A brand new set of laws targeting crimes which have created a “sense of social anxiety” amongst Californians reflect support for tougher sentences after a decade of loosening penalties. But experts say they don’t signal a return to “tough crime.” Politics of past many years.

RELATED: Prop. 36: What to expect immediately from California's recent crime law

The laws, which come into effect on New Year's Day, will crack down on property crime, retail theft and other crimes. Some will allow prosecutors to impose recent sentencing enhancements for certain varieties of retail theft or expand laws that expand the definition of organized retail theft that was previously slated to be eliminated. Others are introducing recent regulations geared toward curbing online sales of stolen goods or attempts to return stolen goods to stores for a fee.

Experts say the laws passed in 2024 represent a slight shift from a recent give attention to reducing incarceration but is not going to push California back to its tougher policies of the Nineteen Eighties. Rather, they are saying the changes reflect popular support for harsher punishments.

“We were going through a period of reform in which the state was sort of moving away from decades of commitment to intensive incarceration,” said Jonathan Simon, a criminal justice professor at UC Berkeley Law. “It is not clear whether what we are experiencing is the end of this reform period.”

In August, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 10 of those bills — lots of which were written in collaboration with major retailers — and said Californians' concerns about organized retail theft were “front and center.”

“Public opinion has changed,” said Garrick Percival, a political science professor at San Jose State. “Although I think it's important not to read too much into the change, because I think there's still a lot of evidence that the public supports rehabilitation programs and is not in favor of expanding some kind of mass incarceration, as the state has been doing since.” practiced for a few years. It’s sort of a corrective.”

Simon said many recent laws are “redrawing the line” on existing offenses, which have recently been linked to a brand new “sense of social anxiety”. He added that most of the laws would initially apply to “a relatively limited number of cases.”

Many retail theft laws give attention to prosecuting these crimes, including recent sentencing provisions for lighting fires to facilitate retail theft (SB 1242, introduced by State Senator Dave Min) and sentencing enhancements for returning, exchanging or selling stolen goods (SB 1416 , introduced by State Senator Josh Newman) and for retail theft of greater than $50,000 (AB 1960, introduced by Representative Robert). Rivas).

The consequences of the brand new laws would rely upon whether law enforcement officials make more arrests based on the laws and the way often prosecutors charge crimes, Percival said.

Prosecutors “still have a lot of discretion in charging criminals,” he said. “I think the most likely outcome is that these (laws) will be applied differently depending on what county you are in.”

AB 1779, introduced by Rep. Jacqui Irwin, allows prosecutors to consolidate theft charges from different counties into one case, provided each county's district attorney agrees. Another recent law, AB 1802, indefinitely extends the crime of organized retail theft, which previously had an expiration date of early 2026. The same bill also expands a California Highway Patrol task force dedicated to analyzing organized retail theft and vehicle theft.

Another law, AB 1972, allows for the expansion of the CHP Property Crimes Task Force to also analyze railroad and freight theft.

Legislation introduced by State Senator Nancy Skinner (SB 1144) requires online marketplaces to ascertain policies prohibiting the sale of stolen goods and to notify California law enforcement of anyone believed to be attempting to sell stolen goods to California residents sell.

Other laws give attention to enforcement to scale back retail theft.

AB 2943, introduced by Reps. Rick Chavez Zbur and Robert Rivas, would allow police to make shoplifting arrests and not using a warrant if the officers didn’t witness the crime, so long as they’ll provide probable cause. It also expands the definition of what constitutes “related acts” to fulfill the edge at which someone will be charged with grand theft.

Because officers can now make arrests based on a witness's testimony, the change “will almost certainly increase the potential number of people arrested,” Simon said.

Percival explained that the length of the sentence was not the largest deterrent factor, but quite the “likelihood of being caught in the act.” This implies that laws to expand police enforcement could potentially help reduce the number of individuals attempting retail theft.

Higher penalties for some crimes could even have an “indirect effect” on police behavior when making arrests in the event that they knew someone was more prone to be charged with against the law, he said. Then “they may be more willing to make an arrest, whereas before they may not have done so.”

Another law, AB 3209, allows courts to issue orders prohibiting people convicted of theft or vandalism of a retail store or of assaulting a retail worker from returning to the retail store and face punishment for violations of that order Prison sentence of as much as six months.

