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From 2023 until September 2024, the Republican National Committee and affiliates have filed or are involved in 72 cases – and what stands out is their subject matter
The fight to vote is supported byAbout this contentSam Levine in New YorkWed 16 Oct 2024 16.00 BSTShareNearly four years after waging an aggressive legal effort to overturn the 2020 elections, Republicans have filed a slew of lawsuits that appear to be aimed at seeding doubt about the outcome of the 2024 race in the event of a Donald Trump loss.
Republicans’ non-citizen voting myth sets stage to claim stolen electionRead moreFrom 2023 until September of this year, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and local affiliates have filed or are involved in at least 72 cases, according to an analysis by Democracy Docket, a left-leaning voting rights news platform founded by the Democratic lawyer Marc Elias. At the same point during the 2022 midterm election, Republicans had filed 41 lawsuits.
There’s nothing unusual about an explosion of litigation over election rules ahead of a presidential election. But experts say what stands out this year isn’t the volume of the cases but their subject matter.
Many of the lawsuits are based on a theory that states are not adequately maintaining their voter rolls and that there could be scores of ineligible voters, including non-citizens, on them. They make weak legal claims, election experts say, and instead appear to be more of a public relations effort to motivate Republican voters and echo Trump’s falsehoods about voting.
“The underlying claims in the suits are based on totally unreliable data, shoddy methodology, and basically the claims are garbage,” said Ben Berwick, a lawyer at the non-profit group Protect Democracy. “They are also, in this case, brought by election deniers, in an attempt to spread a false narrative to mislead the public and undermine confidence in elections.”
“If the fraud theme of 2020 was ‘Covid is allowing ineligible people to vote or ballots to be manipulated’, the 2024 theme seems to be ‘illegals are voting’, and that fits in very much with the kind of nativist anti-immigrant language coming from the top of the Republican ticket,” said Richard Hasen, an election law scholar at the University of California Los Angeles.
In Nevada, a swing state, Republicans claimed in a suit filed in September there were nearly 4,000 non-citizens on the rolls who appear to have voted.
It was a claim that the Nevada secretary of state, at the time a Republican, already investigated and debunked (she said that those people were probably naturalized citizens). Republicans claim the state should have investigated more and also cited data from the cooperative congressional elections survey to suggest that there may be even more non-citizens on the rolls, but the authors of the study have long warned against using its data to try to claim there are non-citizens on the rolls.
In North Carolina, another battleground this year, the RNC also filed two misleading lawsuits designed to give the impression that the state was not properly vetting its voters. In late August, the RNC accused election officials of not following a new law that requires them to use juror information to verify citizenship information. The state board of elections said the claim was flatly untrue.
The RNC separately sued to potentially invalidate the registrations of 225,000 people for lacking information that’s required under federal law. A 2002 statute, the Help America Vote Act, requires voters to provide either their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number when they register.
In North Carolina 225,000 people don’t have that information recorded in the state’s voter registration database, but experts have noted that doesn’t necessarily mean that they lack that information. Voters may have registered before the law went into effect, or the absence may reflect clerical errors. Experts say such minor errors shouldn’t lead to wide swaths of voters getting disenfranchised.
“If they’re talking about 225,000 people disenfranchised for a clerical error that was not their fault, I think that would be a wild overreaction,” Sam Oliker-Friedland, the executive director of the Institute for Responsive Government, a watchdog group, told the Raleigh News and Observer. “It would just simply mean that people can’t vote because of paperwork, and that’s not a fair outcome.”
Asked for comment for this story, the Republican National Committee provided a statement from Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s national press secretary, that contained a number of falsehoods about voting.
“Kamala’s open border is flooding illegal migrants into our country at the most dangerous rate we’ve ever seen. As this invasion escalates, Democrats are pushing for non-citizens to vote and influence the future of our country,” the statement said. While a handful of localities allow non-citizens to vote in local elections, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.
“While radical Democrats have allowed non-citizen voting in California and DC, states such as Walz’s Minnesota have no system to keep non-citizens off the rolls, resulting in an open door to illegal voting,” she added. Incidents of non-citizen voting are extremely rare. “This is no coincidence, and Democrats aren’t even trying to hide their election interference schemes. President Trump will secure the border and secure our elections so that every American vote is protected.”
