, economy, race and violence, the Supreme Court, the track records of both the candidates, and the integrity of the elections. The debate will begin at 9 PM US Eastern Time Tuesday/6.30 AM IST Wednesday, and will last for approximately 1.5 hours. Also read: US elections 2020: Trump mocks Joe Biden for 'staying indoors' Both the contenders will make their cases at the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. The 90-minute debate will have no breaks for commercials, and will have six 15-minute segments each. No opening statements will be made, with the first question going to President Trump. Given the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the podiums will be placed farther apart than usual, with no hand-shaking in place. CNN reported that only 60-70 people are expected to be in the live audience.

Handshakes? Drug tests? What to expect from the first round of US presidential debates

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau will not publish economic data during the ongoing partial government shutdown, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an agency spokeswoman.

The Commerce Department releases key figures on gross domestic product, inflation, personal income and spending, trade and new home sales, much of which are closely watched by investors and policymakers.

"Due to the lapse in Congressional Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019, the US Department of Commerce is closed," a notice on the department's website said. "Commerce Department websites will not be updated until further notice."

A Commerce Department official said previously that new home sales data scheduled for release on Thursday would be postponed as long as the partial government shutdown continued.

Other data likely to be postponed include revised figures on US building permits that had been scheduled for Thursday and a report on advance economic indicators, including the goods trade balance, that had been scheduled for Friday.

The partial shutdown of the federal government was set to enter its sixth day after President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait as long as it takes to get $5 billion from taxpayers for his US-Mexico border wall.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Labor Department would continue to release the data it compiles, including new claims for jobless benefits, the monthly employment report and other inflation measures.

The Commerce Department did not respond to Reuters'&nbsp;request for comment.

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau will not publish economic data during the ongoing partial government shutdown, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an agency spokeswoman.

The US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau will not publish economic data during the ongoing partial government shutdown, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an agency spokeswoman. The Commerce Department releases key figures on gross domestic product, inflation, personal income and spending, trade and new home sales, much of which are closely watched by investors and policymakers. "Due to the lapse in Congressional Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2019, the US Department of Commerce is closed," a notice on the department's website said. "Commerce Department websites will not be updated until further notice." A Commerce Department official said previously that new home sales data scheduled for release on Thursday would be postponed as long as the partial government shutdown continued. Other data likely to be postponed include revised figures on US building permits that had been scheduled for Thursday and a report on advance economic indicators, including the goods trade balance, that had been scheduled for Friday. The partial shutdown of the federal government was set to enter its sixth day after President Donald Trump said he was prepared to wait as long as it takes to get $5 billion from taxpayers for his US-Mexico border wall. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Labor Department would continue to release the data it compiles, including new claims for jobless benefits, the monthly employment report and other inflation measures. The Commerce Department did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

US commerce department won't publish economic data during shutdown: Report

US Secy of state, Mike Pompeo on Iran Sanctions

By Scott Shackelford and Matthew Sussex

In the drumbeat of reports about Russian attempts to undermine US democratic institutions with trolls, Twitter bots and cyber attacks on congressional candidates, it is easy to forget that the problem of election security is not isolated to the United States, and extends far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines.

Consider Australia, which has been grappling with repeated Chinese attempts to interfere with its political system. One 2018 report, for example, found that the Chinese have infiltrated “every layer of Australian Government, right down to local councils.” 
 
That’s why a group of academics and policymakers from Indiana University and the Australian National University recently met to discuss how we might make democracy harder to hack. We found that we had far more to work on together than we had anticipated.

Protecting a diverse, widespread system

In the wake of the 2016 US elections, scholars, government officials and concerned citizens are debating how to mitigate the risk of foreign groups targeting the election machinery upon which democratic societies are built.

Vulnerabilities are widespread across the thousands of largely locally managed systems that together comprise US election infrastructure. These vulnerabilities include voting machines that in some cases still have no paper trails and are often running “severely outdated operating systems like Windows XP,” which has not been patched since 2014.

But that is just a taste of the parade of horribles against which people must inoculate the election system. Other risks include hacked tabulation systems, which was a major concern in the 2017 Dutch elections, as well as compromised media outlets, as in Ukraine.

What’s been done so far? 
 
