Following President Boakai’s brief remarks at the event, Trump turned to the visiting leader and asked, “Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated?” The American president added, “Thank you, and such good English.”

President Boakai, a fluent English speaker and business graduate educated in Liberia, responded modestly, though his subdued tone and body language his face turned away from the press, suggested discomfort at the question.

Trump, seated among several Francophone West African leaders, continued with the commentary, remarking, “It’s beautiful English. I have people at this table who can’t speak nearly as well.”

Liberia, a country with deep historical ties to the United States, was founded in the 19th century by freed African Americans under the auspices of the American Colonization Society. Declaring independence in 1847, these settlers known as Americo-Liberians established a government that would dominate national politics for over a century.

Today, English remains the official language of Liberia and is used in government, education, and commerce. The nation is also home to a multitude of indigenous languages, including Kpelle the most widely spoken along with Mende and Kissi. President Boakai himself is literate in both Mende and Kissi, though he, like most Liberians, primarily communicates in English.

The exchange underscored cultural gaps and drew quiet criticism for its tone, highlighting the need for greater awareness in international diplomacy.

The post Liberian President Receives Praise from Trump for English Fluency appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The order mandates that voters present valid citizenship documents, such as passports, when registering in their state of residence for elections.

States failing to comply with these new regulations could lose access to federal election funding, as outlined in the executive directive.

Additionally, the order authorizes the attorney general to challenge states that count mail-in ballots received after the official Election Day.

Legal experts and civil rights organizations swiftly condemned the directive, warning it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters nationwide.

Richard Hasen, a UCLA law professor, criticized the order as a dangerous power grab undermining state authority over federal elections.

The Brennan Center for Justice denounced the policy, stating it would block millions of American citizens from exercising their voting rights.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called it an extreme abuse of power and vowed immediate legal action against enforcement.

Voting by non-citizens in U.S. federal elections remains illegal, with offenders facing potential fines, imprisonment, and deportation under existing federal law.

Critics argue that Trump’s executive order is politically motivated, aiming to suppress voter participation rather than ensuring election integrity nationwide.

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Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described the initiative as a premium alternative to the traditional green card, claiming it would attract affluent investors worldwide. The program is set to launch in two weeks, with Trump suggesting that millions of these cards could be sold.

When asked if Russian oligarchs could purchase the card, Trump responded, “Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that the new program would replace the EB-5 immigrant investor visa scheme. The EB-5 program, introduced in 1992, currently requires foreign investors to commit at least $1,050,000—or $800,000 in targeted areas—to projects creating American jobs.

Lutnick assured that buyers would undergo rigorous vetting to ensure they meet U.S. standards as “world-class global citizens.”

Trump-affiliated businesses have previously utilized the EB-5 program to fund large-scale property developments. However, the EB-5 scheme faced bipartisan criticism for drifting from its original objectives.

In 2019, the Trump administration attempted to raise the program’s minimum investment threshold, but a federal court overturned the move in 2021. The Biden administration renewed the program in 2022, implementing the current investment requirements.

With the introduction of the “gold card,” Trump aims to revamp U.S. immigration options for wealthy investors, promising expedited citizenship and residency privileges.

The post Donald Trump Introduces $5 Million ‘Gold Card’ for Wealthy Foreigners Seeking U.S. Citizenship appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Egypt’s plan emphasizes the urgent need for reconstruction in Gaza, with the goal of allowing Palestinians to remain in their homeland while safeguarding their legitimate rights. Cairo has reiterated its commitment to the two-state solution as the only viable framework for ensuring lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.

“Egypt aims to work closely with the U.S. administration to establish a just and comprehensive peace, addressing the Palestinian cause as a central issue for regional security,” said the Foreign Ministry statement.

Egypt Calls for Joint Efforts with U.S. to Achieve Middle East Peace

In a show of diplomatic solidarity, Egypt expressed its desire to cooperate with the United States to bring about a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue. This partnership is seen as crucial for advancing peace in the region, with Egypt stressing that achieving a two-state solution is essential for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Regional Backlash Against Trump’s Gaza Plan

This announcement comes just days after U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal, which suggested taking control of Gaza, relocating its nearly two million residents, and redeveloping the area into a luxury Mediterranean hub. Trump’s plan has drawn strong criticism from both Egypt and Jordan, with both countries rejecting the idea of resettling Palestinians from Gaza as harmful to the region’s peace prospects.

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With one hand raised in the air and the other on a Bible given to him by his mother, the 47th US president solemnly took the oath of office beneath the huge Rotunda of the US Capitol.

Republican Trump and outgoing Democratic President Joe Biden had earlier traveled by motorcade together to the Capitol, where the ceremony was being held indoors — and with a much smaller crowd — for the first time in decades due to frigid weather.

Earlier, they and their spouses met for a traditional tea at the White House.

“Welcome home,” Biden said to Trump as he and First Lady Jill Biden greeted their successors at the front door to the presidential residence.

