U.S. and world news for Nov. 4

Trump commercial: After complaints from the Trump campaign and a Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commissioner about Vice President Kalama Harris’ appearance on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, NBC gave Trump a free commercial during its coverage of the NASCAR races yesterday. NBC did not fact check the recording that the Trump campaign provided. In his message, Trump claimed that the U.S. is headed for a depression. He alleged that the U.S. is in “very bad shape.”

Trump campaign: Donald Trump was getting ready to end his campaign over the weekend by attacking members of the press. At a rally in North Carolina on Saturday, Trump said the reporters covering him are monsters and horrible, horrible dishonest people. Yesterday, at a rally in Pennsylvania, Trump said he wouldn’t mind if reporters were shot by someone trying to assassinate him. Trump said that he made a mistake by leaving the White House after losing the 2020 election. Trump campaigns today in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Harris campaign: Vice President Harris spends today in Pennsylvania, trying to solidify support that would give her the state’s 19 electoral votes. Her campaigning in the state ends with a rally tonight in Philadelphia that will feature Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga. Harris has focused her campaign on characterizing Trump as a threat to democracy, a would-be dictator and being responsible for taking away women’s health care rights.

Fake video: The FBI has issued a warning that two videos circulating on the internet that purport to be from the FBI are fakes made by Russia. One video claims that the FBI has cracked down on three groups that were rigging the election by submitting fake ballots. Another video has disparaging content about Kamala Harris’ husband. The BBC reported that it has identified at least 300 fake videos posted on the internet by Russia as part of its effort to interfere with the U.S. election.  

Moldova’s election: The Eastern European country Moldova, which borders Ukraine, has elected a new president. She’s Maia Sandu, who campaigned on her vision for a secure, prosperous, and democratic Moldova. President Biden said that for months Russia tried but failed to undermine Moldova’s democratic institutions and election processes. Biden said, “The Moldovan people have exercised their democratic right to choose their own future, and they have chosen to pursue a path aligned with Europe and democracies everywhere.”

Quincy Jones: Composer and producer Quincy Jones has died at his home in Bel Air, California, at age 91. Jones produced Michael Jackson’s album “Thriller,” the original version of the movie “The Color Purple” that was directed by Steven Spielberg, and made recordings with dozens of musical legends from Frank Sinatra to Peggy Lee. Jones also is remembered for composing more than 30 film scores including “In the Heat of the Night” and “In Cold Blood.”