With Venezuela in the thrall of U.S. oil demands and Cuba confronting massive fuel shortages due to an American blockade, the two countries face a more uncertain future than at any time since becoming close allies at the start of the 21st century.

Four of the leading Democratic candidates for California governor sparred off on healthcare, housing, and economic issues Friday, Nov. 7, at a debate at UC Riverside. UCR co-hosted the event organized by 11 nonpartisan California health-focused advocacy organizations.

In August, Texas state legislators voted for a mid-decade redistricting plan that is likely to turn five U.S. House of Representatives seats from Democrat to Republican. Soon after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a retaliatory effort, a special election in which California voters are asked to approve new congressional maps drawn by Democrats, bypassing the state’s independent redistricting commission. The plan would likely flip five red seats to blue. Republican donors including Charles Munger Jr.

In a study published in PS: Political Science & Politics, University of California, Riverside researchers found that openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) members of the United States Congress took more actions to promote LGB and trans people’s rights than non-LGB colleagues with otherwise similar backgrounds.