Trump, 78, was a political outsider at his first inauguration in 2017 as the 45th president, but this time around he is surrounded by America’s wealthy and powerful.

The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos and Google CEO Sundar Pichai all had prime seats in the Capitol alongside Trump’s family and cabinet members.

Musk, who bankrolled Trump’s election campaign to the tune of a quarter of a billion dollars and promotes far-right policies on the X social network, will lead a cost-cutting drive in the new administration.

While Trump refused to attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration after falsely claiming electoral fraud by the Democrat, this time Biden has been keen to restore the sense of tradition.

Biden joined former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at the Capitol. Former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were there but ex-first lady Michelle Obama pointedly stayed away.

‘American decline’

Unusually for an inauguration where foreign leaders are normally not invited, Argentina’s hard-right president Javier Milei was attending, along with Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The bitter cold weather has forced Trump’s inauguration indoors for the first time since Ronald Reagan’s in 1985, missing out on the customary massive crowds along the National Mall.

Behind the pomp and ceremony, the billionaire is kickstarting his nationalist, right-wing agenda with a barrage of around 100 executive orders undoing Biden’s legacy.

Trump will declare a national emergency at the Mexico border, give the US military a key role on the frontier, and end birthright citizenship, as he seeks clamp down on undocumented migrants, an official from his incoming administration said.

Trump has pledged to start immediate deportations of undocumented migrants.

He will also sign an order for the US government to recognize only two biological sexes and seek to eliminate federal government diversity programs as he takes office.

The announcement of the hardline policies came a day after Trump had promised a “brand new day” and to end “four years of American decline.”

“I will act with historic speed and strength and fix every single crisis facing our country,” Trump told an inauguration eve rally where he danced with the Village People band.

‘Ecstatic’

Despite promising a new “golden era,” populist Trump also campaigned on often apocalyptic depictions of the country in his victorious election campaign against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in November.

At sunrise on Monday, the National Mall, where the inauguration was originally due to be held, was largely empty — save for the Fairchild family, who traveled from Michigan to pay tribute to Trump.

“Ecstatic,” said grandmother Barb, when asked how they were feeling, adding she thought the move indoors was made “to protect our president.”

With minutes left in his presidency, Biden issued extraordinary pre-emptive pardons for his brothers and sister to shield them from “baseless and politically motivated investigations.”

He also pardoned former Covid-19 advisor Anthony Fauci, retired general Mark Milley, and members of a US House committee probing the violent January 6, 2021 US Capitol attack by Trump’s supporters.

Biden said he had also restored the tradition of leaving a letter for his successor — though he said the contents were between him and Trump.

Trump will make history by replacing Biden as the oldest president to be sworn in. He is also just the second president in US history to return to power after being voted out, after Grover Cleveland in 1893.

Another first is Trump’s criminal record, related to paying a porn star hush money during his first presidential run — and a string of far more serious criminal probes that were dropped once he won the election in November.

For the rest of the world, Trump’s return means expecting the unexpected.

From promising sweeping tariffs, to making territorial threats to Greenland and Panama and calling US aid for Ukraine into question, Trump looks set to rattle the global order once again.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Trump ahead of the inauguration and said Monday he was open to talks on the Ukraine conflict, adding he hoped any settlement would ensure “lasting peace”.

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Trump suggested that Canada should merge with the United States, a move he believes would significantly benefit both nations.

In his post, Trump argued that a merger would eliminate tariffs between the two countries, lower taxes, and enhance security by protecting Canada from external threats, specifically from Russia and China. He also emphasized that such a union would provide “total security” for Canada, which has been facing increasing pressure from foreign naval activity.

Trump’s bold proposal, though largely seen as a speculative idea, sparked conversation about the future of North American relations. The suggestion comes amid growing geopolitical concerns and shifting political landscapes in both the U.S. and Canada.

While the idea of a U.S.-Canada merger is highly unlikely, Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing influence in shaping discussions about the region’s security and economic policies. As the world watches, the debate over international relations and national sovereignty continues to evolve.

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Are you thinking of buying a home in the next few years? Or perhaps you’re a current homeowner wondering what the future holds for your property value?

The housing market can be a bit of a rollercoaster, and with the Trump administration’s policies in play for the next 4 years, it’s more important than ever to have a good understanding of what might be in store.

The housing market under the Trump administration is predicted to experience increased home construction, fluctuating mortgage rates, affordability challenges, tax policy changes, deregulated lending, infrastructure investments, and influence from remote work trends.

These factors, alongside inflationary pressures and regional variations, could lead to a more balanced market by 2025, with potentially more favorable conditions for buyers.

I’ve been following the real estate market for years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how government policies and economic forces can impact home prices, mortgage rates, and overall market stability. Based on what I’ve observed and the insights shared by reputable sources, here’s my take on the ten key predictions for the housing market over the next four years:

10 Housing Market Predictions for the Next 4 Years Under Trump

1. Increased Home Construction

One of the most significant changes anticipated under the Trump administration is a substantial increase in home construction. A primary focus of his administration was utilizing deregulation as a tool to stimulate growth within the housing sector. By easing restrictions and making the building process simpler, developers are likely to find it easier and more profitable to build new homes, particularly in suburban areas.