Beyond retail theft, other criminal laws also give attention to vehicles. A brand new law introduced by State Senator Scott Wiener eliminates the so-called “door lock,” which makes it against the law to force entry right into a vehicle with the intent to commit theft.

“It’s a little early to know what impact it will have, not just on the number of arrests but on crime overall,” Percival said.

Originally published: December 31, 2024 at 11:20 am PST

Like a technique actor who harnesses the matrix of memories and experiences that shape his emotional terrain, Gregory Porter returns again and again to his mother's love of musical inspiration.

A soulful singer and songwriter who has won two Grammy Awards, he’s the proud bearer of a lineage that stretches from Nat “King” Cole and Ray Charles to Lou Rawls and Donny Hathaway. Although deeply rooted within the jazz tradition, he has gained a following far beyond the jazz scene through seven albums and collaborations with artists corresponding to DJ and producer Moby, pianist and actor Jeff Goldblum and British singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding.

A songwriter who loved to speak about his craft, Porter has often spoken about how his mother's unwavering belief in his talent sustained him in his early years.

“I don't want to wear down the thought of my mother's strength, but I don't care if I do,” Porter, 53, said in a recent video call from his home in Bakersfield, town where he was single His mother, an ordained minister, raised him and his seven siblings.

He performs on the Paramount Theater in Oakland on December eighth a concert presented by SFJAZZ, and while he’ll record songs from him 2023 album “Christmas Wish” his repertoire spans your complete discography. To tell a bigger story about perseverance, spiritual healing and the enduring power of affection, Porter draws on the stories he heard “when he sat in the first pew where my mother preached,” he said.

“There is a consistent message in my music, and I weave the Christmas songs thematically in such a way that you can see the connection. There's a freshness, energy and consistency to the songs and I don't want there to be a disconnect. I want to experience a soulful jazz Christmas together with my soulful jazz.”

The power of Porter's message comes from his warm, powerful baritone and saintly delivery, but is enhanced by his commanding presence. Before deciding to concentrate on singing, he played lineman for the Aztecs at San Diego State. The combination of tenacity and tenderness, sensitivity and strength, gives his music a generosity that evokes the wonder of childhood and the complexity of maturity.

His muse appears in evoking scenes and feelings from his youth, “when life was so extraordinary, dynamic and interesting,” he said. “My mother believed in me more than I believed in myself, and I always think back on these stories and find them to be the most profound experiences of my life. The lyrics that come out of it are my strongest songs.”

And there are other artists who’ve found a deep connection to his material. On her extraordinary 2022 album “Ghost Song,” Cécile McLorin paired Salvant Porter’s “No Love Dying” with “Optimistic Voices,” a then-little-known song from “The Wizard of Oz” with lyrics by Yip Harburg and music by Harold Arlen and Herbert Stothart.

Porter's interests are diverse. During the pandemic he created a cooking show, “The PorterHouse with Gregory Porter” which was presented by Citi and ran for six episodes. He saw the project as a chance to inform “part of my origin story around my mother’s kitchen table,” he said.

“I helped prepare meals for the large family of eight children, five boys and three girls. I would spend special time with mom because she would be there. And before I made music, I had a catering business and worked in a few kitchens in New York and California.”

He also began a podcast called “The Hang with Gregory Porter,” which features his conversations with other musicians. In the primary episode, he sat down with one in all his heroes, Earth, Wind and Fire's Philip Bailey.

“It was a way to talk to someone during our lonely Covid time when we didn’t know if music would come back,” he said. “I just wanted to talk to artists, find out how they came about and find out if they were similar to mine.”

Porter's pedigree as a bandleader is obvious each time he performs, as his quintet includes pianist Chip Crawford and drummer Emanuel Harrold, players who’ve worked with him for the reason that release of his debut album, Water, on Motéma Music in 2010. After experiences with musicians who showed little interest within the stories behind his songs, he found a team that encouraged and embraced his message.

“I realized you shouldn’t try to be someone else,” he said. “I realized where I come from, what my roots are, that’s how I connect with other people.”

Porter enjoys his mother's love and is a jazz singer for all seasons.

Gregory Porter

When: December eighth, 7 p.m

Where: Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland; presented by SFJAZZ

Tickets: $65-$160; www.sfjazz.org

Other speakers included Michael Kratsios, who served because the U.S. chief technology officer through the Trump administration; Michael Bronstein, DeepMind Professor of AI on the University of Oxford; Dame Wendy Hall DBE, Professor of Computer Science and Member of the United Nations High-Level Advisory Panel on Artificial Intelligence; and Baroness Joanna Shields, OBE, who served as Britain's cyber security minister under David Cameron and Theresa May. Executives from Google, TikTok, OpenAI and other technology firms were also present.

