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Creation of AI ‘superbody’ pushed

REUTERS

THE House of Representatives should prioritize a bill creating a regulatory body over the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country to promote its responsible use, a congressman said on Sunday.

“Almost every country in the world is already implementing national policies or laws as knowledge about AI continues to advance,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace S. Barbers said in a statement in Filipino. “We should not fall behind in these areas, as this will have a significant impact on our society, particularly in education, business, and the economy.”

The chamber should take up House Bill No. 7396, which he filed in 2023, so the Philippine government could maximize its benefits while mitigating possible drawbacks, he said.

“While Filipinos recognize the importance of AI in the development of the country, the rapid phase of technological advancement in AI also poses risks and challenges that must be addressed to ensure that its benefits are maximized, and its negative impacts are minimized, if not avoided,” he said.

The bill proposes a “comprehensive framework” for AI management, mandating fair and transparent development of AI tools in the country while including provisions protecting personal data used in machine learning, according to Mr. Barbers. 

The AI body would also act as a “watchdog” to guard and penalize the unscrupulous use of AI, he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

PAGCOR to build 1,200 classrooms

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) said it has teamed up with the Education and Public Works departments to build at least 1,200 classrooms and other public facilities in the next four years.

In a statement released Sunday, PAGCOR said it signed a joint memorandum circular with the two agencies, which will prioritize building classrooms in far-flung areas.

“In four years, we hope to build at least 1,200 classrooms or about 300 classrooms per year under this new infrastructure push as part of our commitment to nation-building,” PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejando H. Tengco was quoted as saying.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Tengco, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara, and Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan on Oct. 23.

Alongside the school buildings, PAGCOR will build 200 electronic Learning (e-Learning centers). Each center will have 48 computer stations with internet connection for online research and computer literacy courses.

The state gaming regulator will also build 100 health and wellness centers to improve healthcare access in poor localities.

These centers will feature doctors’ offices and consultation rooms, dental clinics, vaccination rooms, treatment rooms, and a multi-purpose area.

Lastly, 50 socio-civic centers will be built in isolated areas. These will be used for seminars, training, social and community gatherings, and as evacuation facilities during disasters.

Under the memorandum, the Department of Public Works and Highways will be tasked to oversee construction while the Department of Education will administer the schools and e-Learning Centers. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Couple ordered to pay millions in lease dispute

THE Court of Appeals (CA) has ordered a couple to pay over P7 million in outstanding rent and penalties to BPI Century Tokyo Lease & Finance Corporation (formerly known as BPI Leasing Corporation) after defaulting on a lease agreement for several trucks.

The appellate court found the couple liable for breach of contract, as they had stopped making rent payments in September 2017 despite having signed a Capital Lease Agreement, several lease schedules detailing payment terms, and a Continuing Suretyship holding them jointly and severally liable for the debt.

It ordered the pair to jointly and severally pay BPI Century P7.03 million representing their total outstanding monthly rentals, plus interest at the rate of 6% per annum, to be computed from the date of each overdue rental’s date of delinquency until full payment.

Another 6% annual legal interest due on the total outstanding monthly rentals accruing as of judicial demand, or May 8, 2018, until full payment, with P25,000 attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, filing fees, and payment of the replevin bond worth over P500,000 will be imposed.

“Worse, despite BPI Century’s demand for payment, [the couple] refused to settle their outstanding rent and the accrued penalty charges, causing their obligation to balloon to an astronomical amount,” the 16-page ruling, penned by Justice Ramon A. Cruz, read.

The case stemmed from the pair failing to pay their lease starting September 2017. The lessor filed a complaint in 2018, prompting the seizure of the trucks.

Despite challenging the complaint and attempting to appeal, the CA upheld BPI’s claim, deeming the spouses in default and liable under the lease’s agreed terms. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DA to aid to typhoon-hit Cordillera farmers

REUTERS

BAGUIO CITY — An initial 356 rice and vegetable farmers in two provinces in the Cordillera region affected by typhoon “Kristine” expect aid from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Though the agency is still consolidating data on the total number of affected farmers and fisherfolk, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) said rice farmers in Kalinga and vegetable farmers in Apayao have been affected by the tropical storm affecting 154 hectares of rice and vegetables areas.