Since 2016, the US government has made progress in protecting democratic institutions. In January 2017, for example, the US Department of Homeland Security reclassified elections as critical infrastructure, which has helped to focus attention on the issue. Congress has also appropriated $380 million to help speed the purchase of new, more secure voting machines.

In addition, local and state election officials have a new way to get up-to-date cyber threat information from the federal government. But further progress has stalled, including the Secure Elections Act, which would, among other things, ensure that every vote cast in the US is on a verifiable paper ballot.

What more should Americans be doing, and what can Australia teach us?

Protecting democracy down under

Threats to Australia’s democracy differ in several key respects from those facing the US. To begin with, voting is mandatory in Australia, so there aren’t thorny political battles over who is allowed to vote. The major parties also agree on electoral boundaries so as to prevent gerrymandering.

Voting itself is different, too. When Australian voters enter a booth, they use paper forms, which are tallied by hand. And the election process is overseen by a central federally mandated body, the Australian Electoral Commission. This contrasts significantly to the US, where voting processes and infrastructure are heavily privatized, using antiquated technologies, though various constituencies have experimented with different forms of electronic voting.

With centralised operations, the Australian government has more control over the voting process and less need to worry about local variations that might threaten its integrity. At the same, such centralization makes for a tempting target.

Lessons from afar

Both countries do have reasons to worry, though. Their shared concerns include manipulation of public opinion via social media; alleged foreign influence over politicians; diminished public confidence around trust, privacy and data; and overseas ownership of news outlets. Fixing these depends much more on addressing human shortcomings than vulnerabilities in digital systems or formal institutions.

Australia also recognises that political parties are potential targets – as the US found out when the Democratic National Committee’s emails were hacked in 2016 – as well as the lesser-known hack of Republican National Committee emails.

Australia is also working to reduce foreign influence in other aspects of its political and business activities. Like the US, Australia has passed tough new foreign agent registration laws with bipartisan support. It has also blocked attempts by Chinese firms to buy controlling stakes in resource companies or large amounts of agricultural and urban land. And it recently excluded the Chinese tech giant Huawei from bidding to provide an Australian 5G mobile data network, citing a potential threat to national security.

And Australia has decided to invest early to guard against future information warfare, such as micro-targeting audiences with tailor-made messaging and machine learning-enhanced deep fake videos. The country has assigned top government officials to focus on cyber threats and begun an effort to ask all citizens to improve their cybersecurity.

Protecting political parties and citizens? 
 
The US&nbsp;has not yet followed Australia’s lead in providing government cyberdefense for political parties. Other aspects of civil society are also left undefended. Hackers have stolen public servants’ data, making them vulnerable to blackmail or fraud. Think tanks and research centers, as well as businesses, have data and other documents that are tempting targets. 
 
The US&nbsp;could do more, perhaps even designating citizens themselves as critical to society and in need of government support and protection against hacking and other online threats. That would acknowledge the many efforts underway to influence voters with false and misleading information.

By taking a lead from Australia – and by learning from successes and failures there, and in other countries – the US could find ways to protect democracy at home and abroad. 
 
(Scott Shackelford is Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics, Indiana University; &nbsp;Matthew Sussex is Academic Director, National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-australia-can-help-the-us-make-democracy-harder-to-hack-102954">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

By Scott Shackelford and Matthew Sussex In the drumbeat of reports about Russian attempts to undermine US democratic institutions with trolls, Twitter bots and cyber attacks on congressional candidates, it is easy to forget that the problem of election security is not isolated to the United States, and extends far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines.