GenAI explains

As a reminder, generative AI (or GenAI) is artificial intelligence that may create “original” content, including text, images, video, audio and software code, in response to a prompt or query entered by a human. It has been around for a couple of years but has gained traction lately because of major players like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft and Meta who’re putting huge resources into GenAI development. I put the unique in quotes because although the AI ​​model generates the content, it is predicated on training data it receives online and from other sources. So although the wording is original, the knowledge comes from many other places. Of course, this also applies to content created by humans, but reputable journalists and scientists normally cite their sources, which shouldn’t be necessarily the case with AI systems.

Regulation is vital

My panel focused on AI regulations. I used to be joined by Markus Anderljung from the Center for the Governance of AI, Rafaela Nicolazzi from OpenAI, Joslyn Barnhart, senior research scientist at Google DeepMind, and moderator Keegan McBride from the Oxford Internet Institute.

My panel and other speakers agreed almost unanimously that regulation of AI is inevitable and vital. Most people looked as if it would agree with my comment that regulation needs to be targeted and nuanced to forestall negative consequences while not harming the potential positive points of generative AI, which continues to be in its infancy, a minimum of so far as mainstream products are concerned. It should concentrate on actual damages and be flexible enough to accommodate inevitable technological changes. As we’ve got seen over the past few many years, the technology industry is evolving faster than governments. Therefore, it is crucial that governments provide general guidelines without attempting to manage the technology in every detail.

There is a risk that jurisdictions will adopt contradictory laws

Some speakers frightened loudly concerning the balkanization of AI regulation, as several countries and U.S. states are considering or adopting laws that sometimes conflict with regulations in other jurisdictions.

In an interview on the conference, Linda Lurie, who worked within the Biden White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and now works at Westexec Advisors, told me: “What will happen is that every company with a presence will have to do this. “follow the strictest regulations, which is somehow unfair and undemocratic.” She argued that many jurisdictions have already got laws in place that may protect against misuse of AI. “We don’t need to put an AI stamp on every other law in a country. Make sure you know what is currently on the books to identify the gaps and do this at a harmonized level. This includes contributions from both governments, but also from companies and civil society. Only then will you be able to achieve real regulation that is effective and doesn’t kill AI.”

Risks

Numerous people have expressed concern that giant firms, based largely within the United States, are dominating generative AI in a way that would exclude other countries, particularly in Africa, Latin America and other regions where the economy and the technical infrastructure shouldn’t be so developed. They exist within the USA, Great Britain and enormous parts of Europe.

The risks lie not only in these regions being excluded from any economic and social advantages from GenAI, but additionally within the biases that could be built into AI models, particularly those based on web data, largely from wealthier countries and dominant groups in these countries. Don't just take my word for it. ChatGPT itself admits: “Countries with less internet infrastructure or lower rates of digital content creation (e.g. in media, academia, or user-generated platforms) contribute less to the training datasets of AI models.” I assume I'd be glad to see that even a bot could be self-critical when confronted with the query of its own potential bias.

optimism

Most speakers expressed cautious optimism. A British politician spoke about how generative AI will help level the playing field not just for adults, but additionally for young people. When I asked if she feared large firms would dominate generative AI due to their power over social media, search and other points of the web, she expressed hope that regulations could prevent that. I hope she's right, but I'm not convinced.

Although many participants and speakers expressed concerns about negative consequences, including employment disruption, bias, misinformation, deep fakes, privacy and security issues, lack of accountability, and mental property disputes, nearly everyone agreed that generative AI offers tremendous advantages and potential to humanity can economic growth.

Oxford Ph.D. Student Nathan Davies, who moderated the event's panel discussions, said: “It's rare that policymakers, academics and business people come together in one place.”

Although there have been expected disagreements, I used to be left with a powerful sense of hope around some shared values, which is impressive considering conference attendees ranged from Donald Trump's former CTO to current Labor MPs.

After the conference, I walked across the campus, which is greater than 1,000 years old. I'm sure its founders had no idea about artificial intelligence, but they helped lay the muse for the advancement of human intelligence that led us to this place.

Originally published: October 24, 2024 at 8:00 am

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Sara Ramirez, 49; Chris Tucker, 53; Zack Ward, 54; Richard Gere, 75.

