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October 24: Justice Department Election Report and PFAS Water Estimates
In China
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited China for the first time in more than a year to inaugurate a bridge linking the countries and thank China for its support. Separately, Chinese officials urged the U.S. Treasury to reconsider proposed restrictions on American technology investment in China, arguing they would disrupt trade relations. The proposed expansion includes restrictions covering hypersonic systems.
At Six Flags
Six Flags plans to reopen its Goliath roller coaster in Georgia with seatbelts after a rider died earlier this month. Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, a 42-year-old father and educator, was thrown from his seat. The park closed the coaster after his death.
In U.S. elections
The New York Times reports that the Justice Department is intensifying efforts to intervene in the midterms, including an effort to invalidate any potential Democratic victory in Alaska’s Senate race. The newspaper says President Trump is pushing the department as Republicans face the possibility of losing control of Congress.
Meanwhile, early ballots from registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters are increasing faster than those from registered Republicans in several states. Figures reported October 23 put the nationwide early-ballot total above 23 million, including more than 1.2 million accepted in North Carolina.
In drinking water research
A study in Cell Reports Sustainability suggests common calculations may undercount PFAS concentrations in U.S. drinking water by more than half. Researchers analyzed more than 1.8 million measurement records. Their model estimated average concentrations at more than twice the level calculated when results below laboratory reporting limits were treated as zero. Those results mean concentrations cannot be reliably quantified, not that PFAS are absent. The researchers stress that their models do not directly measure those concentrations or establish additional health risks.
In Israel
Thousands rallied against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government days before an election. Opposition figures joined protesters in Tel Aviv demanding an independent inquiry into October 7.
In France
More than 400,000 people protested nationwide in a challenge to President Macron. Clashes broke out as a Paris march ended Saturday. The government accused France Unbowed and Jean-Luc Mélenchon of stoking violence. The party denied the accusation.
In Albania
Thousands gathered for another antigovernment rally. In Tirana, more than 300 protesters and police officers were injured in the fiercest clashes in days.
In Brazil
Tens of thousands rallied for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro ahead of Sunday’s presidential runoff against Flávio Bolsonaro. Polls show the candidates tied after Bolsonaro won the first round with 47 percent to Lula’s 45 percent. Nearly 159 million Brazilians are set to vote.
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