Trump’s rhetoric enflames debate over immigration policy
One of former President Donald Trump’s top campaign promises heading into 2024 is immigration reform. Trump highlights the border crisis as a top issue facing the U.S., a sentiment shared with the majority of American voters.
According to polls released this month from CBS News and the Wall Street Journal, “immigration & the border” is the second most important issue for voters behind the economy.
Trump highlights his immigration policies at almost every rally on his campaign trail, saying it will lead to the largest reform the U.S. has ever seen. Trump has said he will conduct mass deportations of immigrants who crossed the border illegally. The former president also plans, if he wins the 2024 presidential election, to bring in the National Guard and troops from overseas to the border to stop the influx of migrants crossing illegally into the country.
Trump’s remarks at a New Hampshire rally on Saturday, Dec. 16 have largely overshadowed policy in his latest controversy.
They’re poisoning the blood of our country. They’ve poisoned mental institutions, prisons all over the world — not just South America or the three or four countries we think about. But they’re coming from all over the world from Africa, Asia. They’re pouring into our country. Nobody is even looking at them. They just come in.
Former President Donald Trump
“When they let 15-16 million people into our country, when they do that, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Trump said on the New Hampshire stage. “They’re poisoning the blood of our country. They’ve poisoned mental institutions, prisons all over the world — not just South America or the three or four countries we think about. But they’re coming from all over the world from Africa, Asia. They’re pouring into our country. Nobody is even looking at them. They just come in.”
Trump has been criticized for his “poisoning the blood of our country” remarks because Adolf Hitler’s manifesto called the mixing of races “blood poisoning.”
Both Democrats and some Republicans have publicly condemned the former president’s choice of words. Trump’s rhetoric is something Republicans are getting used to answering for, largely downplaying the comments of the party’s frontrunner.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, S.C., was pressed on Trump’s remarks on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“To the Biden administration, you’re talking about Donald Trump’s language as you sat on the sidelines and allowed the country to be invaded,” Graham said. “You know, we’re talking about language. I could care less what language people use as long as we get it right. If you’re talking about the language Trump uses rather than trying to fix it, that’s a losing strategy for the Biden administration.”
Graham argued the country should focus on the difference in policy. Following Trump’s Dec. 16 remarks, major news outlets have described Trump’s immigration-related rhetoric as “anti-immigrant” or “anti-immigration“.
Trump seemed to attempt to clarify the remarks on Truth Social after his speech, standing by being against illegal immigration.
Trump’s words are known to trigger controversy. Trump recently said he would be “dictator for a day.” But his rhetoric doesn’t seem to be hurting him in the polls. Trump’s lead in the primary is unwavering. No presidential candidate has been this far ahead in national polls and gone on to lose the primary.
President Biden, first lady safe after vehicle collides with motorcade
President Biden and the first lady were unharmed after a driver crashed into an SUV in the president’s motorcade on Sunday night, Dec. 17, outside his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, DE. Video shows the president answering reporters’ questions just after 8 p.m. when a loud collision is heard. President Biden, looking on, was rushed into his vehicle, where the first lady was already inside. The motorcade then left the scene.
As 2024 quickly approaches things on the campaign trail are beginning to heat up for both President Biden and his potential GOP opponent, former President Donald Trump. But few Americans are looking forward to another 2020 showdown between Biden and Trump.
According to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey, 56% of respondents said they would be unhappy with Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee, and 58% of people said don’t want to see Trump as the GOP nominee, though polls show that will likely be the choice for voters in 2024.
Israel releases more details on accidental killing of 3 hostages: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 18, 2023
Israel releases new details after three hostages taken by Hamas were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. And, a driver crashes into President Biden’s motorcade outside his campaign headquarters. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
Israel reveals more details on 3 hostages mistakenly killed by IDF troops
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Austin’s visit comes as Israel revealed more information overnight about the three hostages taken by Hamas who were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops on Friday, Dec. 15, in the Gaza City area.
They were identified as Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz.
The Israel Defense Forces said the three men, all identified as Israelis, had emerged from a building shirtless in an effort to show they were not carrying explosives and waving makeshift white flags. In an update, the military said the hostages tried to use leftover food to create signs calling for help.
The hostages were mistakenly seen as threats, Israel said, and soldiers opened fire, killing two immediately. Officials said the third ran back into a building screaming in Hebrew. Though the Israeli commander ordered soldiers to stop firing, more shots were fired, killing the third man.