You see, suburban areas are where the demand has been high and the supply has been limited. This surge in construction could help lessen the pressure on housing inventory, providing more opportunities for first-time homebuyers and others struggling with affordability issues.

Some experts predict that easing regulatory hurdles could trigger a wave of new home construction. This could offer a wider range of options for buyers who felt sidelined in the current market. These new homes might also include features that align with modern buyer preferences, such as features suitable for remote work or multi-generational living.

2. Fluctuating Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates are going to be a key factor in the coming years. Forecasts suggest that rates will continue to be on the higher side, averaging between 6% and 7%. Many things contribute to this outlook, like the government’s decisions regarding spending and monetary policy interventions to control inflation. The administration might try to temporarily reduce rates to boost economic growth and home purchasing, but rising inflation might counter those efforts, keeping borrowing costs high.

For many buyers, those higher mortgage rates will be a major hurdle. This is especially challenging when you consider that historically, lower rates encouraged more participation in the market. CBS News reports that the stability of homeownership might be at risk under these conditions. Millennials and younger generations trying to enter the housing market might face extra difficulty.

3. Housing Affordability Challenges

Despite the potential for more housing supply with new construction, the affordability crisis is likely to continue. High home prices combined with stagnant wages for many households create a significant challenge. The gap between the wealthy and everyone else has widened in recent years, making homeownership a distant dream for a lot of people. Millennials and Gen Z face unique pressures like student loan debt and rising living costs, which make saving for a down payment or managing a monthly mortgage difficult.

The cost of homes has grown faster than wages, creating a gap that makes homeownership unattainable for many first-time buyers. Unless wages increase significantly alongside policies that address the rising cost of living, many young adults hoping to buy homes will face frustration in an economy that favors those who already own real estate.

4. Tax Policy Changes Affecting Homeownership

Potential changes to tax policies under the Trump administration could significantly affect homeownership. There were proposals to make mortgage interest deductions permanent, which could encourage buying a home instead of renting. Changes to capital gains taxes might stabilize some markets by reducing speculative buying that can cause price bubbles. These tax adjustments can influence how buyers make decisions, impacting the overall market.

Buyers should keep a close eye on how tax policies evolve because they directly influence affordability and real estate investment. Business insiders noted that adjustments to tax frameworks could either support or hinder homeownership rates, depending on the income and financial situations of potential homebuyers.

5. Deregulation of Lending Practices

The Trump administration might promote softer lending standards, potentially lowering borrowing costs for buyers and increasing demand for homes. However, this can raise concerns, especially among economists who remember the lessons of the 2008 financial crisis. Relaxed lending standards contributed to a wave of defaults, causing significant economic harm. While the goal might be to stimulate growth and make homeownership more accessible, it’s crucial to be cautious to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Finding the right balance between making homeownership accessible and maintaining sound lending practices is vital for the health of the housing market. CoreLogic suggests that this situation could benefit buyers who are looking to improve their financial standing while securing loans to buy homes despite the ongoing economic uncertainties.

6. Infrastructure Investment Boosting Property Values

Infrastructure investments proposed by the Trump administration have the potential to significantly enhance property values in various areas. Improving public transportation, roads, schools, and other community amenities could make previously overlooked neighborhoods more desirable, leading to the maintenance or increase of home prices in those areas. The revitalization of these areas might lead to increased interest from buyers who are seeking value, accessibility, and better living conditions.

Infrastructure improvements support economic growth by attracting businesses and fostering community development. If the Trump administration’s infrastructure initiatives succeed, we might see increased investor confidence in previously less attractive neighborhoods that are now becoming more appealing to buyers and renters.

7. Remote Work Influencing Housing Preferences

The ongoing trend of remote work is changing housing preferences. Many employees have discovered that they can work just as effectively from home, leading to a growing desire for homes that offer more space and comfort, often found in suburban or rural areas. With property prices in larger cities continuing to rise, this shift towards suburban living could become even more prominent among young families and professionals seeking affordability and room to grow.

As remote work continues to redefine how and where people work and live, buyers might gravitate towards homes that provide enough space for both living and working. This shift could lead to more competition in suburban markets, as seen in PR Newswire reports, possibly making affordability more difficult in areas that were previously lower-cost.

8. Potential Inflationary Pressures

The Trump administration’s economic strategies, including tariffs and tax cuts, might lead to increased inflation. If the economy faces inflationary pressures, the real costs of borrowing could go up, making it more challenging for some buyers to afford a home. Higher prices for goods and services, including home prices, might lead to hesitation about making large investments like buying property, especially when future financial stability seems uncertain.