The Harris-Walz campaign described the 2024 election as “the most litigious presidential election in American history, even more than 2020”, and said it had hundreds of lawyers in courts across the country “winning case after case”. It noted that Republicans had lost several of the cases they have filed in at least the trial court, including challenges to mail-in ballot rules in Nevada (the RNC is appealing some of the rulings).
“For four years, Donald Trump and his Maga allies have been scheming to sow distrust in our elections and undermine our democracy so they can cry foul when they lose. But also for four years, Democrats have been preparing for this moment, and we are ready for anything,” Jen O’Malley Dillon, the Harris-Walz campaign chair, said in a statement.
For Trump, lawsuits have crafted a misleading imprimatur of legitimacy around his false claims about elections. In 2020, nearly every lawsuit that he and allies filed after the election was thrown out. Nonetheless, the claims and affidavits from poll-watchers that were included – all filed with legal formatting, signatures from lawyers, and court stamps – helped shape the impression that there was legitimate evidence something had gone amiss.
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Lawsuits also can be a particularly powerful forum for spreading misleading information. Public officials sometimes won’t speak publicly about pending legal matters, leaving facts in an initial complaint or petition to go unchallenged in public discourse. It can be weeks before a response is filed or a hearing is held, long after a flood of initial headlines repeating the allegations in the suit. By the time a case gets thrown out, it may not get as much attention as the initial filing.
Even though none of Trump’s cases attempting to throw out the 2020 election succeeded, the false claims in them – that suitcases of ballots were pulled out from under tables in Atlanta, that machines were flipping votes – live on today.
“A lawsuit without provable facts showing a statutory or constitutional violation is just a tweet with a filing fee,” Justin Levitt, a professor at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, has said.
“A lot of it is sort of projecting to your audience that you’re actively pursuing problems and trying to resolve them and also just kind of creating energy on your base to get involved or stay vigilant,” said Rebecca Green, co-director of the election law program at William & Mary Law School.
Hasen said some of the lawsuits may be “placeholders” that Republicans and Trump allies could point to after the election to argue they hadn’t waited too long to bring legal claims. Berwick called these suits “zombie cases”.
“They’re dead on arrival, but will be resurrected after the election,” he said. “I am virtually certain that election deniers will focus on these narratives in the post-election period, both to discredit results they don’t like and as the basis for post-election legal challenges to try and throw out certain ballots, or even interfere with certification of results.”
Aside from the public relations lawsuits, the RNC has waged an aggressive effort over rules for counting mail-in ballots, including a closely watched suit at the US Court of Appeals 5th circuit that could prohibit states from accepting mail-in ballots that arrive after election day. Eighteen states, including battleground Nevada, allow ballots to count if they are postmarked before election day but arrive afterwards and this rule could impact an election where the result could come down to just a few thousands votes in any given swing state.
Republicans have also backed mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania that are missing a date or wrongly dated, even if the ballot is returned on time and the voter is eligible. They have also sought to limit counties from offering practices for voters to cure errors with their absentee ballots so they can be counted.
Revealed: Florida Republicans target voter registration groups with thousands in finesRead moreExperts have also raised questions about the timing of some lawsuits. Federal law prohibits states from systematically removing voters from the rolls within 90 days of a federal election. Yet some of the RNC’s lawsuits challenging how states maintain their voter rolls were filed within that 90-day period.
Republicans recently have also challenged the legality of ballots from overseas and military voters, filing lawsuits in North Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania (the RNC is the plaintiff in North Carolina and Michigan, and Republican members of Congress are the plaintiffs in Pennsylvania). The federal law that governs the practice of dealing with absentee ballots has been in place for decades, and states have long had their own policies in place.
“The timing of these claims is laughable – the processes they challenge have been public for years, and they could have filed these lawsuits months ago, at least,” Oliker-Friedland said in an email. “Instead, they’re choosing to waste election administrators’ time with litigation that, even if successful, won’t practically change anything.”