The IDF said the shooting occurred during a period of “intense combat” with a lot of “ambushes” where Hamas militants were dressed in civilian clothes. Israel said the shooting violated the military’s rule of engagement, prohibiting opening fire on those who surrender. They said troops must follow those rules, including for Palestinians.
The hostages’ deaths have sparked new calls for a truce, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets in Tel Aviv. Germany and Britain are now backing a “sustainable” cease-fire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deaths “broke the whole nation’s heart” but vowed to continue to fight to eliminate Hamas and to bring home all the hostages.
North Korea fires intercontinental ballistic missile
For the first time in five months, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile. This comes as Pyongyang has condemned efforts by the U.S. and South Korea to boost nuclear deterrence. According to Japan’s Vice Minister of Defense, the missile has a range of up to 9,300 miles, meaning it could reach anywhere in Japan and the mainland United States.
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan have condemned the launch, calling it a violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any ballistic activities by North Korea. According to South Korean officials, Monday’s, Dec. 18, test followed another launch on Sunday, Dec. 17, when North Korea reportedly launched a short-range missile designed to strike the South. That missile also landed in the water off the coast.
2 U.S.-Mexico rail bridges closed due to migrant surge
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials have closed two rail bridges along the U.S.-Mexico border following a surge of migrants being smuggled into the country. CBP said, starting on Monday, Dec. 18, it is temporarily suspending all operations at rail crossings in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, to redirect resources elsewhere in its latest move to respond to a flood of migrants trying to get into the U.S.
“After observing a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains, CBP is taking additional actions to surge personnel and address this concerning development, including in partnership with Mexican authorities,” CBP said in a statement.
The U.S. Secret Service said the sedan driver unintentionally struck a parked SUV that was providing security for the president’s route. Secret Service agents surrounded the vehicle and told the male driver to put his hands up. The incident occurred just after the president and first lady had left his campaign headquarters following a holiday event with staffers.
Wilmington police are investigating.
CBS News poll shows Haley gaining on Trump in New Hampshire
With five weeks to go until the New Hampshire primary, Haley is consolidating much of the non-Trump vote in the state, with 29% of likely GOP primary voters saying they would vote for her, while 44% said they’d back Trump. Last week, Haley secured the endorsement from New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, R, who spoke about his choice in an ABC News interview on Sunday, Dec. 17.
“No one in New Hampshire is going to vote for Nikki Haley because the governor said so. You earn it. I think we’ve been pretty successful on knowing how to earn it, how to engage with constituencies, what’s important, not just what the voters want to hear, but how they want to ask the questions, and most importantly, how are they going to earn the trust with folks,” Gov. Sununu said. “We can all agree on a lot of policies; we want to know that as individuals, we come first, and that’s what Nikki is bringing to the table.”
With just four weeks to go until the Iowa caucuses, the CBS News poll found Trump maintains an overwhelming lead, with 58% of likely caucus-goers saying they’d support the former president. In Iowa, Haley sits at third, behind Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Survey says fewer companies giving out year-end bonuses
White-collar workers who are used to getting a holiday gift of a year-end bonus may be saying bah humbug this year. According to a Wall Street Journal report, fewer companies are giving out bonuses.
A survey of more than 200 small, midsize, and large companies found that 34% wouldn’t give bonuses this year, which is up from 27% last year, the highest number since 2019. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Walgreens have informed workers that bonuses will likely be canceled or reduced. But it’s not all bad news, recruiting firm Robert Half said, based on its research, those working in law, accounting, and marketing are still likely to receive their bonuses — ending their year on a high note.
UAW to weigh whether Biden calls for Israel-Hamas cease-fire when deciding endorsement
Will the Israel-Hamas war stand in the way of President Biden getting the backing of one of the nation’s most powerful labor unions? Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers union, indicated the president’s policy on the Israel-Hamas war and whether he calls for a cease-fire will factor into the UAW board’s decision on endorsing him.
“That’s a decision the president has to make,” Fain said when asked if the president had talked to him about a cease-fire. “But our stance from day one of my administration has been that our endorsements will be earned, not freely given anymore.”
Fain made the statement at the U.S. Capitol building, where he appeared with Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The group met there to call for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
“Thousands of our members have called with concerns about this issue,” Fain said. “That’s why we discussed this as a board. And it’s why we decided to weigh in on it. Because, you know, we have a lot of members that are concerned that we need a cease-fire and we need peace.”
Fain said there are many factors that play into the union’s endorsements, and he would not say if there is one single issue that will be determinative, even when asked directly.