An initial P17.5 million worth of damage has so far been recorded, according to the DA.

The DA also said rice farmers in the highland region were able to harvest 28,049 metric tons of rice and 102,300 metric tons of corn before Kristine’s onslaught. — Artemio A. Dumlao

BSP Cotabato, media community cooperating in public info thrusts

COTABATO CITY — Members of the Media community in the Bangsamoro region have fused ranks to help the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) educate the local communities on how its large operations center here can help push forward regional commerce and trade.

The BSP facilitated in Cotabato City last Oct. 22 a media information session, where its officials and participants talked lengthily on how the state’s central monetary authority can help the public in terms of banking and finance.

The newly established operations center of the BSP in Cotabato City is only about six hundred meters away from the 32-hectare Bangsamoro regional capitol.

Among the participants to the BSP’s media information session were reporters of the oldest broadcast outfit in Cotabato City, the Catholic Station DXMS of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate congregation, and the Station DXMY of the Radio Mindanao Network that has stations across the country.

Both radio stations pioneered peace and conflict-sensitive journalism in Cotabato City. — John Felix M. Unson

The far-reaching effects of VAT on digital services

IN BRIEF:

• As more countries legislate on the imposition of consumption tax on digital services, the Philippines joins the list with the recent signing of Republic Act No. 12023, commonly known as the VAT on digital services law.

• The law defines digital service providers (DSPs) as the suppliers of digital services consumed in the Philippines, and sets certain VAT obligations upon them, both resident and non-resident.

• The far-reaching effects of the new law are to be felt more by non-resident DSPs who are assigned unprecedented VAT responsibilities.

The digital economy significantly changed the landscape of doing business worldwide, and with this change comes the obvious need for governments to regulate, as well as the opportunity to conceptualize measures for raising revenue. As more countries legislate on the imposition of consumption tax on digital services, the Philippines joins the list with the recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12023, commonly known as the VAT on digital services law.

This new law took effect on Oct. 18. According to the Department of Finance, the initiative is set to generate an estimated P16-billion VAT collection annually, and somehow level the playing field between traditional and digital businesses.

It introduces amendments to the general VAT provisions of the Tax Code, putting emphasis on ‘digital service’ as among the services subject to VAT. It defines digital service as any service supplied over the internet or other electronic network with the use of information technology, describing the supply as essentially automated. Included in the definition of digital service are online search engines, online marketplace or e-market places, cloud services, online media and advertising, online platforms, and digital goods.

DEFINING DIGITAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
The law defines digital service providers (DSPs) as the suppliers of digital services consumed in the Philippines, and sets certain VAT obligations upon them, both resident and non-resident.

Resident DSPs, being local service providers, are presumed to have been operating within the purview of the old VAT provisions. Thus, for them, the new law would serve as a reaffirmation of the obligation to report and remit VAT.

The far-reaching effects of the new law are to be felt more by non-resident DSPs who are assigned unprecedented VAT responsibilities. These responsibilities are anchored on the core of the law, which treats digital services by non-resident DSPs as performed or rendered in the Philippines, provided that they are consumed in the country, thus subjecting them to VAT.

VAT IMPLICATIONS
The following are VAT implications of the new law as far as non-resident DSP transactions are concerned, highlighting what transacting parties should be on the lookout for:

VAT registration. The law requires non-resident DSPs to register with the BIR for VAT purposes if their gross sales for the past three months exceed P3 million or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that their gross sales for the next 12 months will exceed the same threshold. The actual requirements and process for VAT registration are not yet clearly set out. In any case, non-resident DSPs are advised to watch out for the ‘simplified automated registration system’ that the BIR is tasked with establishing.

Invoicing and accounting. The law requires non-resident DSPs to issue VAT invoices for digital services consumed in the Philippines. In any case, the law ensures that a non-resident DSP’s invoice is simplified in terms of contents as compared to mandatory contents of a regular local invoice. A non-resident DSP invoice only needs to reflect the date, transaction reference number, consumer identification, brief description of the transaction, amount, and breakdown of sale price by component if subject to VAT at 12%, VAT zero-rated, or VAT exempt, if necessary. Non-resident DSPs are advised to be on standby for announcements on when the government will operationalize the invoicing requirement. For accounting purposes, non-resident DSPs are not required to maintain subsidiary sales and purchase journals.