Happy birthday: Take precautions, exercise discipline, and do whatever makes your life easier. Excess and impulses are the enemy, and learning and positive lifestyle adjustments are the technique to a greater future. Don't limit your options as you add higher decisions to your life to attain higher results. Focus on what is feasible and let go of lofty alternatives, temptations, and people who find themselves a foul influence. Your numbers are 8, 16, 21, 27, 30, 35, 42.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Look at the chances and do something you enjoy. An unexpected opportunity results in adventure and the prospect to try something that may change the best way you think that and what you do next. Follow your instincts, seek advice from experts and begin something that may improve your life. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Stay inside your limits. If you speak your mind, you’ll regret the final result. Wait and let everyone fend for themselves. Focus on keeping the peace and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Take care of unfinished business and avoid paying unnecessary fees. Don't ignore insecurity; it’s a warning sign. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20): Stay near home or visit a spot where you are feeling comfortable. An event that offers you a break from the stresses of on a regular basis life is the most effective treatment for what ails you. Don't let uncertainty overwhelm you. Distancing yourself from situations gives you a greater perspective. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21 – July 22): Avoid ruminating on unnecessary changes. Enjoy the moment and live it. Be grateful for what you’ve got; don't feel like you’ve got to meet another person's dream. Lighten the load as a substitute of adding increasingly to your to-do list. Stick to the foundations and maintain what's left. 3 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Get along with friends or do something with family. The information you gather will enable you make financial decisions and encourage you to avoid wasting safely or construct equity. Charity begins at home, so don't be hasty in investing in other people's wishes. Love and romance are a priority. 3 stars

VIRGO (August 23-September 22): Don't let impulses guide you when communicating with institutions or making medical or financial decisions. Pay attention to details and leave it alone if something doesn't feel right. Be careful along with your time and budget and don't share personal information or intentions without good reason. Scams are common. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Connect with individuals who can contribute. Attend a gathering, seminar or conference that motivates you to expand your horizons and use your skills in recent ways. Promoting what you’ve got to supply will make you a trailblazer and a go-to person. A passionate plea will bring results. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Keep an open mind, listen, and use all information to your advantage. Avoid pressure tactics and folks who wish to make the most of you. Keep your assets under lock and key and your thoughts and intentions secret. Personal growth is the technique to a greater future. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Enjoy conversations stuffed with exciting information that may open up recent opportunities. Meet up with someone you haven't seen in an extended time or travel to a spot that may enable you put your life in perspective and encourage positive lifestyle changes. Romance is better off. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Create a financial statement or budget to trace your goals. You can achieve your goals for those who are organized and use common sense. A change will enable you put your life and aspirations in perspective and encourage you to place yourself first. Trust your instincts. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18): Impatience will set you back for those who spend money in a rush. Don't let your emotions result in problems or guarantees you don't wish to keep. Set boundaries and a budget before you get right into a situation that moves too fast to manage. Know your limits and follow your plan. 3 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Don't feel bad about holding back and just watching. It's in your best interest to avoid something you already know little about or don’t have any control over. What you observe will give you enough learning experience. Relax and use your right to say no. 3 stars

Birthday child: You are proactive, friendly and generous. You are impatient and indecisive.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you may achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start recent projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

Over the past 4 years, Congress and state governments have worked hard to forestall the aftermath of the 2024 election from spiraling into the identical chaos and threats to democracy that surrounded the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

A brand new federal law eliminates ambiguities that could lead on to election manipulation. New state laws Measures have been enacted across the country to guard poll staff from threats and harassment, and technology experts are working to combat disinformation campaigns and vulnerabilities in voting systems.

But all these improvements don’t affect the essential structure of the presidential elections – the Electoral College.

Here is a fast refresher on how the system works today:

After residents vote within the presidential elections in November, the structure will gives the electors the duty of electing the president and vp. Electors are allocated based on the variety of congressmen and senators from each state. The electors meet of their respective state capitals in December to solid their votes. The ballots are then counted by the vp in front of the congressmen on January 6 to find out which ticket won the bulk.

The diverse Advantages and downsides of the electoral college have been discussed and presented at length. But there’s one other problem that few have recognized: the Electoral College makes American democracy more vulnerable to individuals with malicious intent.