“We still have a lot to talk about with our endorsements going forward,” Fain told Straight Arrow News. “We don’t have any decisions made yet. And that’ll play out, you know, as as the board meets and as our membership, as we discuss things with them. We’re not ready to even talk on that issue yet as far as what will and won’t determine an endorsement.”
Fain said the decision will be made by the UAW’s 14-member board in consultation with its members.
Yet, it appears a 2020 rematch is in the cards, as it seems increasingly more likely that Trump and Biden will win their party’s respective nominations.
This is probably the most uniquely horrible choice I’ve had in my life.
Andrew Collins, an Independent voter
“This is probably the most uniquely horrible choice I’ve had in my life,” Andrew Collins, an Independent voter, told the AP.
The newest survey showed that 56% of U.S. adults would be dissatisfied with Biden as the Democratic nominee, and 58% would be unhappy with Trump as the Republican nominee.
The majority of Republicans, 65%, said they would be satisfied with Trump as the GOP’s pick, and a quarter of them, 26%, said the party should pick someone else.
Among Democrats, 49% said they would be happy to see Biden as the party’s nominee, and nearly one-third disagreed, with 32% of respondents being dissatisfied with Biden getting the nomination.
Some respondents told the AP they would begrudgingly vote along party lines.
“I want a Republican to be elected, so I’m in favor of any Republican that would be on the ballot,” Joe Hill, a voter from Georgia, said of Trump. “I would more so if it wasn’t him.”
The majority of Independent voters said they don’t necessarily like either candidate, with 57% unhappy with Trump and 63% unhappy with Biden.
Deborah Brophy, an Independent voter who sided with Biden in 2020, said she is particularly torn over this election and that Trump “seems a little racist,” but Biden’s age and health are concerning.
“I don’t think he’s, health-wise, able to continue another four years in office,” Brophy said. “I think his mind is a little bit going the wrong way in the way of not being able to think.”
While it is not yet set in stone, it seems that Trump and Biden will likely be the presidential nominees. Polls show Trump with a wide lead over the rest of the Republican candidates, and Biden has received a lot of support from Democratic officials with no indication of any opponent truly competing for the nomination at this point.
Setting the stage for a potential grudge match, many said they are not anxiously awaiting.
Biden warns Israel is losing world support, says US will aid Ukraine ‘as long as we can’: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 13, 2023
President Biden delivers updates on where the United States stands in its support of Israel and Ukraine. And, Apple is rolling out a new security feature to protect iPhone users from passcode thieves. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.
Biden says Israel is losing support; US will aid Ukraine ‘as long as we can’
Biden said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his approach, calling him the leader of “the most conservative government in Israel’s history” that doesn’t “want anything remotely approaching a two-state solution.”
Hours before Biden’s comments, Netanyahu remarked on the rift between the U.S. and Israel concerning what a post-war Gaza would look like.
“Yes, there is disagreement about ‘the day after Hamas’ and I hope that we will reach agreement here as well,” Netanyahu said.
Meanwhile, Biden announced $200 million in approved aid for Ukraine during a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
However, Biden admitted with funding for additional aid stalled amid disagreements in the Senate over a stricter border policy, the U.S. will only be able to support Ukraine for a limited time if no action is taken. Biden called it a gift for Russian President Vladimir Putin and said America will continue to supply Ukraine with critical weapons and equipment for “as long as we can.”
“Without supplemental funding, we’re rapidly coming to an end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the urgent operational demands that it has,” Biden said. “Putin is banking on the United States failing to deliver for Ukraine. We must, we must, we must prove him wrong.”
UN General Assembly votes in favor of cease-fire after US veto
As the United States continues to support Israel and its right to defend itself after Hamas’ terror attack, while being critical of the impact on civilians in Gaza, the U.S. has refused to back calls for a cease-fire. On Tuesday, Dec. 12, the U.N. General Assembly voted in favor of a resolution demanding a cease-fire despite opposition from the U.S. and Israel.
Eight countries, including Austria, Guatemala, and Paraguay, joined the U.S. and Israel in opposing the resolution. The assembly’s vote came a few days after the United States vetoed a similar resolution in the smaller Security Council on Friday, Dec. 8.
Arab and Islamic nations called the emergency session of the general assembly to vote on Tuesday, Dec. 12. While resolutions from the General Assembly are not legally binding, they are a gauge of where the world stands on issues.
Following the vote, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, said it was a “historic day in terms of the powerful message that was sent from the General Assembly.”