VAT payment. The law lays down the manner of VAT remittance, which depends on whether the non-resident DSP transacts with a non-VAT consumer or VAT-registered consumer in the Philippines. For transactions with non-VAT registered consumers, the non-resident DSPs are the ones required to directly remit the VAT to the BIR. For transactions with VAT-registered consumers, these consumers are the ones supposed to withhold VAT and remit the same to the BIR. This process is referred to as the “reverse charge mechanism,” a similar mechanism to our existing withholding VAT. The BIR will likely soon release mechanics for VAT payment, whether via direct remittance or reverse charge. In either case, transacting parties are advised to assess whether the imposition of VAT on the digital services would have an effect on agreed pricing between them.

Special rule for online marketplaces or e-marketplaces. Online marketplaces may also be required under the law to remit the VAT on behalf of their non-resident sellers, if the online marketplaces are involved in setting the terms and conditions of supply, or are involved in the ordering or delivery of goods.

RECOGNIZING THE FAR-REACHING EFFECTS OF VAT ON DIGITAL SERVICES
For the very first time, a Philippine law calls the attention of non-resident businesses, DSPs in particular, to comply with its VAT requirements such as registration, invoicing, and more importantly, VAT payment. The law even goes on to say that, in case of failure to register and non-compliance, the BIR, through the Department of Information and Communications Technology, can suspend business operations by blocking access to their digital services in the Philippines.

At the same time, the law subtly calls the attention of Philippine customers transacting with DSPs. With a tax ecosystem that encourages taxpayers to comply, Philippine customers, especially businesses placed on the receiving end of tax audits, should assess its implications from various angles. Questions around the consequences of transacting with unregistered non-resident DSPs, transacting with DSPs that issue non-compliant VAT invoices, and the applicability and proper implementation of the reverse charge mechanism are just some of the valid concerns consumers should recognize in view of the recent VAT law development.

The effects of the VAT on digital services law are far-reaching. For now, taxpayers can expect further clarifications to come from the tax authority as it designs the rules and regulations for effective implementation.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinion expressed above are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

 

Atty. Victor C. De Dios is a tax principal of SGV & Co.

LA Dodgers thwart NY Yankees’ comeback, lead World Series 2-0

LOS ANGELES DODGERS starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18). — REUTERS

LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto emerged from Shohei Ohtani’s large shadow on Saturday and stepped to the forefront to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a commanding lead in the World Series.

Yamamoto gave up one hit into the seventh inning, Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman hit back-to-back home runs, and the Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a 4-2 victory over the visiting New York Yankees on Saturday to take a 2-0 World Series lead.

“I was trying to focus on facing one hitter at a time,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “So I was able to throw the strike when I wanted, and I was able to (concentrate on) the hitters one at a time.”

Despite the victory, there was a pall over Dodger Stadium when Ohtani left after the seventh inning with a partial left shoulder dislocation, according to manager Dave Roberts.

“The scene (was) very concerning,” Roberts said. “Obviously when you get any one of your players that goes down, it’s concerning. But after kind of the range of motion, the strength test, I felt much better about it.”

Ohtani is expected to undergo an MRI by Sunday afternoon and his status moving forward in the series remains unknown.

Tommy Edman also hit a home run while Yamamoto (2-0) allowed one run and two walks with four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings, helping the Dodgers move two wins away from their first World Series title since 2020 and their first after a full regular season since 1988.

After the Dodgers added Ohtani on a 10-year, $700-million heavily deferred contract, they added Yamamoto on a 12-year, $325-million deal, making him the highest paid pitcher ever. Yamamoto’s first MLB season included a three-month absence because of a shoulder injury.

“Watching from center field, it was fun to see how much his stuff was moving,” Edman said of Yamamoto. “Really did a good job keeping them off balance and just did a great job of pitching.”

Dodgers right-hander Blake Treinen gave up an RBI single in the ninth to Giancarlo Stanton and departed with two outs and the bases loaded. Left-hander Alex Vesia entered and got pinch hitter Jose Trevino to fly out to center field for his first save of the postseason.

Juan Soto hit a home run for the Yankees, while left-hander Carlos Rodon (1-2) gave up four runs on six hits, including three home runs, over 3 1/3 innings. Aaron Judge went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Game 2 and is 1-for-9 in the series with six strikeouts.

