Thumbs up to…. The first women governors ever to be elected in Virginia and New Jersey. Democrat Abigail Spanberger won the Virginia governor’s race, winning against Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Democrat Mikie Sherrill also won the New Jersey governor’s race, beating Republican Jack Ciattarelli. These wins represent what many Democratic leaders believe is a model for reversing Trump's gains by running more moderate candidates with backgrounds in national security and public service.
Thumbs up to… The Louvre thieves being caught. The Louvre thieves broke into the Galerie d’Apollon, threatening guards and drilling into display cases before escaping on scooters with eight of France's crown jewels worth an estimated $102 million. DNA samples discovered at the crime scene helped identify the subjects. Investigators found and charged four suspects. However, they believe one suspect may still be at large.
Thumbs up to… The United Nations calling for an immediate ceasefire in El Fasher in Sudan. It is the last major city in the Darfur region still under government control, and it has been under siege for more than a year. The Sudanese army has not said anything yet. The loss of El Fasher would mark a major setback for government forces and a potential turning point in the civil war that has ravaged the country since April 2023. The conflict has produced one of the “world's worst humanitarian crises,” according to the UN. This displaced more than 11.7 million people, including 4.2 million who fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.
Thumbs down to… The mayor of Uruapan, Mexico, being killed during the Day of the Dead celebration in Michoacan. Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez was known for speaking up against violence and specifically cartels. It is uncommon for politicians in Mexico to be victims of political crime violence. He was under protection since December 2024. Despite that, he continued to receive threats prior to his death for speaking up regarding his beliefs about cartels and violent crimes.
Thumbs down to… The fashion magazine “W Korea” annual breast cancer awareness charity event, “Love Your W," The event is receiving backlash for seeming more like a party than a charity event. Many have come out and criticized the event for lacking focus on the sole purpose of breast cancer awareness.
Thumbs down to… A house cleaner being fatally shot after showing up at the wrong address. Maria Florina Rios Perez was her name. She and her husband, Mauricio Velazquez, were both on scene, but Perez was the only one shot. Officers determined that they were part of a cleaning crew that had mistakenly arrived at the wrong address, but it appeared that they did not enter the home. The investigation is still ongoing.