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Written by Ivan Pentchoukov,
U.S. National Editor

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People at a rally held by former President Donald Trump, in Butler Township, Pa., on Oct. 5, 2024. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

By Janice Hisle and Savannah Hulsey Pointer—reporting on former President Donald Trump’s campaign for the 2024 general election ballot and related issues.

Former President Donald Trump spoke on stage in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, returning to the place where he survived an assassination attempt on July 13 this year.

Roughly 45 minutes into the speech, Trump invited billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on stage. Musk urged the crowd and the audience watching to register to vote. He cautioned that this year will be “the last election” if people don’t take the step.

“Nothing is more important,” Musk said.

The former president, who is in the final stretch of his second bid to regain the White House, had vowed to come back to Butler shortly after narrowly avoiding a direct hit from a bullet; it pierced his right ear.

“The love that he showed on that day and throughout his life is the love that sustains the entire movement, love that our families have, and it’s love of our communities and love of our country,” Trump said of Comperatore, who leapt to shield his family when the shots ran out.

At the July 13 rally, an estimated 15,000 people waited in scorching heat for hours. Trump had only spoken for a few minutes before the shots rang out, bringing the rally to an abrupt end.

The U.S. Secret Service has faced criticism for security lapses surrounding the shooting and another gunman’s foiled plan to kill Trump as he golfed in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15. Most concerns have centered on on-site planning failures; Trump and others have praised agents for acting swiftly after threats became obvious in both instances.

Ahead of the Oct. 5 rally, local and federal officials expressed confidence that necessary adjustments have been made to protect Trump and the public.

Read the full story here.

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump pitched competing plans for creating auto manufacturing jobs in Michigan at rallies held just one day and 40 miles apart.

Attendees cheered both plans for job creation, though their comments showed that their voting is motivated by broader concerns.

With a month left in the presidential campaign, the rallies illustrate the importance of Michigan, a state that has been defined by auto manufacturing for more than a century, in this election.

More on the election:

The South Carolina Election Commission said on Friday that the state’s voter registration deadline has been extended to Oct. 14 due to the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene.

The initial deadlines for in-person, online, and mail-in voter registration were Oct. 4, Oct. 6, and Oct. 7, respectively. All registration methods have now been extended to Oct. 14 for voters in all counties.

The announcement followed a recent decision by Circuit Court Judge Daniel Coble to grant an extension following a lawsuit filed by the South Carolina Democratic Party (SCDP) on Oct. 3.

The party had asked the court to extend the deadlines for all forms of voter registration, citing the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on Sept. 26 as a Category 4 hurricane.

In its suit, the SCDP said the storm had shuttered numerous government offices, including those in charge of voter registration, and many residents were still without power and internet.

“We are pleased the voter registration deadline has been extended. This isn’t a partisan issue. It’s an issue of the public good and ensuring the right to vote is protected for everyone,” SCDP Chair Christale Spain said in a statement on Oct. 4.

More U.S. news:

Costco has started selling platinum bars and coins for its members in what appears to be an expansion of its already robust precious-metals business. Starting last year, the retailer began selling both gold bars and silver coins through its website.

How Much Are the Bars and Coins?

How Many Can You Buy?

Full details here.

More than two and a half years since Russia invaded eastern Ukraine, Moscow’s forces have seized the initiative in the eastern Donbas region, the total control of which remains a key Russian objective.

Kyiv, meanwhile, has been thrown on the defensive and continues to struggle with serious shortages of both manpower and military equipment.

In the past two months alone, advancing Russian forces have taken several strategic positions in Donbas, begging the question: Is Russia poised to win the war?

Read on here for the full analysis.

You’ve just savored a delicious meal, and now you’re reaching for that tall, frosty glass of water. Could that be setting you up for digestive distress?

Despite constant reminders to stay hydrated, many of us remain as confused about the timing and type of water we should drink as were our great-grandparents. A 2023 review in the journal Antioxidants highlights this ongoing dilemma:

“Recommendations about total daily fluid intake are less common and accurate than food recommendations.”

Indeed, traditional wisdom and modern advice often clash when it comes to drinking water around mealtimes. While research has yet to provide definitive answers, some common ground exists.

Ancient ayurvedic wisdom offered similar advice:

Read on here for the rest of the insights.

Fei Danxu

“Only at the end of the road does one think of turning on to the right track.”

—Cao Xueqin, from The Story of the Stone

In the 1984 presidential debates, Ronald Reagan, 73, faced off with his Democrat opponent, Walter Mondale, 56. During their second debate, journalist and moderator Henry Trewhitt asked this question of Reagan:

“You already are the oldest president in history, and some of your staff say you were tired after your most recent encounter with Mr. Mondale. I recall yet that President Kennedy had to go for days on end with very little sleep during the the Cuban Missile Crisis. Is there any doubt in your mind that you would be able to function in such circumstances?”

“Not at all, Mr. Trewhitt,” Reagan replied. “And I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Reagan’s response brought down the house. Even Mondale burst out laughing.

Here are five lessons gleaned from the former president’s comedic heritage:

Lesson 1: Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Ronald Reagan loved jokes and funny stories, and he had a comedian’s knack for timing and delivery. In his desk in the Oval Office he kept a stack of 3 x 5 notecards inscribed with one-liners that he had collected or invented. He often inserted one or more of them into speeches. Search online for topics such as “Ronald Reagan’s jokes,” and we find an array of video and print compilations featuring the best of this president’s comedic moments.

A Case in Point: As he did in his debate with Walter Mondale, Reagan frequently lampooned his age. In 1984, while delivering an address for the National Alliance for Senior Citizens, Reagan said:

For the rest of the lessons collected by Jeff Minick, read on here.

America’s Test Kitchen/TNS

From America’s Test Kitchen

Without using a fiery spit, we managed to mimic the typical cooking method of this Greek favorite in three steps.

To jump-start the cooking, we first covered the marinated pork and steamed it in the oven. Uncovering and continuing to roast the pork helped dry out its exterior. Finally, some time under the broiler gave the meat a crisp, well-charred crust for the best pork gyro.

Get the full recipe here.

Play today’s spot the difference here.

More games from Epoch Fun:

Thanks for reading,

have a wonderful day.

—Epoch Newsroom

Today’s Morning Brief was crafted by: Ivan Pentchoukov and Kenzi Li.

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