“I definitely chased some pitches out of the zone; I need to lock into my zone,” Judge said. “At the end, we showed some fight and we have to take that into Game 3.”

The series shifts to New York for the next three contests, if the series is extended to five games. Game 3 is on Monday, followed by Game 4 on Tuesday and Game 5, if necessary, would be on Wednesday.

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when the switch-hitting Edman hit a home run into the left field corner against Rodon while batting from the right side. It was his second home run of the postseason to go along with 13 RBIs for the National League Championship Series MVP.

Soto tied it 1-1 in the third with a blast into the right field corner against Yamamoto, his fourth of the postseason.

The Dodgers moved in front 3-1 in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run from Hernandez, his third of these playoffs, while Freeman followed with a drive to right field in nearly the same spot he hit his grand slam that ended Game 1 on Friday.

It was just the 19th time a team has hit back-to-back home runs in the World Series with the only other occurrence by the Dodgers coming in Game 5 in 1981 against the Yankees by Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager.

The Yankees had just one hit heading into the ninth when Soto singled off the right field wall, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single off the third base bag by Stanton. Jazz Chisholm Jr. singled and Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Treinen struck out Anthony Volpe before Vesia got the last out on his first pitch. — Reuters

Filipinas blast Jordan, 3-0, at Pink Ladies Week tournament in Antalya, Turkey

THE PHILIPPINE women’s football team made a smashing return to action and clobbered Jordan, 3-0, in its kickoff gig at the Pink Ladies Week tourney Saturday night in Antalya, Turkey.

Sarina Bolden fired a brace while Katrina Guillou wrapped up scoring as the Filipinas handled business with efficiency in their first match after a six-month layoff.

“It’s going to take a bit of time to build what we want in terms of our playing style but the most important thing is we got a win,” said coach Mark Torcaso, whose squad is employing a new attacking-oriented game.

“We haven’t played together for a good six months and now to get a good win against a good opponent that pressured us in situations, it was just a really pleasing thing. I’m glad for Sarina (Bolden), I’m glad for Katrina (Guillou‚, but also all the girls for getting a really good result.”

The Filipinas punched through the Jordanian goal barely two minutes in with debutant Janae Defazio delivering a crafty cross to Ms. Bolden for an open header that got things started.

Jordan got an opportunity to tie it from the spot but Olivia McDaniel, doing what she does best, foiled Ayah Al-Majali’s attempt.

The Filipinas had their own penalty kick (PK) in the 69th and Ms. Bolden made sure to cash in and double the lead. Ms. Guillou converted her own PK eight minutes earlier to put the game beyond Jordan’s reach. — Olmin Leyba

CSB Blazers move closer to NCAA Final Four after beating EAC

Games on Tuesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
11 a.m. – Mapua vs LPU
2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs JRU

BIG MAN Allen Liwag knew he needed to play smart for the College of St. Benilde  (CSB) Blazers to stay afloat in the NCAA Season 100 cage wars.

And he did.

With its offensive attack revolving around the 6’6 Mr. Liwag, CSB Blazers turned back Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC), 69-65, on Sunday to move a step closer to the Final Four at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Mr. Liwag was the source of inside strength for his squad as he powered his way to 15 points and nine rounds while helping soften the perimeter defense for their shooters resulting to the CSB Blazers swishing 10 thunderous triples.

It was CSB’s 11th win in 13 games that ensured it of at least a playoff for a Final Four ticket.

Another win will catapult it straight to the Final Four while strengthening its bid of finishing in the top two where it would claim one of the two precious semifinal incentives.

And it was because Mr. Liwag played smart.

It also helped that cerebral wing Tony Ynot was back after tweaking an ankle late in the first round.

He made sure people noticed on his return by firing 14 points on top of four boards, four dimes and a steal.

