Who is Usha Vance, the next second lady of the United States?

Technology

JD Vance has had several introductions to the American people: as the author of a memoir on what ails the white working class, a newly elected Republican senator in his home state of Ohio, a controversial running mate pick and the next vice president of the United States.His wife, Usha, has been a key part of each iteration.More than most political spouses, she has avoided the spotlight and favored a more private, background role on the Trump campaign. But the Yale-educated lawyer was beside her husband at Donald Trump’s election night watch party in West Palm Beach as voters made him the 47th president – and her, in turn, the first Asian American second lady. She is also the first second lady with a Hindu background.JD Vance thanked her for “making it possible to do this” in a post on X after the Republican ticket’s win.The future second lady has avoided talking about how she would approach the role. Asked what subject areas she’d focus on, she told NBC News last month that she would “see what happens on Nov. 5, and collect some information myself and take it from there.”“This is such an intense and busy experience that I have not given a ton of thought to my own roles and responsibilities,” she said. “It’s not something I’m terribly familiar with.”The Vances have three young children: ages 7, 4 and 2.The Ohio senator, who has only been in office since January 2023, faced questions over both his lack of political experience and his transition from 2016 Trump critic to heir to the MAGA movement. Usha Vance played an understated but key role in helping introduce him to the public.“Sometimes people say that he’s changed a lot, but the truth is I’ve known him now for so many years, and he’s always been so true to himself,” she told Newsmax during a 2022 interview with her husband.Usha Vance made campaign appearances alongside her husband across the country, ranging from visiting a Baptist church in Damascus, Virginia, to a sports bar in Greenville, North Carolina. JD Vance said in September that his wife was doing a “little bit of homeschooling” while their kids were on the campaign trail.In her first solo interview on Fox News in August, Usha Vance defended controversial remarks her husband made prior to joining the GOP ticket, including his deriding of childless adults. She also downplayed his labeling of some Democratic politicians as “childless cat ladies,” calling it a “quip.”“JD, absolutely at the time and today, would never, ever, ever want to say something to hurt someone who was trying to have a family, who really was struggling with that,” she said at the time. “I also understand there are a lot of other reasons why people may choose not to have families, and many of those reasons are very good.”For years, the senator has described his wife as a key part of his success, dating back to when the two attended law school together at Yale University, where Usha Vance also graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree.In his 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” JD Vance described her as his “Yale spirit guide,” helping him navigate life at the elite university where they met.“She instinctively understood the questions I didn’t even know to ask, and she always encouraged me to seek opportunities that I didn’t know existed,” he wrote.The two were married in an interfaith ceremony in Kentucky in 2014 – Usha Vance’s family is Hindu, while her husband converted to Catholicism in 2019.The daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha Chilukuri grew up in a suburb of San Diego. After college – two stints at Yale and a masters of philosophy at the University of Cambridge – she clerked for two Supreme Court justices – Brett Kavanaugh when he served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and Chief Justice John Roberts.In 2015, she started as an associate at Munger, Tolles & Olson, a law firm with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC. She continued working at the firm between clerkships, where – according to an archived version of her employee biography – she handled “complex civil litigation and appeals” in sectors that included “higher education, local government, entertainment, and technology, including semiconductors.”The firm announced that she had resigned shortly after Trump selected Vance as his running mate.“Usha has informed us she has decided to leave the firm,” the company said in a statement. “Usha has been an excellent lawyer and colleague, and we thank her for her years of work and wish her the best in her future career.”In July, as the Ohio delegation chanted her husband’s name on the Republican convention floor in Milwaukee, Usha Vance stood beside the first-term senator and applauded as he was nominated by voice vote to be Trump’s running mate.Weeks earlier, the trial lawyer and former judicial clerk had admitted she wasn’t “raring” to completely upend the life she and her husband had built together or to face the attention that would follow.“I don’t know that anyone is ever ready for that kind of scrutiny,” she told Fox News in June during a joint interview with the senator at their home in Ohio. “I think we found the first campaign that he embarked on to be a shock. It was so different from anything we’d ever done before. But it was an adventure.”She added that she was open to seeing how things unfolded.