A state-centered system

The Electoral College's original brilliance has turn into certainly one of its best weaknesses. The unusual system was conceived on the 1787 Constitutional Convention as a compromise that emphasized representation of the states' interests. That emphasis helped win over reluctant delegates who feared that essentially the most populous states would ignore the concerns of small states.

Today, almost every state awards all of its electoral votes to the candidate who receives essentially the most votes within the state. Even if a candidate receives 51% of the vote, the appliance of the winner-take-all rule in these states signifies that she or he is awarded 100% of the electoral votes.

This results in the phenomenon of “swing states”: presidential candidates focus their rallies, promoting and public relations on the few states where campaigns could actually make the difference. In 2020, 77% of all Campaign ads were only shown in six states during which only 21% of the country’s population lived.

In this manner, the Electoral College system focuses the campaign's attention on issues that would make the difference in these hotbeds of competition.

A guide to bad behavior

In this manner, the system essentially identifies the states where malicious individuals in search of to govern or undermine the election consequence should focus their energy. The few swing states are efficient targets for malicious efforts that will otherwise not have much success with election tampering.

Someone in search of to subvert the electoral system could have a tough time causing problems in a national popular vote, since it is determined by hundreds of separate local jurisdictions. In the Electoral College, against this, it is simple to cause mischief by interfering in only a couple of states which can be widely considered to be crucial.

In 2020, the lawsuits, hacking, alternate electors, recounts and other challenges didn’t goal states that some viewed as less secure because that they had less stringent voter ID laws or less stringent voter signature requirements. Nor did opponents of the outcomes goal states like California and Texas, which make up a big share of the nation's electorate.

Rather, all of the firepower was focused on about half a dozen swing states. According to 1 account, there have been 82 lawsuits filed in the times following the 2020 presidential electionof which 77 targeted six swing states. “Fake Elector” programs Only in seven swing states did disputes arise during which supporters of Donald Trump presented unofficial electoral lists.

The alternative of a referendum

A majority of Americans say in surveys They prefer to abolish the Electoral College system and easily give the presidency to the one that receives essentially the most votes nationwide.

Abolishing the Electoral College would have quite a few consequences, nevertheless it would immediately eliminate the power to govern elections through swing states. An in depth election in Arizona or Pennsylvania would now not have the ability to overturn the national consequence.

Any electoral system that doesn’t depend on states because the pieces of the voting puzzle would eliminate such possibilities. It could also greatly reduce disputes over recounts and suspicions about late-night vote counts, long lines, and faulty voting machines, as these local concerns could be overshadowed by the statewide vote totals.

Although not without their very own worriesan agreement between the States, award their electoral votes to the winner of the favored vote might be essentially the most practical approach to moving to a referendum, amongst other things since it doesn’t Adoption of an amendment to the Constitution.

There isn’t any ideal method to conduct a presidential election. The Electoral College has survived in its current form for nearly two centuries – a remarkable achievement for democracy. But in an era when intense control by a couple of states is the norm, the system also provides opportunities for individuals who need to harm democracy.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Hayden Panettiere, 35; Usain Bolt, 38; Carrie-Anne Moss, 57; Kim Cattrall, 68.

Happy birthday: Get involved, educate yourself, and consider the chances. Slow down and don't be pressured by what others are doing. Focus in your work ethic, positive changes, and use what already works so that you can improve your lifestyle, friendships, and prospects. Wait when organizations or people attempt to benefit from you. Replace your spending habits with a solid savings plan. Your numbers are 4, 12, 24, 28, 31, 42, 47.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Make subtle changes to avoid disruption. Keeping your life easy and free from individuals who are inclined to overreact or attempt to take control will aid you achieve what you wish without being punished or suffering losses. Don't let the changes around you trick you into making hasty decisions. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Listen to your intuition and check your feelings. Be polite, but ask direct questions. You can't afford to let anyone benefit from you or be misled into pondering the whole lot is high-quality when it isn't. Play down the concept that spending will aid you win recognition or favors. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): There could also be changes in the celebrities, but you’ve gotten a couple of alternative, and never all of them will likely be the identical. When doubtful, seek expert advice, but only act when it's value it. With increasingly options coming your way, you’ve gotten more time than you’re thinking that. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21 – July 22): Someone in authority will notice while you let your imagination run wild. The more creative you’re, the simpler it would be for you to realize access to people, information and prospects that may aid you achieve your dreams, hopes and desires. Live within the here and now and do things your way. 5 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Don't buy anything you don't understand much about. Instead of following the gang or taking over unnecessary burdens, depend on intelligence and customary sense. See the massive picture and avoid dangerous ventures or events. Let the dust settle. 3 stars