Media Matters sues Texas, alleging it violated the First Amendment
Apple releasing security feature to protect against code-stealing thieves
Apple is releasing a new security feature for iPhones to protect users from thieves who learn their passcodes, which unlocks their phones. The move is in response to a report by the Wall Street Journal on criminals stealing iPhones after watching users type in their passcodes.
With stolen device protection turned on, an iPhone will restrict certain settings, like changing passwords, when it’s away from a location familiar to the user.
If a request is made to change a password, the iPhone will require a Face ID or Touch ID. from the user. There will then be an hour-long delay, at which time another Face ID or Touch ID scan will be needed to confirm the action. Then, and only then, can the password be changed.
iPhone users are still encouraged to hide their passcodes when in public and never give them out to strangers.
Netflix releases viewership data for first half of 2023
The public is getting a better idea of what viewers have been watching on Netflix and how much they’ve been watching. For years, the streaming service has held back on releasing viewer data, but on Tuesday, Dec. 12, Netflix moved to become more transparent.
The first report of its kind, titled “What We Watched,” includes a list of viewing times on the platform for the first half of the year. Netflix released information on more than 18,000 movies and TV series, each having at least 50,000 viewing hours.
According to the report, season one of Netflix’s original “The Night Agent” was the most-viewed show between January and June, with 812 million viewing hours.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said the company’s lack of transparency created an “atmosphere of mistrust over time,” and this list creates “a better environment.” However, he admitted it may be more information than anyone would need.
With dozens of retirements, resignations, the face of Congress is changing quickly
When the 119th Congress gavels in on Jan. 3, 2025, both the House and Senate will look very different. Forty-seven members of Congress and counting will not return for another term after the 2024 elections. That includes 39 representatives and eight senators who are either retiring, running for another office or resigning early.
Members have mixed feelings about the new faces that will inevitably enter the chamber.
“I think it’s good to have some new blood in here,” Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., said.
“We’re losing a lot of corporate knowledge, and I’m worried about that,” Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., said.
Some who are leaving, like Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., are known to be moderate, likable, and able to work across the aisle.
Then there are lawmakers like Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., who has been in the House of Representatives for more than 25 years, and is taking a lot of institutional knowledge with him when he retires.
Straight Arrow News asked Blumenauer how the loss of experienced members will impact Congress.
“Well, it will be replenished as new people come on board and get some experience and dive into these issues. It’ll take a while, but life goes on. We hope that people will be a little more inclined to work together cooperatively,” Blumenauer told Straight Arrow News.
Some of the best, brightest and most-liked from both sides of the aisle are leaving, which made another well-respected member, Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., think twice about staying.
“I was talking to both McCarthy and McHenry today. And I told them, I said, ‘With you all leaving, it’s really tempting to follow you.’ But at the same time, I think that the obligation to make sure that the House goes on the right track, to make sure that this country doesn’t go south, is really important. And that’s what’s keeping me here,” Graves said.
But not everyone will be sad to see long-time members go. There’s a bipartisan group that wants to implement term limits.
“Well, I don’t think anyone thinks the Congress is doing well. Having new folks here, maybe it’ll improve things. But I don’t understand the argument for all this experience when we can’t even get budgets passed,” Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., told Straight Arrow News.
Ro Khanna is calling for twelve-year term limits, while other members have called for six-year limits.
Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., supports a limit but doesn’t think it would work unless it applies to everyone.
“I never said I was going to term-limit myself unless it is for everyone. The alternative is you’re just going to have people in Nebraska with no seniority. But I do think in principle, for across the board, it should be the policy for term limits, and I would support that,” Bacon said.
The reality is that members have been introducing term limit bills for years. But like many elected officials, those bills haven’t gone anywhere.
Trump’s dictator remarks create media frenzy, overshadow GOP debate
With four republican presidential hopefuls set to take the debate stage Wednesday, Dec. 6, it is former President Donald Trump already stealing the show. After a town hall hosted by Fox News, remarks the former president made when asked if he will become a dictator have sent the media into a frenzy.
Moderator Sean Hannity had Trump answer to headlines that circulated the news cycle in the week leading up to the townhall. Op-eds in The Washington Post and New York Times hinted at an “inevitable Trump dictatorship” and referred to Trump as “an autocrat in waiting.”
The same sentiment was shared by former Wyoming congresswoman Liz Cheney, a vocal critic of Trump, on CBS Sunday Morning.
“He’s told us what he will do,” Cheney said. “It’s very easy to see the steps he will take. One of the things we see happening today is sort of a sleepwalking into a dictatorship.”