By Scott Shackelford and Matthew Sussex In the drumbeat of reports about Russian attempts to undermine US democratic institutions with trolls, Twitter bots and cyber attacks on congressional candidates, it is easy to forget that the problem of election security is not isolated to the United States, and extends far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines. Consider Australia, which has been grappling with repeated Chinese attempts to interfere with its political system. One 2018 report, for example, found that the Chinese have infiltrated “every layer of Australian Government, right down to local councils.” That’s why a group of academics and policymakers from Indiana University and the Australian National University recently met to discuss how we might make democracy harder to hack. We found that we had far more to work on together than we had anticipated. Protecting a diverse, widespread system In the wake of the 2016 US elections, scholars, government officials and concerned citizens are debating how to mitigate the risk of foreign groups targeting the election machinery upon which democratic societies are built. Vulnerabilities are widespread across the thousands of largely locally managed systems that together comprise US election infrastructure. These vulnerabilities include voting machines that in some cases still have no paper trails and are often running “severely outdated operating systems like Windows XP,” which has not been patched since 2014. But that is just a taste of the parade of horribles against which people must inoculate the election system. Other risks include hacked tabulation systems, which was a major concern in the 2017 Dutch elections, as well as compromised media outlets, as in Ukraine. What’s been done so far? Since 2016, the US government has made progress in protecting democratic institutions. In January 2017, for example, the US Department of Homeland Security reclassified elections as critical infrastructure, which has helped to focus attention on the issue. Congress has also appropriated $380 million to help speed the purchase of new, more secure voting machines. In addition, local and state election officials have a new way to get up-to-date cyber threat information from the federal government. But further progress has stalled, including the Secure Elections Act, which would, among other things, ensure that every vote cast in the US is on a verifiable paper ballot. What more should Americans be doing, and what can Australia teach us? Protecting democracy down under Threats to Australia’s democracy differ in several key respects from those facing the US. To begin with, voting is mandatory in Australia, so there aren’t thorny political battles over who is allowed to vote. The major parties also agree on electoral boundaries so as to prevent gerrymandering. Voting itself is different, too. When Australian voters enter a booth, they use paper forms, which are tallied by hand. And the election process is overseen by a central federally mandated body, the Australian Electoral Commission. This contrasts significantly to the US, where voting processes and infrastructure are heavily privatized, using antiquated technologies, though various constituencies have experimented with different forms of electronic voting. With centralised operations, the Australian government has more control over the voting process and less need to worry about local variations that might threaten its integrity. At the same, such centralization makes for a tempting target. Lessons from afar Both countries do have reasons to worry, though. Their shared concerns include manipulation of public opinion via social media; alleged foreign influence over politicians; diminished public confidence around trust, privacy and data; and overseas ownership of news outlets. Fixing these depends much more on addressing human shortcomings than vulnerabilities in digital systems or formal institutions. Australia also recognises that political parties are potential targets – as the US found out when the Democratic National Committee’s emails were hacked in 2016 – as well as the lesser-known hack of Republican National Committee emails. Australia is also working to reduce foreign influence in other aspects of its political and business activities. Like the US, Australia has passed tough new foreign agent registration laws with bipartisan support. It has also blocked attempts by Chinese firms to buy controlling stakes in resource companies or large amounts of agricultural and urban land. And it recently excluded the Chinese tech giant Huawei from bidding to provide an Australian 5G mobile data network, citing a potential threat to national security. And Australia has decided to invest early to guard against future information warfare, such as micro-targeting audiences with tailor-made messaging and machine learning-enhanced deep fake videos. The country has assigned top government officials to focus on cyber threats and begun an effort to ask all citizens to improve their cybersecurity. Protecting political parties and citizens? The US has not yet followed Australia’s lead in providing government cyberdefense for political parties. Other aspects of civil society are also left undefended. Hackers have stolen public servants’ data, making them vulnerable to blackmail or fraud. Think tanks and research centers, as well as businesses, have data and other documents that are tempting targets. The US could do more, perhaps even designating citizens themselves as critical to society and in need of government support and protection against hacking and other online threats. That would acknowledge the many efforts underway to influence voters with false and misleading information. By taking a lead from Australia – and by learning from successes and failures there, and in other countries – the US could find ways to protect democracy at home and abroad. (Scott Shackelford is Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics, Indiana University; Matthew Sussex is Academic Director, National Security College, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Australia can help the US make democracy harder to hack

The two-story brick house where Hillary Clinton grew up still stands at a street corner in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge.&nbsp;

Nearby, a sign reads &quot;Rodham Corner&quot;, an acknowledgment of the place in history occupied by this small hamlet near the city&#39;s O&#39;Hare airport.&nbsp;

It is a place that impacted and shaped a young Hillary Rodham, before she went off to college, married Bill Clinton, and became the Democratic Party&#39;s presidential nominee in 2016.&nbsp;

&quot;My childhood in the 1950s and the politics of the 1960s awakened my sense of obligation to my country and my commitment to service,&quot; Clinton wrote in her 2003 memoir &quot;Living History.&quot;

During that period after World War II, Park Ridge,a suburb that was all-white, Republican and conservative,was the center of Clinton&#39;s world.