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Focus in your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Release your energy by doing activities, meditation, or projects that bring you peace and aid you be thankful for what you’ve gotten as a substitute of resenting what you don't. Attitude is a alternative. 3 stars

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22): Enjoy your surroundings, whether it's walking around your neighborhood or taking a visit to an unfamiliar place. Expose yourself to something recent that inspires you to learn or change your life path. Connect with individuals who share your enthusiasm and interests. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You may not like change, but it’s essential to embrace it. The impact of trying something recent will increase your curiosity and encourage you to take your skills, experiences, and desires to recent levels. Unleash your talents and embark on a path that results in recent beginnings. 5 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Take the time to listen before revealing your thoughts and feelings. Knowing what others want or need will aid you tailor your words to the situation and get the most effective results. Arguing is a waste of time; incentives will aid you get your way. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19): Making lifestyle changes toward health and fitness will likely be difficult, but additionally uplifting for those who follow through. Nothing value doing is straightforward, however the labor you set in and the advantages you reap will result in unusual and exciting connections, pastimes, and rewards. Romance is favored. 4 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18): Being in a position to make your space functional will make you approach tasks and responsibilities with enthusiasm. Combine something you enjoy doing with someone you enjoy being with and also you'll get a greater idea of ​​what you desire to accomplish. Follow your heart. 3 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Stick to the facts or someone will query your credibility. Gaining support requires sincerity, evidence and trust. Discipline and an excellent work ethic set an example and make sure that you attract helpers who consider in your plan and need to be a part of it. 3 stars

Birthday boy or girl: You are engaging, informative and sociable. You are unpredictable and steadfast.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you may achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start recent projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Vera Farmiga, 51; Geri Halliwell, 52; M. Night Shyamalan, 54; Michelle Yeoh, 62.

Happy birthday: Keep your money and secure what's necessary. Many opportunities can be found to you this 12 months, but before you overdo it, consider what's crucial and make decisions that can improve your lifestyle without draining your checking account. Smart decisions gives you peace of mind and more time to enjoy life and your family members. Focus on learning, staying up thus far and marketing yourself successfully. Your numbers are 4, 11, 17, 26, 32, 35, 43.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Be cautious in your interactions with colleagues. Listen, evaluate, and consider your next move. A well-thought-out strategy is important to outmaneuver anyone who might get in your way. Base your plans on what is offered to you. Privacy and secrecy are in your best interest. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): Take charge and initiate the changes that can improve your life. Participate in events or activities that can aid you get ahead or introduce you to lifestyle changes that can enrich your life and encourage savings. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20): Take more time to think about the choices. If you act swiftly, you’ll make a mistake. Focusing your energy on checking out what is offered and possible will aid you avoid criticism and private setbacks. Consider uncertainty a warning sign, stay calm and breathe easily. 2 stars

CANCER (June 21 – July 22): You can sneak anything. Advertise what you must achieve, ask for help, and prepare for the ascension. Emotional situations require honesty so you’ll be able to resolve who to share your secrets or personal information with. Romance is on the rise. 4 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): Invest more time in updating and ensuring you could have the talents and resources needed to realize your goals. Don't depend on others to do the be just right for you. Practical work is the most effective technique to achieve your goals in a timely manner. 3 stars

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Reject any emotional burden imposed on you from the surface. Focus on getting things done on time and being responsible and precise. Be aware of what others expect of you. Make changes over time. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Learn from experiences and situations that require practical help. Take care of meaningful relationships first to avoid emotional consequences. Taking someone without any consideration will lead to some extent of no return. Set priorities, high standards and bounds. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Trust your judgment regarding your skilled repute. Be forthcoming, but share only what’s crucial. Compliments and charm will aid you avoid tricky questions that might jeopardize your goal. Take time to do something you discover soothing or relaxing. 4 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Gullibility will probably be your downfall. Don't give anyone the advantage of the doubt. Clarity is crucial to avoid being taken advantage of or misled. Applying minimalism in every aspect of your life will aid you clear your mind. 2 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): You have what it takes to get things done. Seize the moment and move forward with confidence, skill and a smile. Surround yourself with individuals who can contribute something useful and don't be afraid to tackle a leadership role. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18): Protect your possessions and work on meaningful relationships. Consider what you could have available and the way much effort it can take to make your life easier. Set a budget and deadline to make sure success. Try to cut back stress and liberate time to do what makes you blissful. 3 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Simplify your life, relationships, and goals. Adjust your mindset to make sure higher health, emotional well-being, and private growth. Avoid situations that tempt you to disregard what's necessary and provides in to bad behavior. Choose your folks properly. 3 stars

Birthday child: You are thorough, flexible and original. You are sensitive and reliable.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you may achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start recent projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com or follow Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Lolo Jones, 42; Jesse Williams, 43; Jonathan Silverman, 58; Maureen McCormick, 68.