Hannity asked Trump whether there was any truth to the claims.
“To be clear, do you in any way have plans whatsoever if reelected to abuse power, break the law, or use the government to go after people,” Hannity asked during the town hall.
“You mean like how they’re using right now?” Trump said. “In the history of our country, what’s happened to us has never happened before.”
Hannity asked again if Trump would ever abuse power if elected president again. Trump answered whether he would ever be a dictator.
“No, no, no, other than day one,” Trump said. “We’re closing the border and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
His response triggered a ripple of reaction throughout mainstream media.
On ABC’s “Good Morning America,” ABC’s Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathon Karl said “Donald Trump was asked a simple and direct question and he wouldn’t rule out abusing power if he gets back to the White House. In fact, he used the word ‘dictator’ describing his plans for day one in office.”
On MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” host Joe Scarborough said “there is a sickness, a sickness among fellow Americans regarding authoritarianism. They want it. When he promised he’d be a dictator on day one, he got applause.”
On CNN’s NewsNight, anchor Abby Phillip said Trump’s remarks reminded her of Trump’s remarks before leaving the White House after the 2020 election.
“The last time we saw Trump pull something like this was just before the 2020 election when he was repeatedly asked ‘will you accept the results of the 2020 election’ and he refused to say.”
While the media revels in Trump’s latest comments, there is a debate happening tonight. Four republican candidates are trying to escape the shadow and make up for a 50-point deficit in polls behind Trump.
Whether these candidates will have to answer to Trump’s town hall comments is unknown. However, it is a common theme seen in previous debates, candidates having to answer for their party’s direction in 2024 with Trump largely writing the playbook.
Senate briefing on Ukraine aid becomes heated as Republicans demand border policy change: The Morning Rundown, Dec. 6, 2023
Senate Republicans seeking border changes walk out of a classified briefing on Ukraine aid. And, Panera faces another wrongful death lawsuit over its caffeinated lemonade. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Republican senators walk out of classified briefing
The briefing was held to allow senators time to ask senior Biden administration officials questions, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Charles Q. Brown Jr.
The talks, however, fell apart, with senators from both parties saying the group of Republicans walked out after wanting answers on border security, while the Democrats were looking to keep the focus on Ukraine, as the White House said the funding would run out by the end of the year.
Republican Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., criticized his Democratic colleagues, saying, “Their lack of preparedness to discuss border security policy…was not just an oversight, but a political decision.”
After leaving the briefing, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., of “hijacking” the meeting and trying to steer the conversation to border negotiations. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said some senators walked out because Democrats were unwilling to discuss the border to get the deal done.
Dems want $106B—GOP wants a closed border. That’s the trade. But clueless Dems want to negotiate the border bill. Not going to happen. Is an open border more important to Dems than Ukraine and Israel?
Sen. Tuberville had been blocking the votes in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion policy, which allows military members time and reimbursement for travel out of state to seek an abortion. The block delayed promotions for hundreds of military personnel, creating a backlog.
Tuberville faced increased pressure to drop his hold from senators on both sides of the aisle, citing the threat to military readiness and national security as some officials were forced to take on multiple roles with promotions stalled.
Tuberville said he still has holds on about a dozen four-star officers. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby expressed the importance of the Senate pushing those confirmations through so they can lead troops in “critical military missions.”
Trump responds to ‘dictator’ reports during Fox News town hall
Hannity: “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody?”
Trump: “Except for day one,” Trump said. “I want to close the border, and I want to drill, drill, drill.”
Hannity: “That’s not retribution.”
Trump: “I love this guy; he says, ‘You’re not going to be a dictator, are you?’ I said no, no, no, other than day one. We’re closing the border, and we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”
Former President Trump said during a Fox News town hall that he would not be a dictator "except for Day One" if he is elected president next year. https://t.co/gfTULftZeD
Earlier in the day, President Biden, speaking at a fundraising event outside Boston, told supporters if Trump wasn’t running, he wasn’t sure if he’d be running for re-election. Trump addressed those comments during the town hall, saying someone must have given the president talking points.
As for the fourth GOP primary debate, it will air tonight at 8pm EST on NewsNation.
Panera faces second wrongful death suit over caffeinated lemonade
Panera Bread is facing a second wrongful death suit related to its “Charged Lemonade” as a Florida family says the caffeinated drink led 46-year-old Dennis Brown to go into cardiac arrest as he walked home from the restaurant in early October. The lawsuit claims that the ‘charged lemonade’ was not advertised as an energy drink, and there were no warning labels.