In this economic environment, future homeowners might reconsider their financial situations and delay plans to buy homes due to higher costs. Sustained inflation is expected to complicate the housing market, potentially leaving buyers in a cycle of waiting and uncertainty, as noted by CBS News.

We expect to see significant differences in the performance of the housing market across different regions. Local economies will play a big role in shaping home prices. Some markets might experience price increases due to economic growth and demand, while others might see prices decline because of weak economic conditions or an oversupply of homes.

Experts believe that factors like job availability, migration patterns, and local economic health will determine how the market fluctuates. Reports suggest that some regions might benefit from new employment opportunities while others might struggle with economic hardships leading to a decline in home values (Real Estate News).

10. A More Balanced Market Environment

Ultimately, predictions suggest that the housing market might move towards a more balanced state by 2025. We expect to see an increase in inventory and a slight increase in home sales, potentially creating conditions that are more favorable for buyers than in recent years. This balance might arise as pent-up demand meets new supply, which could result in a healthier market for those looking to buy or invest in property.

I believe that potential buyers might finally see some relief from the intense competition and high prices that have characterized the market in recent years.

Navigating the housing market over the next few years will require being aware and adapting to changes. Citizens, particularly those hoping to buy a home, should stay informed about new policies and economic shifts that will influence the housing market under the Trump administration’s policies. By understanding the potential trends and challenges, you can make more informed decisions about your real estate goals.

The post 10 Housing Market Predictions for the Next 4 Years Under Trump appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

This election appears like no other in US history. It will certainly go down as one of the most keenly contested, judging by the flurry of polls that suggest either candidate could win, even though Vice President Harris is slightly ahead, according to most of the polls.

According to the overall trends, rather than the individual points, Kamala Harris is just a point ahead in the national polls – with 48% to Donald Trump’s 47%.

Most Brutal Election As Polls Suggest Tight Race

The race between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump is still too close to call until Election Day. The polls suggest the race is still exceptionally close, and as of Monday, more than 78 million people had already voted.

The polling from The New York Times/Siena College and The New York Times/Philadelphia Inquirer/Siena College, released Sunday, found Harris garnered 49 per cent support from likely voters to Trump’s 46 per cent support in Nevada; 48 per cent support from likely voters to Trump’s 46 per cent in North Carolina; 49 per cent support from likely voters to Trump’s 47 per cent in Wisconsin; and 48 per cent support from likely voters to Trump’s 47 per cent in Georgia.

Trump came out ahead in the polls in Arizona, garnering 49 per cent support from likely voters compared to Harris’s 45 per cent. The two were tied at 47 per cent support from likely voters in Michigan and 48 per cent support from likely voters in Pennsylvania. Harris leads in the seven battleground states overall by 1 point, garnering 48 per cent support from likely voters compared to Trump’s 47 per cent.

The polling comes two days away from this year’s Election Day, which will follow a chaotic and highly polarised campaign cycle that featured two assassination attempts against Trump and President Biden exiting the race.

In an average of national polls from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, Trump is ahead of Harris by 0.2 points, with the former president earning 48.3 percent support and the vice president 48.1 percent.

The Times/Siena polling also showed good news for Democratic Senate candidates in the swing states. In seven states, 50 percent of the likely voters said they would “be more likely to vote for” a Democrat in the race, versus 45 percent saying they would be more likely to vote for a Republican.

The Times/Siena and Times/Inquirer/Siena polling took place between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1. There were 7,879 voters and a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 1.3 percentage points, with each state having around a plus or minus 3.5 percentage point margin of sampling error.

Trump visited Virginia and North Carolina on Saturday, while Harris was also in North Carolina and made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live in New York City.

The national polls are tightening even further. Harris is now only ahead by one point, within the margin of error.

Looking at the overall trends, rather than the individual points, Kamala Harris is just a point ahead in the national polls – with 48% to Donald Trump’s 47%.

However, the national vote shares will not determine the winner, which will likely be decided in seven battleground states that were very close last time and could be decisive in this election.

Trump has an edge of one to three points in each of Georgia, Arizona and North Carolina.

The other battlegrounds are even tighter. Trump is polling slightly higher in Pennsylvania and Nevada, while Harris looks marginally ahead in Michigan and Wisconsin.

It’s important to remember: Right now, the leads in the swing states are so small that it’s impossible to know who is really ahead. The individual polls used to create these averages usually have a margin of error of around three to four percentage points. Because the leads in all seven states fall within that margin, it means, in reality, either candidate could have the edge.

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris sent their closing messages to voters on Monday, the last day of campaigning before America elects its next president.

On Monday, both candidates were in a final sprint across crucial battleground states, with Harris campaigning in Pennsylvania and Trump heading to North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

What are swing states, and why do they matter? Watch the BBC’s North America editor Sarah Smith explain that here.

On Sunday, Harris vowed to do everything in her power to “end the war in Gaza” while Trump made claims, without providing any evidence, of election fraud in Pennsylvania.