In a recent interview, we explored the fascinating history of kefir grains, often associated with making yogurt, and their ability to ferment soy milk and cheese. This method of dairy production dates back over 4,000 years, practiced by the ancient inhabitants of the Loulan region in Xinjiang.

In 2003, archaeologists unearthed a remarkably well-preserved female mummy from the Xiaohe Cemetery, believed to be around 4,000 years old. This stunning figure, known as the “Xiaohe Princess,” captivated researchers not only with her striking beauty but also with the intriguing discoveries made during the excavation. Among the findings were small, pale-yellow clumps, later identified as kefir cheese, derived from kefir milk through fermentation with kefir grains.

In a groundbreaking development, Chinese scientists have employed ancient DNA techniques to conduct a systematic analysis of these “oldest cheeses.” Their research aims to uncover insights into the lifestyles of ancient populations in the Tarim Basin, as well as the exchange and evolution of technological cultures. Furthermore, it seeks to understand the co-evolution and mutually beneficial relationships between kefir lactic acid bacteria and human beings over time.

The findings from this significant study have been published in the prestigious academic journal, Cell, shedding new light on our understanding of ancient food production and cultural practices.

The “2024 Overseas Candlelight Journey to Shaanxi” event was launched in Xi’an on October 16. Over the next ten days, 25 principals, board members, and experienced teachers from Chinese language schools will visit museums, cultural heritage sites, and campuses across Shaanxi to gain firsthand insights into the region’s rich history and the advancements in modern education.

This event is co-hosted by the Chinese Language Education Foundation and the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of Shaanxi Province, with Xi’an Yiming Real Scene Education Technology Co., Ltd. acting as the organizer.

According to Yu Xiao, the Secretary-General of the Chinese Language Education Foundation, overseas Chinese language education serves as a vital bridge connecting foreign Chinese communities with their ancestral culture, playing a crucial role in passing down Chinese civilization and promoting its culture. He emphasized that the Foundation will continue to create more platforms for exchange and collaboration to foster the international development of Chinese language education.

Wang Yongjun, a representative from the Shaanxi Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, expressed hopes that after this event, the participating teachers will gain a deeper understanding of Shaanxi and a more profound appreciation of Chinese culture. He encouraged them to share their experiences and insights from Shaanxi with friends overseas, helping to raise awareness of both the region and the culture.

Zhu Chengcheng, Chairman of Xi’an Yiming Real Scene Education Technology Co., Ltd., stated that he hopes this event will enable guests from afar to deeply understand the achievements of their homeland and appreciate the rich heritage of Shaanxi. He also expressed the desire to work alongside overseas Chinese language educators to become advocates, explorers, and innovators in spreading traditional culture.

Additionally, a “Cloud Hand-in-Hand” signing ceremony took place, where nine overseas Chinese schools, including the Malaysian Chinese School Teachers’ Association and various Japanese Chinese schools, signed agreements with educational institutions in Shaanxi, such as the Shaanxi Provincial Museum’s Education Alliance and Xi’an Aerospace Elite School.

Ma Zhongke, Chairman of Xi’an Aerospace Elite School, expressed hopes that the “Cloud Hand-in-Hand” initiative will help Chinese schools better understand overseas teaching philosophies, broaden the international perspectives of teachers and students, and foster dialogue and collaboration in various areas such as curriculum development, cultural exchanges, and showcasing the talents of students and staff.

As we explore the Great Wall of China, the largest and most widely recognized cultural heritage site in the world, we can’t help but reflect on its significance. With a construction history exceeding 2,000 years, it embodies the resilient spirit of the Chinese people and their unwavering patriotism. Today, we’re joining the “Cultural China Tour” series to witness how technology is enhancing the beauty of this ancient landmark.

In October’s golden autumn, the renowned Jiayuguan Pass, known as the “First Victory Pass Under Heaven,” stands in striking alignment with the majestic Qilian Mountains. Tourists are flocking to capture memories within the bustling walls of the fort. However, outside the pass, the Great Wall silently stretches into the vast desert. Near the first beacon of the Jiayuguan Great Wall, we observe a wall guardian using an anemometer to measure wind speed at the base of the Wall.

Dr. Zhang Bin, Director of the Great Wall Protection Research Institute at the Jiayuguan Silk Road Culture Research Academy, states, “Here we see the effects of wind and snow, alongside freeze-thaw cycles, creating significant erosion—potentially as deep as 20 centimeters. Our routine maintenance, which includes tamping, is crucial for stabilizing the wall.”

Thanks to technological advancements, even the smallest changes in the Wall are being monitored and precisely restored, shifting our preservation approach from reactive to preventive. In Shanhaiguan, the Great Wall winds down steep cliffs like a dragon, revealing its formidable character. Through extensive field research and careful selection, scientists have identified filamentous cyanobacteria as an effective solution against rainwater erosion, successfully cultivating it on the surface of the earthen wall. Advanced technologies such as LiDAR, infrared monitoring, and 360-degree imaging robots, along with drone surveillance, are now integral to the Wall’s preservation, ensuring its continued splendor despite the ravages of time.

