The Full Belmonte, 9/28/2023
“Seven Republican presidential hopefuls made their case for the GOP nomination at last night's debate in California. They spent the night attacking President Biden, each other, and former President Donald Trump — who skipped the event. These are six takeaways from the night.” [NPR]
The U.S. government is getting ready for a shutdown.
“How? The Biden administration plans to warn federal workers as soon as today that a shutdown appears imminent. It would begin Sunday, unless Congress extends the deadline.
At stake: Millions of employees and military personnel may stop receiving pay. Museums and passport offices could close. And housing, food and health aid may be disrupted.
In Congress today: House Republicans will hold a hearing as part of an inquiry into whether to impeach Biden, but they haven’t provided evidence he committed a crime.”
Read this story at Washington Post
Sen. Bob Menendez pleads not guilty to pocketing bribes in a wide-ranging corruption case
Sen. Bob Menendez arrives at federal court in Manhattan today. Photo: Jeenah Moon/AP
“U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey has said he is confident he will be exonerated and has no intention of leaving the Senate. Still, calls for Menendez to resign continue to mount.” Read More at AP News
“The Senate reverted to its decades-old business attire dress code, one week after the rules were relaxed. The standards will now be enforceable.” [New York Times]
“The judge in Trump’s election interference trial rejected his request that she recuse herself.” [New York Times]
“Chinese hackers stole 60,000 emails from State Department accounts earlier this year.” [New York Times]
“Democratic and Republican leaders asked the Supreme Court to overturn lower court decisions that restrict them from removing homeless encampments.” [New York Times]
Sitting all day increases the risk of dementia, even if you exercise.
“What to know: People 60 and older who sat for at least 12 hours a day had a 63% greater chance of dementia than those who sat for less than 10 hours, a new study found.
What should you do? Sit less. Exercise, walking and taking short breaks weren’t enough to lower the risk level of those who still sat for 10 or more hours a day.”
Read this story at Washington Post
New York City’s not-so-sudden migrant surge, explained
Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images
“As hundreds of thousands of migrants flood New York City, the city’s mayor changes his tune. Mayor Eric Adams has increasingly used inflammatory rhetoric to describe the influx, recently claiming that the city could be ‘destroyed’ if it doesn’t get more federal funding. Here’s what you need to know:
“Since April 2022, more than 116,000 migrants have arrived in New York City. Some have been sent to New York and other cities in the north by GOP-led states like Florida and Texas. Most are seeking asylum, a form of protection that would allow them to remain in the United States and not be deported.” [Vox] [NYC Office of the Mayor]
“Many aren’t eligible to work because of asylum rules. These rules require migrants to wait about six months for a work permit. The Biden administration hasn’t expedited applications because it worries that will worsen the influx of migrants, leaving the administration vulnerable to GOP attacks. At the same time, without steady work, these migrants won’t be able to find permanent housing.” [Vox] [New York Times]
“More than 60,000 migrants remain in the city’s shelter system. If migration continues at its current pace, the city is on track to spend $12 billion over the next three fiscal years to shelter and support immigrants.” [Vox]
“The city is now starting to turn some asylum-seekers out of shelter.Earlier this year, Adams asked a judge to temporarily relieve the city of the legal obligation to shelter migrants, since its shelter system is overwhelmed — a request now before a court.” [Vox] [Politico]
“New York’s struggles are just one symptom of federal gridlock on immigration reform. Cities across the US and northern Mexico are finding it hard to keep up with a flow of migrants that can top 8,000 per day. Without a congressional solution, which is not forthcoming, the difficult situation migrants and cities are in won’t change.” [Vox] [CNN]
Climate Change Goes to Court
Young Portuguese citizens (center) arrive at the European Court of Human Rights for a hearing in a climate change case involving themselves against 32 countries in Strasbourg, France, on Sept. 27.Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images
“The largest climate change lawsuit in history has officially begun in a European court. On Wednesday, representatives from 32 European nations appeared before the European Court of Human Rights to face charges of having violated the complainants’ human rights by failing to adequately address climate change.
The case was brought by six Portuguese young people, ages 11 to 24, who argue that the governments’ inaction on climate change has hurt their health and well-being, thereby violating their rights to life, privacy, and being free from inhumane treatment. If the court agrees, then it could force the countries to strengthen efforts to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. A ruling is expected in the first half of 2024.
‘This case is unprecedented in its scale and its consequence,’ said Gearóid Ó Cuinn, the director of the U.K.-based Global Legal Action Network, which backs the complainants in the lawsuit. ‘Never before have so many countries had to defend themselves in front of any court anywhere in the world.’
Among their chief arguments, the young people aim to prove that the 27 member states of the European Union along with Britain, Switzerland, Norway, Russia, and Turkey failed to enforce competent climate change legislation—and thus will cause global warming to hit 3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the end of their lifetimes. According to the United Nations, global warming must not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2030 to comply with 2015 Paris Agreement standards.