The polls suggest the race is still exceptionally close, and more than 78 million people have already voted.

Where Each Candidate Stands On Key Issues

In rally after rally, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have pushed – and been pushed on – several issues that come to define this election. Here’s a reminder of each candidate’s view on some of them:

The economy: Repeatedly billed as the biggest issue for voters, Harris, as vice president, has worked with President Biden to pass legislation – including significant infrastructure and green energy investments. However, while growth and job creation have been strong, inflation and high interest rates continue to hit American wallets. Trump has, therefore, retained a persistent polling advantage on the issue, with a campaign promise to “end inflation and make America affordable again”.

Immigration: Harris has repeatedly voiced her continued support for the cross-party border security bill, which congressional Republicans torpedoed in February 2024 at Trump’s urging. She said she would revive the bill and sign it into law. Trump has vowed to seal the US border – after the number of border crossings hit record levels at the end of 2023 – and launch the biggest mass deportations of undocumented migrants in US history.

Abortion: Harris, who’s long supported abortion rights, has made the issue central to her campaign and says she wants legislation that’d safeguard reproductive rights nationwide. Trump has struggled to find a consistent message on abortion – after he appointed three Supreme Court judges who went on to play a pivotal role in the overturning of Roe v Wade.

Israel-Gaza war: Harris has been a long-time advocate for a two-state solution in the region and has called for an end to the war in Gaza. But she has not supported the arms embargo on Israel. Trump has positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel and condemned pro-Palestinian supporters on US college campuses. At times, he’s been critical of the way Israel has conducted the war.

Climate change: On numerous occasions, Trump has called climate change a “hoax” perpetrated by the Chinese government to try to weaken the U.S. economy.

He also consistently portrays environmental regulations as foolish because they are anti-business and has attacked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its staff of “rogue bureaucrats,” who he blames for enacting rules that inhibit the oil and gas industry.

Trump also routinely misrepresents scientific findings on the impacts of climate change. “The oceans are going to rise one-eighth of an inch over the next 300 years,” Trump said at a campaign rally in July. “We’ll have a little bit more beachfront property; that’s not the worst thing in the world.”

Harris’s position is different. During the September presidential debate, Harris chided Trump for saying climate change is a “hoax.” Still, she proceeded to tout what some might consider a contradictory message when fighting rising global temperatures.

“As vice president over the last four years, we have invested over $1 trillion in a clean energy economy while we have also increased domestic gas production to historic levels,” Harris said.

Unlike Trump, Harris regularly discusses climate change in terms of its already significant economic impact on the American people.

“I do believe that elected leaders must protect our communities,” Harris said during a 2022 briefing on climate resiliency in Miami. “And the climate crisis has made that duty more important than ever.”

Harris has also been consistent about the need to slash greenhouse gas emissions.

“The science is clear,” she said in Miami. “Extreme weather will only get worse, and the climate crisis will only accelerate.’’

She has not explained how continuing to increase domestic gas production will help address what she has called an “existential threat.”

European Capitals Watch With Hopes, Fears

The mood in Europe suggests many are rooting for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in this tight contest.

Europe is paying close attention to the US presidential election on Tuesday, which the polls said is currently too close to call. Several vital states are in play at the same time, and neither Vice President Kamala Harris nor former President Donald Trump has been able to establish a clear lead.

At stake are not just domestic US issues but the future of the country’s trade relations and foreign policy — in particular, its relationship with NATO in a time of war.

George Dimitropoulos in Athens, Greece, a recent poll showed that 46% of Greek citizens believe the US’s first female vice president will also become the first female president. In comparison, only 32% of citizens think Donald Trump will return to the White House.

As for Greek national interests, 30% of Greeks believe that Kamala Harris is closer to their priorities — and only 10% believe that Donald Trump will be better for their country.

In Berlin, Germany, a lot is riding on these elections. Polling shows that two-thirds of Germans would prefer Harris to be the next US president, with only 12% preferring a Trump victory. On the domestic front, those 12% also say they would vote for the AfD.

Regardless of the outcome, the US will likely look increasingly toward its problems, which could have severe consequences for NATO.

The government has turned the US presidential election into a domestic political issue in Budapest, Hungary. Even the announcement of next year’s budget has been postponed because if Trump wins, there will be peace in Ukraine, and peace requires a different budget from war.

Viktor Orbán was one of the first foreign leaders to back Trump in 2016 and has stuck with him ever since. Polls show his voters are on board, with 75% wanting Trump to win and only 1% supporting Harris.

However, of the opposition parties, only the far-right Our Country Party’s voters appear to be backing Trump.

In Lisbon, Portugal, people are rooting for Kamala Harris over Trump. A study by Intercampus shows that 70% would vote for the Democratic candidate. According to the survey, Portugal’s citizens mostly believe Harris is the likely winner; only 28% said they were convinced that Donald Trump would win.

As for the impact of the outcome, about 65% believe that the choice will influence the economy, social progress and management of armed conflicts in Portugal.