Happy birthday: Follow your passion and pursue your dreams. Take the chance to maneuver forward with a free spirit. Devote more time to developing what excites you and entertain those that can assist you to achieve your goal this yr. Focus on what is essential to you and eliminate any ideas that suggest you waste time on unimportant things or unnecessary changes. Live, learn and follow the trail that gives you creative freedom. Your numbers are 6, 14, 21, 28, 34, 37, 49.

ARIES (March 21 – April 19): Take pride in what you do. Someone who can support your interests will recognize and reward your ingenuity. Step out of your comfort zone and step into the highlight. This will change the best way you’re perceived. Stop putting things off and switch your good intentions into concrete actions. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20 – May 20): There's no must reinvent yourself. Be resourceful and draw on basic skills you are taking without any consideration, and also you'll find your comfort zone and your highlight. Personal improvement, fitness, and mental growth will result in latest friendships. Initiate changes that meet your needs. 5 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Give yourself a kickstart and boost your pursuit of health and fitness. Participation will work to your advantage and put you in contact with individuals who stimulate your spirit and encourage you to feel and appear your best. Stick to the principles. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Set your ultimate goal and give attention to ending what you began. Choose a cheap route and use your savings to treat yourself to something you wish. A conversation will encourage change; make certain it's what you wish before investing time or money you may't spare. 3 stars

LEO (July 23 – August 22): You can dream as much as you wish, but you need to be willing to speculate effort and time to reap the rewards of your dreams. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude will create momentum that provides you with the means to attain your goal. 3 stars

VIRGO (August 23 – September 22): Embrace what’s obligatory and leave it behind. The more time you spend having fun with the wonders around you, the less stress you’ll feel and the more grateful you’ll grow to be. A peaceful attitude will make it easier so that you can distance yourself from toxic situations. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Focus on giving, investing, and saving. Look for changes that may reduce your overhead costs, and be quick to refuse to pay for something you don't need. Advocate to make certain you get the service you deserve. Be resourceful and willing to place in the trouble to succeed. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay less attention to trivial matters and more to the experiences and projects that move you emotionally. An outlet that calms the soul will assist you to see what is essential and easy methods to adjust your schedule to feel more comfortable. Don't wait; let things occur. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21): Stay calm, assess your situation, ask questions and search for and use the perfect opportunity. Trust your instincts, not what someone wants you to consider. Don't hand over and don't let yourself be defeated. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19): Deal with uncertainty by implementing a backup plan. Don't leave anything undone or let another person determine. Don't be afraid to take an unknown path; it would have advantages that may solve an impending emotional, health, or financial problem. Being smart can pay off. 5 stars

AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18): Stop putting things off; take the obligatory steps to search out your completely happy place. Changes you make in your personal life will please you and those that will probably be affected by the outcomes. An emotional situation will assist you to determine the next move. Don't get indignant; adapt and move forward. 3 stars

PISCES (February 19 – March 20): Take a break, give yourself time and space to think and consider what you’ll do next. Don't let anyone talk you into something that feels unsafe or mistaken. When unsure, sit back and grow to be a spectator. Be patient and value personal growth. 3 stars

Birthday boy or girl: You are opportunity-oriented, friendly and revolutionary. You are tireless and inspiring.

1 star: Avoid conflicts, work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can achieve something, but don't depend on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll achieve your goals. 4 stars: Set high goals, start latest projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you, aim for gold.

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politics

NEW YORK (AP) — This has been a Republican scaremongering tactic for years.

A vote for re-election President Joe BidenThe Republican Party often accuses it of being a vote for Vice President Kamala HarrisIt is a line of attack that sometimes has a touch of racist and misogynistic undertones and sometimes macabre imagery.