‘Without urgent action to cut emissions, [the place] where I live will soon become an unbearable furnace,’ 20-year-old claimant Martim Agostinho said.
In the last year, much of Europe has been irreparably damaged by environmental disasters. Record-setting heat waves have contributed to devastating wildfires and mass droughts. Flooding has destroyed crops and uprooted neighborhoods. Frigid winters have been exacerbated by energy crises. And the growing ferocity of storms has pushed thousands of Europeans to abandon their homes.
But what impacts Europe is not isolated to the continent’s borders. This month, deadly flooding caused by Storm Daniel in Turkey, Greece, and Bulgaria—all of which are being sued in the upcoming climate trial—also hit Libya, where it killed thousands of people and decimated much of the city of Derna.
European nations have taken measures to try to slow climate change. In April, the European Parliament approved a bill that revises the EU’s carbon market by establishing a carbon tax on top emitters. A few months later, EU lawmakers passed legislation to phase out new fossil fuel car sales by 2035. And on Sept. 13, the bloc approved new rules requiring airlines to have 70 percent of their fuel be sustainable by 2050.” [Foreign Policy]
“Welcome back. U.S. Army Pvt. Travis King was returned to U.S. custody on Wednesday after being held in North Korea for 70 days. King illegally crossed into the country on July 18 while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea. According to one senior U.S. official, no concessions were made to North Korea to secure King’s release. Both China and Sweden helped mediate talks between Washington and Pyongyang as well as organized King’s flight out of the autocratic nation.
King allegedly sought asylum in Pyongyang after becoming disillusioned with U.S. society, particularly ‘inhuman maltreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army,’ according to North Korea. The 23-year-old was due to face U.S. military court upon returning to the United States after being detained in a South Korean facility for assault. Whether he will face those charges now is still to be seen.” [Foreign Policy]
“Former separatist leader arrested. Azerbaijani forces arrested former Armenian separatist leader Ruben Vardanyan on Wednesday. He was detained while trying to flee Nagorno-Karabakh following Baku declaring sovereignty over the region in a cease-fire on Sept. 20. Vardanyan led the separatist movement in Nagorno-Karabakh from November 2022 until this February.
Azerbaijani forces have been looking for ‘war crimes’ suspects as more than 47,000 Armenians have fled the disputed territory in the last week. Baku, however, has promised that Armenian fighters who surrender their weapons will be granted amnesty. Vardanyan is expected to be handed over to state authorities once he is brought to Azerbaijan’s capital to face ‘justice.’ [Foreign Policy]
The self-declared Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh surrendered to Azerbaijan.
(The Washington Post)
“The latest: After a swift and brutal military takeover by Azerbaijan forces last week, the region’s president said today it would dissolve its government and military.
Zooming out: The region is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory but is largely populated by ethnic Armenians. More than 66,000 have fled amid fears of genocide.”
Read this story at Washington Post
A funeral for fire victims in Hamdaniya, Iraq.Abdullah Rashid/Reuters
“A fire that killed more than 100 people at an Iraqi wedding was started when guests lit flares during the bride and groom’s traditional slow dance. The couple escaped.” [New York Times]
“Easier entry. Israelis will now be allowed to visit the United States without a visa, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday. The long-negotiated status came on the condition that Israel remove travel restrictions against Palestinian Americans and other Americans of Arab or Muslim descent. The change on the U.S. side goes into effect on Nov. 30.
For Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the visa waiver deal is a major breakthrough in strengthening U.S.-Israeli relations. For U.S. President Joe Biden, removing ethnic- and religious-based travel restrictions could improve diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a top priority for the Biden administration. Yet many Democratic senators still have reservations over Israel’s willingness to comply with the visa waiver program’s equal treatment requirements.” [Foreign Policy]
“Deadly fire. More than 100 people were killed and at least 150 others injured when a fire destroyed a packed wedding venue in Qaraqosh, Iraq, late on Tuesday. Flames ignited a ceiling decoration, which then spread through the hall. Iraq’s interior ministry has issued four arrest warrants for the owners of the building, and President Abdul Latif Rashid has called for an investigation.” [Foreign Policy]
“First came the ability to rent Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse. Now, fans of DreamWorks’ beloved animated film Shrek can book a stay in a replica of the titular character’s swampy home. Airbnb announced on Tuesday that Shrek’s swamp is available for rent on Oct. 27-29. Located in the Scottish Highlands, guests can light earwax candles, sit on ogre-sized furniture, and use Shrek’s very own outhouse. Looks a lot better than being locked away in a tower.” [Foreign Policy]
September 28, 2023
By David Leonhardt and Ian Prasad Philbrick
Good morning. We’re covering the looming government shutdown — as well as the Republican debate, the autoworkers’ strike and banjos in Arkansas.