In Madrid, Spain, a recent report by the Franklin Institute of the University of Alcalá reveals that 75% of Spaniards believe a Harris victory would be better for Spain than Trump’s return.

Six out of 10 Spaniards think that the Democratic candidate is more likely to win. While the socialist government has openly announced its support for Kamala Harris, the ruling Popular Party has decided not to take an official position before the election.

In Paris, The US elections are attracting much public interest in France. According to a survey by YouGov, 1 in 2 French people said they have been following the presidential campaign for several weeks.

More than half are men and live in Paris. 55% of those questioned want Kamala Harris to win, while only 1 in 5 French people would vote for Trump.

Finally, one in 3 people think that Kamala Harris is the best candidate to solve the global crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. Only 22% believe Trump would be the best on foreign policy.

People in Rome, Italy, are watching these elections closely, feeling that a lot is at stake. These elections won’t just shape the future of the US; from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to the strength of China, they will also impact the global order and certainly Europe.

According to a recent poll published in Italy by YouTrend, most Italians would choose Kamala Harris as the new president, with 78% supporting her and only 22% backing Donald Trump.

Wall Street Struggles As Uncertainty Around US Election Grows

U.S. stock indexes slipped in choppy trading on Monday as investors braced for a pivotal week for global markets. Americans will elect a new president, and the Federal Reserve will likely cut its benchmark policy rate.

Caution prevailed as the winner of the tightly contested election between Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump might not be known for days after the voting ends on Tuesday.

Some so-called “Trump trades” lost ground after a recent poll showed Harris leading in Iowa, triggering a retreat in the dollar, bond yields and bitcoin.

Harris’ odds have improved on several betting sites, an election indicator many market participants monitor closely.

Stocks turned lower despite a drop in the benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield. Volatile trading is expected in the run-up to the election outcome as investors await clarity on the policy implications.

“It’s a bit of calm before the storm this week … the bond market may be fading a little bit from the highs last week on some of the new poll numbers coming out, suggesting a tighter race,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial.

“The playbooks of the 2016 and 2020 (elections) might be thrown out the window… what dictates the level of volatility will be when we get results.”

CBOE’s VIX measure of expected equity volatility (.VIX) opens a new tab and trades at 22.54, well above its 30-day moving average of 19.45.

Stocks viewed as bets on a Trump win also jumped between losses and gains. Trump Media & Technology Group (DJT.O) opened a new tab and was last up 1.4%.

Lower bond yields boosted rate-sensitive small-cap stocks, with the Russell 2000 (.RUT) opening a new tab, gaining 0.5%.

Investors, meanwhile, remained essentially sure of a 25 basis point interest-rate cut by the Fed in its November meeting, whose decision is expected on Thursday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) opened a new tab and fell 397.83 points, or 0.95%, to 41,654.14. The S&P 500 (.SPX) opened a new tab and lost 27.52 points, or 0.48%, to 5,701.28. The Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC) opened a new tab and lost 73.98 points, or 0.41%, to 18,165.94.

An index of energy stocks (SPNY) opens a new tab that rose 1.4% as oil prices rose after OPEC+ delayed plans to increase output.

Most megacap stocks lost ground, with Tesla (TSLA.O) opening a new tab, dropping 1.8% as the EV maker’s China-made vehicle sales fell in October.

However, chip heavyweight Nvidia (NVDA.O) opened a new tab and rose 1.6% after S&P Dow Jones Indices said the company would replace Intel’s (INTC.O) on Friday, opening a new tab in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Intel’s 4.3% slide weighed on the Dow.

European Stocks Close Lower Ahead of US Election

European markets closed lower on Monday as traders awaited the U.S. presidential election due on Tuesday.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 provisionally closed down by 0.3%. Regional bourses and sectors were broadly in the red.

Banks led the gains by sector, trading up 0.7%, while technology stocks closed 1.1% lower.

Oil shares soared Monday as crude prices rose more than 2%, following OPEC+’s decision to delay plans to increase production. The sector closed up by 0.4%.

Shares of Burberry closed 4.8% higher after a media report over the weekend suggested that its peer Moncler is mulling a bid for the British luxury retailer.

Global markets are gearing up for a critical week, with the latest U.S. presidential election poll from NBC News showing a “deadlocked race” between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris.

Global market aftershocks may hinge heavily on which party takes charge of Congress due to the vote.

A divided U.S. House of Representatives and Senate would likely maintain the political status quo of the world’s largest economy.

A Republican or Democratic sweep, however, would likely be coupled with a White House victory for the same party and could translate into fresh spending plans or a tax overhaul.

10 Reasons Either Harris Or Trump Can Win

Former US President Donald Trump is facing the most brutal battle of his life in his bid to return to the White House, which he left about four years ago.

The Republican candidate faces a real threat from his rival, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, in a deadlocked race—both at the national level and in the all-important battleground states.