But after Biden’s miserable performance within the presidential debate last weekwhich has sparked Democratic calls for his resignation, what was once dismissed as a far-right conspiracy – Harris replacing Biden – may now have a likelihood of becoming a reality. And Republicans, including Donald Trumpintensify their attacks.

Trump and his allies have rolled out latest lines of attack against Harris, insulting her abilities, portraying her as Biden's top supporter and accusing her of involvement in covering up his health – an effort, campaign officials say, that doesn’t reflect their concerns a couple of potential change at the highest of the ticket as Biden insists he is just not dropping out of the race.

But in an Independence Day post on his website Truth Social on Thursday, Trump singled out Harris, calling her his “potential new Democratic challenger” and giving her a brand new derisive nickname: “Laffin' Kamala Harris.”

“She did poorly in the Democratic nomination process, starting out as a No. 2 seed and ultimately losing before she even reached Iowa. But that doesn't mean she isn't a 'highly talented' politician! Just ask her mentor, the great Willie Brown of San Francisco,” he wrote. (Harris dated Brown within the mid-Nineties.)

The post got here after Trump campaign senior advisers Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles released an announcement earlier this week using a special but similar nickname, referring to her as Biden's “giggling co-pilot Kamala Harris.”

Trump also released a profanity-laced video, first reported by the Daily Beast, by which he’s seen on the golf course calling Biden an “old, broken piece of crap” and declaring that he knocked the president out of the race. (Trump has repeatedly said in interviews that he didn’t expect Biden to be dismissed.)

“He's giving up the race,” Trump said. “And that means we have Kamala. I think she's going to be better. She's so bad. She's so pathetic,” he said.

Allies also joined within the attacks, portraying Harris as the highest defender of Biden's abilities and accusing her of lying to the American public.

Biden, the White House and his campaign insist he has no plans to drop out of the race. In an interview with ABC News that aired Friday night, he said only “the Lord Almighty” could knock him out of the race.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pushed back against the tone of the attacks against Harris, particularly Trump's decision to deal with a decades-old relationship and use other sexist rhetoric.

“I find that disgusting, I find that disturbing,” Jean-Pierre told reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday. “She should be respected in her role as vice president. She should be respected like every other vice president before her who has been in this room. It's appalling – I'll be careful here – that a former president would say something like that about a current vice president. And we should denounce that – that's not OK.”

It stays unclear how Harris would fare against Trump in comparison with Biden. Replacing a candidate so late in a presidential cycle – let alone an incumbent president who has already swept the Democratic Party primaries – can be unprecedented in modern history, and the mechanics are complicated and potentially messy.

Polls show Harris's approval rankings are just like those of Biden and Trump. A June AP-NORC poll found that about 4 in 10 Americans have a good opinion of her. However, the share who’ve an unfavorable opinion is barely lower than for Trump and Biden, and about 1 in 10 still has no opinion of her.

Harris, 59, can be a stark generational contrast to Trump, who’s 78 and in addition showing signs of age. As the primary woman, first Black person and first person of South Asian descent to function vice chairman, she would even be a potentially groundbreaking candidate who could win support from women, minority voters and younger people – groups with whom Trump has tried to make significant inroads.

Harris has also been the Biden administration's leading voice on abortion rights, a key issue for Democrats because the overturning of Roe v. Wade, which could again boost voter turnout this fall.

Trump's campaign team, nonetheless, said it was confident in Trump's probabilities no matter his opponent, and rejected the concept Harris could pose a greater challenge to Trump, saying she is a more polarizing figure than the president.

“President Trump will beat every Democrat on November 5 because he has a proven track record and a goal to Make America Great Again,” LaCivita and Wiles said of their statement.

One campaign official said the deal with Harris was more a mirrored image of the present media deal with the Democratic nomination slate than a belief that she would ultimately replace Biden.

While the party has loads of research on the opposition because of Harris' 2020 campaign and her years as vice chairman, ultimately, they argue, Biden's record is Harris's record, and if she were to switch Biden, Trump's advisers wouldn’t be facing a wholly different race.

Harris, for instance, was tapped by Biden to guide the administration's response to the basis causes of the border crisis, which ties them to one among his weakest issues. And if he does indeed drop out, they argue, voters will now not give you the option to trust the administration, Harris and the press for not bringing Biden's weaknesses to light sooner.

“The economy is still the economy, the border is still the border, there are still global conflicts,” said Trump campaign spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez. “And changing the person at the top of the ballot does not change those realities for the American voters.”