JD Vance has had several introductions to the American people: as the author of a memoir on what ails the white working class, a newly elected Republican senator in his home state of Ohio, a controversial running mate pick and the next vice president of the United States.His wife, Usha, has been a key part of each iteration.

A travel expert who has been to 55 countries says these pricey destinations are better during the fall shoulder season

Travel

Travel

A travel expert who has been to 55 countries says these pricey destinations are better during the fall shoulder season

Joey Hadden

2024-11-08T10:22:02Z

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London, Paris, and New York City may be more enjoyable to visit in the fall during shoulder season.

SHansche/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Visiting popular destinations during shoulder season can often mean smaller crowds.Shoulder season, between the peak and offseason, offers less congestion and lower travel costs.Fall can be ideal for visiting US and European destinations with better weather and fewer tourists.

Madison Reading Project celebrates 10 years of giving books to kids

Arts & Culture, Books

Rowan Childs and Deirdre Steinmetz were raised in households surrounded by books and developed a love of reading at an early age. Now, as co-directors of the Madison Reading Project, they’re working to spark that passion in youngsters who haven’t enjoyed those same advantages. Since its inception in 2014, the Madison Reading Project has become a leading force for youth literacy. It provides free books to underserved children throughout the greater Dane County area. Last year alone, the Madison Reading Project gave away over 100,000 new books  and is on track for similar results this year. 

The organization—which has 12 staff members and a fully active board—has enjoyed tremendous support through financial contributions to purchase engaging books in bulk and to receive new book donations from supporters. Its headquarters at 1337 Greenway Cross is a hub for storing and distributing a wide range of books tailored to various young readers.  “This community cares deeply about educating our young people, and I think our growth reflects that concern,” says Childs. The Madison Reading Project offers programs across different age groups. For instance, the “My First Pages” program targets 0-5-year-olds, connecting families and educators with new books and literacy resources. A partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library also provides children five and under with one book per month delivered to their homes, serving over 12,000 children in Dane County. The Books for Educators program allows K-12 teachers and social workers to schedule free shopping appointments, selecting up to 25 books per year. The project takes the show on the road through initiatives such as the Free Book Fair and Little Free Libraries stationed throughout Dane County. The group’s colorful Big Red Reading Bus has become synonymous with its outreach efforts, with a second bus brought into service earlier this year. It is much larger and impressively ADA-compliant, fitted with a lift to help all kids access the joy of books. Going to where kids are is an integral part of the initiative.  Distributing new books and providing literacy resources doesn’t happen for free. The Madison Reading Project holds two major fundraising events yearly: the Read(y) to Wear fashion show in June, where paper-crafted outfits are showcased, and the Community Book Drive, which launches on Nov. 6 and runs for the following four weeks. 

Find out moreFind out more at madisonreadingproject.com. Rowan, how did you come up with the concept for the Madison Reading Project? After helping my own child identify what he liked to read when he was in first grade, I started to research the literary disparities in Dane County. I was shocked when the first Race to Equity report came out in 2013, highlighting the immense discrepancies in literacy rates in Dane County. So, with $1,000 in seed money and collaborators Will Green and Stephanie Berto, we started working with 30 kids in our pilot program at Salvation Army on Darbo Drive. A year later, we filed our non-profit paperwork; the rest is history. Deirdre, why did you decide to get involved? My mom was a librarian in a rural southwest Wisconsin town, so I spent a significant amount of time surrounded by books as a kid.  I’ve worked in education and child care my entire life so when the opportunity to work with the Madison Reading Project was sent my way, the mission immediately clicked with me on a personal level.  I knew what it was like to have limited financial means but also have access to any book that I wanted to read.  I know now what a blessing that was and how important it is for kids to have access to books that reflect their interests and identities. Rowan, how does the Community Book Drive work? We work with individuals and businesses in our community to raise awareness and funds for our mission and to support our annual holiday giving partnerships. Every dollar raised during the Community Book Drive supports our holiday book giving for children and helps restock our shelves for the new year. We partner with the Empty Stocking Club and many charitable toy-giving organizations to ensure each kid gets a new book along with a toy. This year is especially momentous for us since we’re celebrating 10 years of giving free books to children and families in the greater Dane County area. 