Liu Wenyang, Deputy Director of the National Cultural Park Protection Research Institute, shares, “The philosophy behind the Great Wall’s construction is to respect local conditions and materials, understanding that nature will take its course, much like human aging. Our goal is to honor its original appearance and follow the principle of minimal intervention. If the structure is intact, we maintain that condition; if it’s damaged, we aim to prevent further risks. This respect for the Great Wall and cultural heritage is paramount.”

Spanning 15 provinces and measuring over 21,196 kilometers, the Great Wall features around 43,000 remaining sites and stands as a testament to the development and transformation of the Chinese nation. It symbolizes the resilience and indomitable spirit of this ancient civilization. In 2021, the “Great Wall National Cultural Park Construction and Protection Plan” was officially launched. In Aksu, Xinjiang, the newly opened Wushi Biedili Beacon Tower National Cultural Park at the westernmost end of the Great Wall has already welcomed over 160,000 visitors this year. In Gansu’s Jiayuguan, innovative approaches are being developed to express the culture of the Great Wall. The sun setting over the desert, with the Jiayuguan fortress illuminated under the night sky, brings the vibrant scenes of a bustling Silk Road market to life. These vivid moments in history shine through the ancient walls, revitalized in the interplay of light and shadow.

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Vice-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Prof. Smaranda Olarinde has announced that 1,662 students of the university would graduate this year .Olarinde, who stated this on Monday in Ado Ekiti at the press conference heralding the 15th anniversary and the 12th convocation ceremonies of the university, added that 226 made first class; 693 got second class upper division; 350 made second class lower; while 33 made third class.A breakdown of the overall graduating students according to the vice-chancellor are “338 from Engineering, Law (244), MHS (228), Sciences (203), SMS (269), Postgraduate (177), Part-time (20), ABUAD Business School (22) and MBBS (161).”She also disclosed that the chairman and chief executive officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa will on Friday, October 18, 2024 deliver the convocation lecture titled ‘Diaspora Engagements for National Development’, as part of activities lined up for the ceremonyOlarinde added that three eminent Nigerians: Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN); Mr. Damien Dodo (SAN); and founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos will be conferred with the honorary degrees of the private university.She stated that the honorary degrees are not awarded based on relationship but simply on merit, saying,”we based our evaluation on fact not by hear say evidence“Honorary Degrees anywhere in the world are awarded on a highly basis to persons of proven integrity and character, who have made exceptional and distinguished life time contributions to the society,” she added.

Royal Court, LiverpoolStaged in their hometown, the true story of one of the first all-female rock bands is told with low stakes, though the singing is great
Matt BartonSun 13 Oct 2024 05.30 EDTShareDespite being one of the world’s first all-female rock groups, electrifying concerts in the UK, Europe and the world during the 1960s, the Liverbirds and their legacy have been dwarfed by that of fellow Liverpool band the Beatles. Ian Salmon musical Girls Don’t Play Guitars attempts to make their case.
A guitar outline encircles centre stage, lassoing the girls – tearaway Val (Molly-Grace Cutler), maternal Pam (Lisa Wright), timid Mary (Alice McKenna) and earnest Sylvia (Sarah Workman) – in musical limits they struggle to break out of. It’s also true of the show, directed by Bob Eaton: rarely does it step away from the music. The Liverbirds’ formation is soon dispensed with – “And that’s how we met!” – while the sexism they overcame is a mere footnote. Obstacles are awkwardly glossed over: encounters with Jimmy Savile and Gary Glitter are euphemised as “close shaves with weirdos”. Without tension and jeopardy, the Liverbirds’ hard-won big breaks become a series of easy opportunities.
The songs sometimes feel slapdash. There’s little sense of the band maturing, or of an apex hit; they’re accomplished from the start. Nor do we see the cast graduate to the level of stardom where they burn up the stage. When the dream dies, there’s no feeling of them stepping back from the brink of stratospheric fame.
That’s caught instead by Mark Walters’s set, with its towers of amps and speakers that appear both surging skyward and beginning to topple. At first, the Liverbirds are literally upstaged by men, sneering at them from a platform.
‘John Lennon was violent. He’d fight about anything’: the inside story of Merseybeat, the UK’s early pop explosionRead moreGirls Don’t Play Guitars works best as a spirited tribute band concert. The four central performers find perfect harmonies while each carving their own distinct personality. Its most touching moment sees Pam clutching her guitar as if it’s a substitute for the boyfriend she’s left behind at home. And the song count cleverly reduces as the band begins to fade. As far as convincing us that we couldn’t have lived without the Liverbirds goes, the show makes only some of the right noises.
Girls Don’t Play Guitars is at Royal Court, Liverpool, until 26 October

During a news conference held on October 14th, the State Council Information Office of China shared insights on the government’s enhanced support for businesses. Luo Wen, the head of the State Administration for Market Regulation, revealed upcoming measures aimed at intensifying oversight and enforcement against illegal fees imposed on enterprises, which will help ease their financial burdens.