The polls are so close, within the margin of error, that either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris could be two or three points better off – enough to win comfortably.

There is a compelling case to make for why each may have the edge when building a coalition of voters in the right places and ensuring their turnout.

There is the history-making possibility that a defeated president might be re-elected for the first time in 130 years.

1. Trump could win because he is not in power

The economy is the number one issue for voters, and while unemployment is low and the stock market is booming, most Americans say they are struggling with higher prices every day.

Inflation hit levels not seen since the 1970s in the aftermath of the pandemic, giving Trump a chance to ask, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”

In 2024, voters worldwide threw out the party in power several times, partly due to the high cost of living post-COVID. US voters also seem hungry for change.

Only a quarter of Americans say they are satisfied with the country’s current direction, and two-thirds have a poor economic outlook.

Harris has tried to be the so-called change candidate, but as vice president, she has struggled to distance herself from an unpopular Joe Biden.

2. He seems impervious to bad news

Despite the fallout from the 6 January 2021 riot at the US Capitol, a string of indictments and an unprecedented criminal conviction, Trump’s support has remained stable all year at 40% or above.

While Democrats and “Never-Trump” conservatives say he is unfit for office, most Republicans agree when Trump says he’s the victim of a political witch-hunt.

With both sides so dug in, he needs to win over enough of the small slice of undecided voters without a fixed view of him.

3. His warnings on illegal immigration resonate

Beyond the state of the economy, an issue with an emotional pull often decides elections.

Democrats will hope for abortion, while Trump is betting on its immigration.

After encounters at the border hit record levels under Biden, and the influx-impacted states far from the border, polls suggest voters trust Trump more on immigration – and that he is doing much better with Latinos than in previous elections.

4. A lot more people don’t have a degree than do

Trump’s appeal to voters who feel forgotten and left behind has transformed US politics by turning traditional Democratic constituencies like union workers into Republicans and making the protection of American industry by tariffs almost the norm.

If he drives up turnout in rural and suburban parts of swing states, this can offset the loss of moderate, college-educated Republicans.

5. He’s seen as a strong man in an unstable world

Trump’s detractors say he undermines America’s alliances by cosying up to authoritarian leaders.

However, the former president sees his unpredictability as a strength and points out that no significant wars started when he was in the White House.

Many Americans are angry, for different reasons, with the US sending billions to Ukraine and Israel – and think America is weaker under Biden.

A majority of voters, especially men who Trump has courted through podcasts like Joe Rogan’s, see Trump as a more decisive leader than Harris.

Kamala Harris

1. Harris could win because She’s not Trump

Despite Trump’s advantages, he remains a deeply polarising figure.

In 2020, he won a record number of votes for a Republican candidate but was defeated because seven million more Americans turned out to support Biden.

Harris is playing up the fear factor about a Trump return this time. She’s called him a “fascist” and a threat to democracy while vowing to move on from “drama and conflict”.

A July Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that four in five Americans felt the country was spiralling out of control. Harris will hope voters—especially moderate Republicans and independents—see her as a candidate for stability.

2. She’s also not Biden

When Biden dropped out of the race, Democrats faced near-certain defeat. United in their desire to beat Trump, the party quickly rallied around Harris. With impressive speed from a standing start, she delivered a more forward-looking message that excited the base.

While Republicans have tied her to Biden’s more unpopular policies, Harris has rendered some of their Biden-specific attack lines redundant.

The clearest of these is age—polls consistently suggested voters had real concerns about Biden’s fitness for office. The race has flipped, and Trump is vying to become the oldest person ever to win the White House.

3. She’s championed women’s rights

This is the first presidential election since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade and the constitutional right to an abortion.

Voters concerned about protecting abortion rights overwhelmingly back Harris, and we’ve seen in past elections – notably the 2022 midterms – that the issue can drive turnout and have a tangible impact on the result.

This time around, ten states, including the swing state Arizona, will have ballot initiatives asking voters how abortion should be regulated. This could boost turnout in Harris’s favour.

The historic nature of her bid to become the first female president may also strengthen her significant lead among women voters.

4. Her voters are more likely to show up

Harris is polling more strongly with groups more likely to vote, such as the college-educated and older people.

Democrats ultimately perform better with high-turnout groups, while Trump has made gains with relatively low-turnout groups such as young men and those without college degrees.

According to a New York Times/Siena poll, Trump holds a massive lead among registered voters who didn’t vote in 2020. A key question is whether they will show up this time.

5. She’s raised – and spent – more money

It’s no secret that American elections are expensive, and 2024 is on track to be the most expensive ever.

But when it comes to spending power, Harris is at the top. She’s raised more since becoming the candidate in July than Trump has in the entire period since January 2023, according to a recent Financial Times analysis, which also noted that her campaign had spent almost twice as much on advertising.

This could play a role in a razor-tight race that will ultimately be decided by voters in swing states currently being bombarded by political ads.