EAC dropped to 6-7. — Joey Villar

The scores:

CSB 69 – Liwag 15, Ynot 14, Torres 9, Cometa 7, Eusebio 6, Sangco 5, Ondoa 4, Sanchez 3, Oli 3, Cajucom 3, Morales 0, Ancheta 0, Turco 0, Serrano 0

EAC 65 – Pagsanjan 16, Quinal 12, Gurtiza 10, Lucero 5, Doromal 5, Loristo 4, Bacud 4, Ochavo 3, Oftana 3, Bagay 3, Angeles 0, Luciano 0, Ednilag 0, Umpad 0

Quarter scores: 13-20; 34-34; 49-44; 69-65

Barcelona thrashes Real Madrid at Bernabeu, 4-0, helped by Lewandowski double in Clasico

MADRID — Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski scored a quick-fire second-half double to set the leaders on course for a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid that handed the hosts their first defeat in 42 LaLiga games in a sensational Clasico encounter on Saturday.

The Polish striker pounced with two goals in three minutes early in the second half before Lamine Yamal at 17 years and 106 days old became the youngest Clasico scorer and captain Raphinha wrapped up a comfortable win late on at a stunned Bernabeu.

Barca stretched their lead at the top with 30 points, six above Real who saw their unbeaten LaLiga run come to a bitter end after 13 months, leaving them one tantalizing positive result away from equaling the Catalans’ league record of 43.

After four consecutive Clasico defeats, Barcelona claimed their first triumph over Real since March 2023 in style with a clinical performance in which they were true to coach Hansi Flick’s ideas of gambling with an aggressively high defense.

The visitors were more than comfortable playing on the counter-attack, exploiting the lightning speed of Raphinha and Yamal to help feed LaLiga top scorer Lewandowski.

Real were ontopat the start but became frustrated as they wasted several chances, mainly through off form Kylian Mbappe who missed four clear opening from close-range and was caught offside nine times, including having two goals ruled out.

Despite Real dominating proceedings, Barca kept playing their risk-taking tactics and the gamble paid off when Lewandowski silenced the crowd with a two-goal blitz in the 54th and 56th minutes to reach 14 goals in 11 league games.

The hosts tried to get back into the contest but their batch of missed opportunities continued with Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Mbappe wasting clear openings that infuriated their fans, who started booing the players.

Barcelona kept playing their game and it was a matter of time until they ended the contest with two more goals on the counter through the precocious Yamal after 77 minutes and the ever dangerous Raphinha six minutes from time. — Reuters

NY firepower

The Knicks finally showed glimpses of their firepower in making short work of the Pacers on Sunday. To argue that they were worked up in their home debut would be to understate the obvious. For one thing, they wanted to rid themselves of the bitter taste of defeat at the hands of the vaunted Celtics in their season opener on Wednesday. For another, they faced their tormentors in the immediate past Eastern Conference Finals, courtesy of a Game Seven swoon at the Garden.

In short, the Knicks were looking for more than a bounceback. They wanted revenge, and they were determined to show off their new look in the process. And, as expected, All-Stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns led the charge; along with would-be rotation regulars Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, the stalwarts put up better numbers in blasting the visiting Pacers. The latter had been fresh off a road victory against the hapless Pistons, but proved unable to weather yet another pedestrian outing from Olympian Tyrese Haliburton.

To be sure, two games does not a campaign make. The small sample size gives little indication of how the rejiggered lineup can make the Knicks better equipped to take the measure of the acknowledged elite in the National Basketball Association, the title-bearing Celtics first and foremost. That said, there can be no denying that the 19.812 fans at MSG were treated to the very brand of hoops for which head coach Tom Thibodeau stands: relentless defense translated to efficient offense, sprinkled with no small measure of determination.

Certainly, the Knicks can pride themselves in preventing the high-octane Pacers to reach the century mark. Their perimeter coverage, in particular, was nothing short of stellar; they forced the blue and gold to miss a whopping 27 of 30 shots from behind the arc. Haliburton was especially atrocious, going zero of seven from three to bring his running aggregate to one of 16. As Thibodeau noted, “I loved the way our guys responded” to the previous loss. “The fight we showed was a lot greater.” And “the fight” is exactly how they aim to continue distinguishing themselves from the competition.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Michelle Obama backs Harris in Michigan

DEMOCRATIC presidential nominee US Vice-President Kamala Harris (left) and Former US first lady Michelle Obama attend a campaign event at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Oct. 26, 2024. — REUTERS

NOVI/KALAMAZOO, Michigan — Republican Donald Trump appealed to Muslim voters in Michigan on Saturday as Michelle Obama made an impassioned plea on behalf of Kamala Harris at the Democrat’s own rally in the battleground state.