Luo emphasized that market regulation authorities are committed to halting the unlawful establishment of charging items. They will strengthen the review of policy documents related to fees imposed by government agencies, subordinate units, and industry associations, ensuring that any policies lacking legal foundations are promptly revised or abolished. Additionally, there will be increased scrutiny of financial institutions and utility providers such as water, electricity, and heating, with a firm crackdown on issues like duplicate and coercive charges. A comprehensive directory of enterprise-related fees will be published, outlining each fee’s basis and standards, reinforcing that any charges not listed in this directory are strictly prohibited.

Moreover, Luo announced that measures to penalize irregular charging practices will be intensified. This includes using a combination of market regulation, industry oversight, and credit management to discipline administrative agencies, public institutions, and social organizations, especially those with monopolistic advantages in specific sectors. Significant cases that draw community concern will be publicly exposed.

The market regulation authorities will also enhance the legal framework supporting fee oversight. Luo noted that they will seize the opportunity presented by the revision of price laws to clarify the legal requirements governing charges by state organs and institutions. Efforts are underway to establish new regulations regarding the handling of illegal fee practices, which will detail standards for identifying such misconduct and strengthen penalties. Furthermore, they aim to expedite the revision of enforcement guidelines across various industries, solidifying the legal foundation for fee regulation and improving compliance among social organizations through the implementation of the Compliance Guidelines for Charging Behaviors of Industry Associations.

*Pledges to abide by party’s constitution 
*Instructs North-central to forward names of choice candidates for chairmanship 
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Efforts to resolve the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seemed to have taken a turn for the worse as Alhaji Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, yesterday, accepted an earlier appointment as replacement to the embattled National Chairman of the party, Illya Damagum.
This was in spite of the directive by governors of the party to all camps to sheathe their swords, following their intervention last Friday.
Mohammed, one of the parties to the disagreements, pledged to abide by the PDP constitution in running the affairs of the party.
However, he said, “We must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy.”
Mohammed, who stated in his acceptance letter, added that, “The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the constitution of our party and I will at all times be fair to all members, irrespective of their status, position or state in the party.”
THISDAY gathered that after a meeting on Friday between the chairman of PDP governors’ forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Damagum, it was agreed that a meeting of the governors would hold today to resolve the leadership crisis.
But Mohammed, yesterday, apparently preempting the meeting, announced the acceptance of his nomination.
He wrote: “Dear party members, it is with the deepest sense of duty that I address you at this time. The domestic events within our party in the last few days call for deep reflection about the management of the PDP, especially at this crucial time in our nation.”
He explained that this was “particularly as it relates to our role as an opposition party and general management as a constitution compliant party in the true spirit of the mission and vision of the founding fathers, which are equity, fairness and justice.”
The new nominee stressed, “I am humbled and grateful by the numerous messages of solidarity, support and best wishes received from members of our party across the country. The enthusiasm and relief expressed revealed the desire and determination of our members to see a PDP that is strong, democratic and based on strict adherence to its constitution.
“Regrettably, we must admit that we have not satisfactorily carried out the critical role expected of a virile opposition in a democracy. This, it has been observed, is as a result of conflict on interests – personal or political – elevated above party interest, which continues to have debilitating effect on the ability of our party to perform effectively at various levels, particularly at the national level.
“This state of affairs continues to affect the performance and viability of our party to perform its role as expected as a platform, which Nigerians have come to admire and look up to in view of the robust constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) and the monumental achievements of the party in the 16 years in government, which period is referred to with nostalgia as the golden years of governance in Nigeria.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, desirous of revamping the party in line with the vision of its founding fathers, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, appointed me as the Acting National Chairman to lead the charge to rekindle the hope and aspiration of our teeming members.”
That, Mohammed stated, included “the youths, critical stakeholders and generality of Nigerians, who wish to see a political party that is ready and willing to play the role of effective opposition in the quest to develop our democracy and seek for responsible and responsive government in our country.
“The NWC under my leadership will be guided strictly by the constitution of our party and I will at all times be fair to all members irrespective of their status, position or state in the party. Only this will guarantee and engender loyalty and commitment of our teeming members.
“In this regard, my primary goal, focus and mandate in the onerous assignment is to restore confidence of our members by immediately setting in motion the process to hold the long overdue National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of our party already scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2024.”
Mohammed invited stakeholders from the North-central geopolitical zone to send a nominee for the PDP national chairmanship position.
He stated, “In line with the provisions of our party’s constitution, the North-central zone, which is constitutionality entitled to produce a replacement to serve out the tenure of the former National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, is hereby requested to urgently meet and forward its nominee to my office for necessary preparation and forwarding for consideration and approval by NEC at the October 24, 2024 meeting.
“I hereby seek and solicit the co-operation, support and advice from my colleagues NWC members, all organs of the party, especially the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly Caucus as well as leaders, critical stakeholders and members towards a successful NEC meeting that we can all be proud of.
“Thank you all for the opportunity to serve. Together we can restore the glory of our party and uphold the sustenance of democracy in our country.”
Mohammed’s appointment was announced Friday in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.Before his appointment, he was the PDP national treasurer. He is from Gombe State, while Damagum is from Yobe State, both in the North-east geopolitical zone.

Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich took almost two minutes off the world record at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, winning the World Athletics Platinum Label road race in 2:09:56 on Sunday (13).
Not only did she obliterated Tigist Assefa’s world record of 2:11:53, set in Berlin last year, Chepngetich also notched up her third Chicago Marathon victory and chopped more than four minutes off her previous best of 2:14:18, set when winning here in 2022.
On a good day for Kenyan runners, John Korir took the men’s title in 2:02:43, the second-fastest time ever recorded in Chicago behind the world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum last year.
Chepngetich breezed through the first 5km in 15:00 and then reached 10km in an astonishing 30:14. She continued her relentless pace and hit the half-way mark in an incredible 1:04:16, the fifth-fastest clocking in history for the half marathon distance and putting her on course for a sub-2:09 finish.
Spurred on by her memories of the 2022 race, when she missed out on the world record by just 14 seconds, Chepngetich powered through the final stages and crossed the line in 2:09:57, becoming the first woman to break 2:10.
“I feel so great. I’m very proud of myself. This is my dream. I fought a lot, thinking about the world record. The world record has come back to Kenya, and I dedicate this world record to Kelvin Kiptum,” she said.
The new World Record is however subject to the usual ratification procedure by World Athletics.

South Korean author Han Kang, who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, has seen a remarkable spike in book sales just six days after the announcement. Reports indicate that more than 1.03 million physical copies of her works have been sold, along with approximately 70,000 e-books. Among her most popular titles are “The Vegetarian,” “Human Acts,” and “The White Book.”

Upon the announcement of her Nobel win, the streets of South Korea buzzed with excitement, leading many fans to rush online to purchase her books, causing several websites to crash. According to leading booksellers such as YES24, Kyobo Bookstore, and Aladin, which collectively hold nearly 90% of the market share, around 1.032 million physical copies of her works were sold by 9 AM on October 16.

Han is not only the first South Korean to win the Nobel Prize in Literature but also the second South Korean to receive a Nobel prize since the late former President Kim Dae-jung was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000. This historic achievement has garnered intense national attention, resulting in an unprecedented surge in book sales compared to previous literary laureates.

However, in an interview with Swedish public broadcaster SVT, Han expressed a desire to avoid the spotlight, stating, “I don’t want to be in the limelight right now.” She acknowledged the need for time to reflect on the significance of the award. After hearing the news, she celebrated with her son over tea, but admitted to feeling overwhelmed. “That morning, my father called to say he wanted to throw a party with the neighbors, but I was reluctant, asking him to keep it low-key.”

Han emphasized her wish to remain humble, reflecting on the struggles faced by many in the world. “There is still a lot of suffering in this world; we should be more restrained,” she remarked during the interview. She candidly shared her feelings of doubt regarding the impact of her writing, noting that novels can require years to complete—“It took me seven years to write ‘Human Acts,’ and sometimes it feels like nothing has changed despite the effort.”

Currently, Han stated that her focus remains on her ongoing projects. She intends to finish her current novel before preparing her acceptance speech for the award.