A new lawsuit claiming Panera Bread's "Charged Lemonades" lead to someone's death has raised questions about the amount of caffeine in some popular drinks. Here's what consumers should know about the potential health effects. https://t.co/8TW1vRl0AA
According to the suit, Brown, who avoided energy drinks due to his high blood pressure, had ordered several “Charged Lemonades”‘ in the days leading up to his death. In late October, the company issued warnings about its caffeinated lemonade following a similar lawsuit claiming that a 21-year-old woman died after drinking one of the beverages.
According to Panera’s menu at the time of the first lawsuit, a 30-ounce glass of the “Charged Lemonade” contained 390 milligrams of caffeine, which is 10 milligrams less than the daily amount recommended by the USDA for “healthy adults.”
In a statement to ABC News, Panera said it expressed sympathy for Brown’s family but added following an investigation, it does not believe his death was caused by its “Charged Lemonade” and that, like the first lawsuit, it found it to be “without merit.”
After reaching a tentative deal about a month ago, SAG-AFTRA allowed its approximately 160,000 members to return to work, suspending its strike after 118 days. The agreement provides a 7% increase in minimum rates in the first year of the deal and the first-ever protection against the use of artificial intelligence, where actors must consent to being replicated.
Today we close out one of the most important chapters in recent entertainment industry history. The 2023 TV/Theatrical Contracts have officially been ratified by SAG-AFTRA members by a vote of 78.33% to 21.67% with a turnout of 38.15%. (1/8) pic.twitter.com/nYg38AkmGA
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios, congratulated SAG-AFTRA on the ratification of the deal, saying in a statement that the industry and the jobs it supports can now “return in full force.”
ChatGPT tops list of most popular Wikipedia articles of 2023
Wikipedia says it received over 84 billion page views over the past 12 months; that’s a lot of online searching! But what were the most popular subjects being looked up?
Wikipedia has the answers. On Tuesday, Dec. 5, it released its list of the most popular articles of the year. The most popular topic was ChatGPT. Wikipedia says the AI chatbot, launched just over a year ago and dominated headlines worldwide, registered over 50 million pages on the English version of its site.
Barbenheimer is happening. People are booking the Barbie-Oppenheimer double feature, according to data from cinema chains https://t.co/9JhIHoa3QI
The second most-read article in 2023 was Wikipedia’s annual list of deaths of notable and public figures, which sees high traffic each year. Entries about the sport of cricket made the list for the first time, taking four spots in the top 25, including number three.
That dynamic Hollywood duo known as Barbenheimer – the films “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” – were popular searches this year, coming in at number five and 13, respectively. And, with a tour, an album, a film, and a new romance, Taylor Swift constantly made headlines throughout 2023. The singer added one more accolade this year, having the 12th most popular entry on Wikipedia.
Mayorkas hinted that a mass amnesty might be necessary. President Reagan granted such an amnesty in 1986. Now, almost four decades later, President Biden might need to do so again.
Secretary Mayorkas and multiple U.S. agencies estimate that there are roughly 12,000,000 undocumented immigrants living in the United States, although that number is contested, and it is impossible to know an exact figure. The mass amnesty that Reagan offered in 1986 covered around one-fourth that number.
President Biden had promised new pathways to citizenship during the previous election campaign cycle, but the bill that he sent to Congress in order to fulfill that promise has been stuck there ever since. It’s possible that a new election cycle might re-energize that effort.
House Republicans are blasting the Biden administration for spending so much money on the border crisis — costs which they estimate are at $451 billion per year — while the crisis still continues to become more severe over time. Other right-wing sources, however, calculate the total costs of illegal immigration at $150 billion, just one-third of the number used by the Republican-dominated Committee on Homeland Security.
In either case, as the crisis persists, these expenses only continue to increase. In comparison, Biden’s student loan forgiveness program would cost only $30 billion per year over a 10-year period, and the annual budget of the entire state of California is roughly $310 billion.
The House Committee on Homeland Security’s Nov. 13 report states that border towns and communities along the U.S.-Mexico border are having their emergency resources depleted, and that they face mounting shortages in housing, public school system capacity, and other government services.
Donald Trump made immigration a key talking point in his 2016 campaign. With his decisive lead in the GOP candidate field and the continuing crisis on the border, immigration is likely to become a major topic of debate once again, with Trump and Biden offering two different visions of how to address this crisis.