In Michigan, Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump are battling for voters that include an Arab American and Muslim population concerned about Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and union workers worried about how electric vehicles could reshape the US auto industry, which is headquartered in Detroit, the state’s largest city.

Election Day is Nov. 5 but early voting was under way in Michigan, as it is many states.

Speaking at a rally outside Detroit, Mr. Trump said he had just met with group of local imams, arguing that he deserved the support of Muslim voters because he would end conflicts and bring peace to the Middle East.

“That’s all they want,” Mr. Trump said in the Detroit suburb of Novi, also pledging to auto workers at the rally that he would reverse economic decline in the Detroit area and nationwide.

Mr. Trump fully backs Israel but has not said how he would end the conflict there.

Even so, Mr. Trump appears to be gaining support from some Muslim Americans upset with President Joseph R Biden’s and Ms. Harris’ support of Israel, and despite Mr. Trump banning immigration from some Muslim majority countries in his first term as president.

Imam Belal Alzuhairi of the Islamic Center of Detroit joined Mr. Trump on stage, saying, “We ask Muslims to stand with President Trump because he promises peace.”

With some 8.4 million registered voters and 15 electoral college votes of the 270 needed to win, Michigan is one of seven competitive US states that will decide the election. It is part of the “Blue Wall” that is considered Democrats’ best chance of electing Ms. Harris, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

OBAMA TAKES THE STAGE
In the southern Michigan city of Kalamazoo, about 130 miles (210 km) away, Ms. Harris drew contrasts between her and Mr. Trump on issues such as abortion rights, taxes and healthcare.

But first Ms. Obama, the popular wife of former President Barack Obama, fired up the crowd by drawing distinctions between the two candidates on personal character and qualifications, saying there was a double standard in how Mr. Trump and Harris were being treated.

“I hope you’ll forgive me that I’m a little frustrated that some of us are choosing to ignore Trump’s gross incompetence while asking Kamala to dazzle us at every turn,” the former first lady said, urging any undecided voters to “snap out of whatever fog they’re in.”

Ms. Obama also addressed women’s health at length, saying Mr. Trump has failed to demonstrate understanding of its complexity and that his vows to rescind the Affordable Care Act passed during her husband’s presidency would affect the “entirety of women’s health, all of it.”

“We as women will become collateral damage to your rage,” she said, later introducing Ms. Harris to an animated crowd.

Ms. Harris was several minutes into an upbeat address when she was interrupted by a demonstrator who repeatedly yelled, “No more Gaza war.”

After Harris supporters shouted down the interruption, Ms. Harris responded, “On the topic of Gaza, we must end that war,” then picked up where she left off, asking voters to “turn the page on the fear and the divisiveness.”

“Over the last eight years, Donald Trump has become more confused, more unstable and more angry, and it is clear he has become increasingly unhinged. But the last time, at least there were people who could control him, but notice they’re not with him this time,” Ms. Harris said.

Ahead of the rally, Ms. Harris met with women medical providers in Portage, Michigan, where she said the country was in a healthcare crisis following the 2022 ruling by the US Supreme Court that overturned Roe v. Wade, which had guaranteed a women’s right to abortion nationwide.

Ms. Harris heard from six women medical providers who described being inundated by patients from other regions due to a lack of reproductive healthcare in their areas since Roe was overturned.

After leaving Michigan, Mr. Trump traveled to Pennsylvania, where he tried to reel in young voters with a rally on the campus of Penn State University, at one point bringing the school’s wrestling team on stage with him.

“We have to finish it off with a big victory on Nov. 5,” he said.

POLLS SHOW TIGHT RACE
Ms. Harris is leading Mr. Trump nationally by a marginal 46% to 43%, a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll showed. In Michigan, Harris leads by even less – 47.6% to 47.1%, according to opinion poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight.

Since the 2020 election, Michigan has instituted early in-person voting for the first time and begun permitting jurisdictions with more than 5,000 people to begin processing and tabulating mail ballots eight days before the Nov. 5 Election Day.

So far, 19.5% of registered voters in Michigan, or nearly 1.42 million people, have voted, Michigan’s State department said on Friday. Only 10,900 were in-person early votes, while the rest were returned absentee ballots. — Reuters

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