&quot;My parents felt comfortable in Park Ridge among all the other veterans who chose it for its excellent public schools, parks, tree-lined streets, wide sidewalks and comfortable family homes,&quot; Clinton wrote.&nbsp;

As a child, she was exposed to both traditional Republican beliefs and competing viewpoints from the outside,especially from the civil rights movement.&nbsp;

&quot;My favorite memory is walking home from school with Hillary, and the many opportunities we had to talk,&quot; said Ernest Ricketts, who attended kindergarten through high school with the former secretary of state.&nbsp;

&quot;She was always very interested in current events. She was interested in history.&quot;&nbsp;

Clinton&#39;s critics often criticise her consistency on issues, saying she is a chameleon who changes her beliefs based on the prevailing political winds.&nbsp;

But her childhood in Park Ridge offers a clue into Clinton&#39;s worldview, which evolved through discussions and debates with those on both sides of the ideological spectrum.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Clinton&#39;s parents

Clinton&#39;s father Hugh Rodham was a staunch Republican. The owner of a drapery business and the product of a working-class family, he believed in small government, individual responsibility and working hard for what you get.

Clinton&#39;s mother Dorothy Rodham was a Democrat. Abandoned by her parents as a child and forced to start working at the age of 14, Dorothy instilled in Clinton empathy for people caught up in circumstances outside their control.&nbsp;

At the dinner table, Clinton&#39;s parents debated the issues, with young Hillary often politically in the middle.&nbsp;

&quot;I grew up between the push and tug of my parents&#39; values, and my own political beliefs reflect both,&quot; Clinton wrote in her memoir.&nbsp;

She admired her father&#39;s sense of &quot;rugged individualism,&quot; she told The Washington Post in 2007, during her first run for president, a primary battle she lost to Barack Obama.

&quot;But it didn&#39;t explain enough for me about the world, or the world as I would want it to be,&quot; she said. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Mother a &#39;huge influence&#39;

Clinton&#39;s mother was a voracious consumer of books, and encouraged the same intellectual curiosity in her daughter.&nbsp;

&quot;Hillary&#39;s mom was a huge influence,&quot; said Clinton&#39;s childhood friend Judy Osgood. &quot;Her mom was just always there and interested in what we were doing.&quot;&nbsp;

Clinton&#39;s parents encouraged their daughter to think beyond the narrow path young women of their time were expected to pursue.&nbsp;

She was pushed to follow her intellectual interests, as well as play sports, an endeavor dominated by boys. &nbsp;

Her mother&#39;s difficult past inspired Clinton&#39;s work as a politician. &nbsp;

&quot;Learning about my mother&#39;s childhood sparked my strong conviction that every child deserves a chance to live up to her God-given potential,&quot; Clinton said in her memoir. &nbsp;

Another big influence was her childhood minister Don Jones, who exposed Clinton to the social issues of the day &mdash; taking her and her church youth group in 1962 to hear civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Chicago.&nbsp;

&quot;He gave us a worldview that we didn&#39;t have before,&quot; Ricketts said of Jones&#39; efforts to expose Park Ridge&#39;s middle class children to the larger world. &nbsp;

Clinton maintained ties with Jones until his death in 2009, and considered him a major influence. She also still maintains contact with several of her childhood friends in Park Ridge.&nbsp;

&quot;She&#39;s very much the same person, especially with all of her high school friends,&quot; said Mike Andrews, who attended Maine South High School with Clinton.&nbsp;

But the impact of decades in the public eye, and the various controversies swirling around her including the revived FBI interest in her use of a private email server while at the State Department, have taken a toll on her image, even in the city where she grew up.