Source: Leadership

The post HARRIS VS TRUMP… US Decides In Make-or-Mar Presidential Poll appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

“I think housing is just going to continue to be one of those top issues that voters are concerned about,” said Brian Connolly, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. “

The policies

Considering that concern, the campaigns for the White House have detailed plans to make housing more affordable.

The Harris campaign has proposed extending the low-income housing credit and providing $25,000 in down payment in assistance for first-time buyers. In addition, Harris wants to build three million new houses with tax incentives for building middle-income housing.

“She would like to continue the Biden administration’s efforts to go after some of the Algorithmic approaches to setting rents that are used by multifamily owners around the country, and perhaps that would be in the form of antitrust action,” Connolly added.

Trump supports tax incentives and support for first time buyers. He also backs increased spending on housing for homeless veterans and says his plans to restrict immigration and curb inflation will bring home prices down.

“He’s also talked about, exercising more control over the Federal Reserve,” Connolly said. The president, would have more involvement in setting interest rates.”

Both candidates support easing restrictive zoning laws and building houses on federal land. “It’s not super clear how they would do that, just because a lot of regulation of the housing market happens at the local level,” Connolly said. “Just because the federal government wants to cut regulation doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be able to do that because all that’s happening at the local level.

Solutions

Connolly emphasized his view that any robust policy agenda to bring down affordable housing would require building more supply. “If we’re not adding new housing supply into the market, then just inducing more demand means that those housing prices that are out there today are just going to continue to get bid up,” he said.

“Any of those demand side subsidies are going to need to be coupled with increases in housing supply.”

Those concerns were echoed by Yarrow Brown, the executive director of Housing North, a group that works to find housing solutions in northwest lower Michigan. “We are in what I would call a housing crisis in Northwest Michigan,” she said. “We’ve had a low housing stock since the market crashed in 2008.”

Brown said that there isn’t enough housing to go around, and wages aren’t keeping up with housing prices. Moreover, there is a labor shortage for home builders.

She recommended a few policy solutions, one of them was streamlining the regulatory and zoning process.

“We need to cultivate more labor force to build the housing in our region, but we also need places for people to live. Any way we can streamline the approval process in our region and help get projects through to the finish line quicker is needed for sure.”

She was in favor of down payment assistance. “Any federal assistance that can help lower the cost and get people into homeownership would be huge,” Brown said.

Another federal policy agenda that would help, Brown said, would be allocation of federal vouchers for low-income housing.

The state currently has 85,000 people on its Section 8 waitlist. “If there were housing units and there were those vouchers available, we could get people housed,” Brown said. “We simply just don’t have enough units, and we don’t have enough vouchers allocated to Michigan to be able to meet the demand.”

The post As prices rise, Trump and Harris plan to change housing policy appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Since taking office, Biden has implemented various policies to promote affordable home construction and preservation, ease regulations that restrict home building, and provide subsidies for homeownership and renting. In contrast, Trump, during his presidency, proposed significant cuts to federal housing assistance for the neediest households, rolled back certain fair housing policies, and encouraged states and cities to pursue zoning reforms, a goal also supported by progressives.

Bipartisan efforts have been made at the federal level to address the housing crisis. Generally, Republicans prefer state and local control over housing policy, while Democrats favor federal subsidies and intervention. Lawmakers across the political spectrum acknowledge the country’s housing crisis, marked by a 47% rise in home prices since the pandemic, mortgage interest rates around 7%, and over half of renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing, according to a recent Harvard report.

Biden’s Housing Policies:

President Biden has advocated for more federal involvement in housing policy, including the “Housing Supply Action” plan, which leverages federal grants and loans to encourage states and cities to loosen land use regulations and boost affordable housing supply. His fiscal year 2025 budget proposal includes $258 billion for housing initiatives, such as tax credits for first-time homebuyers and expansions of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and housing choice vouchers for renters.

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Biden has also discussed housing policies in his State of the Union address and on the campaign trail. Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced $85 million in funding for 21 cities to subsidize affordable housing development and supportive infrastructure.

Trump’s Housing Policies:

As president, Trump did not pursue many policies directly aimed at making housing more affordable. His proposed budgets included significant cuts to federal housing subsidies and community development aid. He rolled back certain fair housing protections and created “Opportunity Zones” to incentivize business investment in low-income neighborhoods, though the program had little impact on affordable housing.

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Trump has not frequently addressed housing policy on the campaign trail but has criticized Biden’s efforts. He has proposed building up to 10 new American cities on federal land to give families “a new shot at homeownership” and has promised to crack down on urban camping and immigration, which he claims would relieve pressure on the housing market.

As the debate approaches, housing costs remain a major concern for Americans, with a recent Gallup poll showing that housing costs are the second-most pressing financial issue for US adults. The concern is bipartisan, with 83% of Democrats and 68% of Republicans viewing the lack of affordable homes as a significant problem.

The post Biden and Trump Differ on Lowering Home Prices and Rents appeared first on Housing TV Africa.