Tourists accused of stealing historic artefacts from Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Travel

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreTwo tourists are facing criminal charges after allegedly stealing, trespassing and disrupting historic artefacts at the Cave Springs Cowboy Camp in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, from Durango, Colorado, are alleged to have “entered a fenced-off area” of the historic site where they then handled and stole antique artefacts.According to an official statement released by the US Attorney’s Office, the historic camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings prohibiting visitors from entering the area. CCTV footage appears to show the pair entering the site holding a bottle of beer, removing artefacts from a cabinet and handling historic harnesses “in a manner that had potential to damage them”.The incident, which occurred in May, has led the pair to be accused of stealing “antique nails” on display. Canyonlands National Park shared images of the pair on X, formerly Twitter, in the spring in a bid to identify the suspects. The pair captured at the historic site on CCTV

How did the Canadian government restrict TikTok’s parent company this week? Take our business and investing news quiz

Business News

Open this photo in gallery:Last year, the Canadian government prohibited use of the TikTok app by public servants.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian PressWelcome to The Globe and Mail’s business and investing news quiz. Join us each week to test your knowledge of the stories making the headlines. Our business reporters come up with the questions, and you can show us what you know.This week: You might not have heard, but the United States has a new president-elect. Former president Donald Trump defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s presidential election. Markets rallied after his decisive win, spurred by promises of reduced regulations and protectionist tariffs. In other American news, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on Thursday as policymakers noted inflation continues to slide to the U.S. central bank’s 2-per-cent target. The bank’s rate-setting committee lowered the benchmark overnight interest rate to the range of 4.50 per cent to 4.75 per cent, as widely expected.

The party’s over? Why Goa’s foreign tourism has ‘dropped by 60 per cent’