Earlier this year, in her first visit to Park Ridge in more than a decade, Clinton drew hundreds of supporters, but also some protesters.&nbsp;

&quot;Traditionally, this has been a Republican town, and there are people here who are diehard Republicans,&quot; longtime resident Teresa Nuccio told the Chicago Tribune at the time.&nbsp;

&quot;Being from Park Ridge doesn&#39;t necessarily mean everyone will support you.&quot;&nbsp;

(AFP)

Her father was a staunch Republican, her mother a Democrat abandoned by her parents as a child and forced to start working at the age of 14

The two-story brick house where Hillary Clinton grew up still stands at a street corner in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Nearby, a sign reads "Rodham Corner", an acknowledgment of the place in history occupied by this small hamlet near the city's O'Hare airport. It is a place that impacted and shaped a young Hillary Rodham, before she went off to college, married Bill Clinton, and became the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in 2016. "My childhood in the 1950s and the politics of the 1960s awakened my sense of obligation to my country and my commitment to service," Clinton wrote in her 2003 memoir "Living History." During that period after World War II, Park Ridge,a suburb that was all-white, Republican and conservative,was the center of Clinton's world. "My parents felt comfortable in Park Ridge among all the other veterans who chose it for its excellent public schools, parks, tree-lined streets, wide sidewalks and comfortable family homes," Clinton wrote. As a child, she was exposed to both traditional Republican beliefs and competing viewpoints from the outside,especially from the civil rights movement. "My favorite memory is walking home from school with Hillary, and the many opportunities we had to talk," said Ernest Ricketts, who attended kindergarten through high school with the former secretary of state. "She was always very interested in current events. She was interested in history." Clinton's critics often criticise her consistency on issues, saying she is a chameleon who changes her beliefs based on the prevailing political winds. But her childhood in Park Ridge offers a clue into Clinton's worldview, which evolved through discussions and debates with those on both sides of the ideological spectrum. Clinton's parents Clinton's father Hugh Rodham was a staunch Republican. The owner of a drapery business and the product of a working-class family, he believed in small government, individual responsibility and working hard for what you get. Clinton's mother Dorothy Rodham was a Democrat. Abandoned by her parents as a child and forced to start working at the age of 14, Dorothy instilled in Clinton empathy for people caught up in circumstances outside their control. At the dinner table, Clinton's parents debated the issues, with young Hillary often politically in the middle. "I grew up between the push and tug of my parents' values, and my own political beliefs reflect both," Clinton wrote in her memoir. She admired her father's sense of "rugged individualism," she told The Washington Post in 2007, during her first run for president, a primary battle she lost to Barack Obama. "But it didn't explain enough for me about the world, or the world as I would want it to be," she said. Mother a 'huge influence' Clinton's mother was a voracious consumer of books, and encouraged the same intellectual curiosity in her daughter. "Hillary's mom was a huge influence," said Clinton's childhood friend Judy Osgood. "Her mom was just always there and interested in what we were doing." Clinton's parents encouraged their daughter to think beyond the narrow path young women of their time were expected to pursue. She was pushed to follow her intellectual interests, as well as play sports, an endeavor dominated by boys. Her mother's difficult past inspired Clinton's work as a politician. "Learning about my mother's childhood sparked my strong conviction that every child deserves a chance to live up to her God-given potential," Clinton said in her memoir. Another big influence was her childhood minister Don Jones, who exposed Clinton to the social issues of the day — taking her and her church youth group in 1962 to hear civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Chicago. "He gave us a worldview that we didn't have before," Ricketts said of Jones' efforts to expose Park Ridge's middle class children to the larger world. Clinton maintained ties with Jones until his death in 2009, and considered him a major influence. She also still maintains contact with several of her childhood friends in Park Ridge. "She's very much the same person, especially with all of her high school friends," said Mike Andrews, who attended Maine South High School with Clinton. But the impact of decades in the public eye, and the various controversies swirling around her including the revived FBI interest in her use of a private email server while at the State Department, have taken a toll on her image, even in the city where she grew up. Earlier this year, in her first visit to Park Ridge in more than a decade, Clinton drew hundreds of supporters, but also some protesters. "Traditionally, this has been a Republican town, and there are people here who are diehard Republicans," longtime resident Teresa Nuccio told the Chicago Tribune at the time. "Being from Park Ridge doesn't necessarily mean everyone will support you." (AFP)

Hillary Clinton's childhood, and how it shaped her politics