Travel

For decades, Goa has been one of the must-visit holiday destinations in India. From the idyllic beaches to the unique cultural blend, this Indian beach paradise drew visitors from around the world year after year.But today, international arrivals in the beach state have dropped by a staggering 60 per cent, leaving the once-bustling shores noticeably quieter and local businesses worried about the future.As per the local daily OHeraldo, in 2019, Goa welcomed nearly 9.4 lakh foreign tourists, but by 2023, this figure shrank to just 4.03 lakh by November.AdvertisementThe decline has left the tourism sector the crucial part of the state’s economy and one that’s heavily reliant on international visitors with profound challenges.“Foreign tourists have abandoned the state already. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead,” Ramanuj Mukherjee, an entrepreneur, wrote on X flagging the alarming drop in foreign tourists. His post has garnered more than 2 million views.Tourism in Goa is down in dumpsForeign tourists have abandoned the state already. Look at 2019 v 2023 numbers. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead.Indian tourists still visiting, but soon likely to ditch it as word spreads about… pic.twitter.com/RF2TLC2Zvi— Ramanuj Mukherjee (@law_ninja) November 5, 2024But why are foreign tourists drifting away from Goa? Here’s a closer look.Notorious rise of ’taxi mafias’Goa’s tourism industry is facing an unexpected challenge from what locals call the ‘taxi mafia’—a powerful group that dominates the state’s taxi services, often at the expense of both tourists and residents.These taxi operators have gained a reputation for their inflated fares, lack of metered services, and disregard for government regulations. For many tourists, particularly foreigners, this results in unpleasant encounters, leaving them feeling overcharged and taken advantage of.Advertisement“Goa is doomed all thanks to the alliance of local taxi mafia and administration,” an X user expressed, reflecting growing frustrations among visitors.Some tourists have even reported feeling threatened when negotiating fares or attempting to secure a fair price, with taxi drivers sometimes refusing service altogether if their high demands aren’t met.In one instance, an X user shared how he faced hostility from over 10 taxi drivers when he tried to pick up a German friend from a popular beach. “Goa’s taxi mafia is responsible for it,” he wrote, revealing that a German tourist had to pay Rs 1,800 for a 37-kilometre ride.AdvertisementGoa’s taxi mafia is responsible for it. 100%I went to pick up a friend (from Germany) from Benaulim Beach and I was accompanied by another friend (a local Goan). A taxi guy (in Benaulim) saw us, he stopped us and in no time there were 10+ taxi drivers ready to beat us up. The… https://t.co/V43IsQXBm9— Madhur (@ThePlacardGuy) November 5, 2024Fitness influencer Chirag Barjatya also recounted a similar encounter: “Once in Goa, we gave a lift to a foreign tourist in our car. Some taxi guy stopped us and asked us to get him down, or they would break the car. Goa tourism is ruined majorly by how taxi mafia behaved,” he wrote.AdvertisementThis situation is further exacerbated by the absence of online ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber, which operate in most major tourist cities in India. When Ola attempted to launch in Goa in 2014, taxi unions went on strike, pressuring the government to block the apps.With limited transport options, tourists in Goa often have no choice but to accept the steep rates, leading to negative reviews, frustration and dissatisfaction.The geopolitical factorThe ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and the unrest between Israel and Palestine have significantly reduced the number of tourists from these regions, according to O Heraldo.Previously, Goa welcomed around five charter flights daily from Russia, but now only a few flights arrive weekly, reported The Goan Everyday.Similarly, Israeli tourists, who once visited Goa frequently, are now staying away as political instability in West Asia continues, causing charter flights from Israel to be suspended.Israeli tourists, who once visited Goa frequently, are now staying away as political instability in West Asia continues, causing charter flights from Israel to be suspended.“Only a few flights are available, but the tickets have become very expensive. I arrived here on a one-month visa, which will soon expire. We came here with a group of five people. Three of them have already returned to volunteer in the Army,” an Israeli national told The Indian Express.“I have cancelled plans to travel to other cities. In the midst of this violence, I feel guilty if I go to the beach So, we come here for solidarity and to pray for our loved ones,” she added.AdvertisementThe reduced number of foreign tourists is impacting businesses too. Cruz Cardozo, President of Shack Welfare Owners Society (SWOS) told OHeralado in April, “The quality of the number of foreign tourists has come down drastically. In fact, even Indian tourists are less at shacks. The situation is such that some shacks are running empty as they cannot manage their daily expenses.”Beyond these geopolitical challenges, India’s delays in e-visa processing for UK nationals have further complicated the situation, reducing the number of European tourists and affecting Goa’s steady stream of international visitors.‘Thailand is better’Ramanuj Mukherjee recently observed that although Indian tourists continue to visit Goa, many might reconsider due to the state’s high prices and declining infrastructure compared to other South Asian destinations.“People believe Goa suffers from over-tourism. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia and coastal Spain welcome far more visitors at a lower cost, with better transportation, higher living standards, and well-preserved environments. We’re failing Goa,” commented an X user, voicing growing discontent.although Indian tourists continue to visit Goa, many might reconsider due to the state’s high prices and declining infrastructure compared to other South Asian destinations. Image for Representation. PixabayAnother user remarked that Goa has lost its appeal as a budget-friendly option, stating, “Goa has the worst infrastructure of any international beach destination I’ve visited,” and noted that Thailand’s Phuket offers better amenities at a fraction of Goa’s costs.Also read:
Globe-trotters: Why more Indians are travelling the worldVijay Mehta, a fund manager had earlier highlighted in a Business Today report that rising costs in Goa are eroding its competitive edge. “It’s cheaper to go to Hanoi than Goa,” he noted, adding, “Vietnam is the new Thailand with mass affordable tours, direct flights, and good value for money.”Many tourists might reconsider their destinations due to Goa’s high prices and declining infrastructure compared to other South Asian destinations. Image for Representation. AFPResponding to these social media concerns, Goa Tourism issued a statement seeking to provide an “accurate” perspective.“Like any other destination, Goa is subject to market forces. At times, high travel and accommodation costs can make it seem expensive, leading some to explore alternatives. However, Goa has consistently risen to such challenges and will remain a premier destination for diverse travellers.”As the peak season from November to March unfolds, all eyes are on Goa to see how it addresses these challenges and retains its appeal to visitors.With input from agencies