Speaker Kevin McCarthyKenny Holston/The New York Times
Three days left
“Two basic facts are central to understanding why the federal government may shut down on Sunday morning:
First, the House Republican caucus contains about 20 hard-right members who sometimes support radical measures to get what they want. Many of them refused to certify the 2020 presidential election, for example, and now favor impeaching President Biden. They also tend to support deep cuts to federal spending, and they’re willing to shut down the government as a negotiating tactic. ‘This is a whole new concept of individuals that just want to burn the whole place down,’ House Speaker Kevin McCarthy — a fellow Republican — said last week.
Second, the Republicans’ House majority is so slim that McCarthy needs the support of most of these roughly 20 members to remain speaker. If he passes a bill to fund the government and keep it open without support from the hard-right faction, it can retaliate by calling for a new vote on his speakership and potentially firing him. Nobody knows who would then become speaker.
This combination has created a strange situation in Washington. Most House members — along with President Biden — want to avoid a shutdown. So does the Senate: A bipartisan group agreed this week on a spending bill that would keep the government open through mid-November. A similar bill could probably pass the House by a wide margin if it came to the floor.
Yet the small Republican faction has enough sway over McCarthy that he has resisted allowing a vote on such a bill. As a result, much of the federal government may shut down this weekend. The deadline is midnight on Saturday night.
We know that some readers find a potential shutdown to be both a complex and frustrating story. But it’s now a serious enough possibility to deserve some attention.
Feeling sold out
This conflict has its roots in the debt-limit increase that Congress passed and Biden signed in June. Most countries don’t have a debt limit; they debate taxes and spending when voting on whether to fund government programs. The U.S. government has a two-stage process in which Congress decides first how to spend money and later whether to pay back the debts it has already accumulated.
The more extreme parts of the Republican House membership — ‘the wrecking-ball caucus,’ as Carl Hulse, The Times’s chief Washington correspondent, has called it — seemed as if they might use the debt-ceiling debate to insist on large spending cuts. They knew that if the U.S. breached its debt limit, a financial crisis could follow.
Ultimately, though, the Republican faction allowed McCarthy to negotiate a fairly normal deal. It cut some forms of spending, like tax enforcement, but only modestly. The deal also included agreements about spending levels over the next two years, meant to avoid future government shutdowns.
For Biden (and most American citizens), the deal’s main benefit was obvious: no economic crisis. For Republicans, the deal also offered the advantage of making McCarthy look like an effective leader who could negotiate on its behalf.
But the right-wing faction came to hate the deal once others began celebrating it. ‘A lot of hard-right Republicans held their nose and voted for the debt limit increase the first time to give McCarthy negotiating leverage,’ Carl says, ‘and then felt like they were sold out even though everyone in Washington saw what was coming.’
The faction has since decided that it does not need to abide by the earlier spending agreements and wants to renegotiate them by threatening to shut down the government.
Both White House officials and some Senate Republicans are frustrated by the turnabout. ‘We settled this five months ago with a bipartisan budget agreement — which, by the way, two-thirds of Republicans in the House voted for,’ Jeff Zients, the White House chief of staff, told us last night. If the government shuts down, Zients said, ‘A million active duty troops and their families could have to worry about how they pay their bills. People could have to worry about fewer food inspectors on the job. Cancer research would stall.’
One obstacle to a solution is that different parts of the Republican group have different demands, as Catie Edmondson, a Times reporter on Capitol Hill, said. Some want to increase spending on border security while cutting other programs. Others acknowledge that they want to weaponize the threat of a shutdown to force major spending cuts. ‘Most of what we do as a Congress is totally unjustified,’ Bob Good, a Republican representative from Virginia, recently told Carl.
What’s next
The outcome remains uncertain. The Republican faction might ultimately accept small, symbolic spending cuts and claim victory. Or the government might shut down this weekend.
The situation is a reminder that partisan polarization in Washington is not symmetrical. Yes, Democrats have moved significantly to the left on some major issues in recent decades while Republicans have moved significantly to the right. But a large number of only one party’s members — Republicans — is willing to take procedural steps that both parties would once have considered too extreme. It’s true about election certification, the debt ceiling and a government shutdown.
Matt Dallek, a historian at George Washington University, described the rise of this faction as ‘the fairly logical culmination of an increasingly radical and increasingly extremist Republican Party.’
For more
A shutdown could disrupt air travel and hurt the economy.
‘Fight like hell’: Meet 10 House Republicans who say they oppose a short-term funding bill.
The hard-liners have put Republicans who represent districts Biden won in a tough spot.
The House voted to cut Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s salary to $1, one of several hard-right proposals that are unlikely to become law.
House Republicans will hold their first public hearing about a Biden impeachment today. They have been grasping for evidence to support their case.” [New York Times]
“Lululemon Athletica agreed to a five-year partnership with Peloton Interactive that involves tapping its online workouts and teaming up on apparel, a deal that helps the yogawear company wind down an unprofitable foray into digital fitness equipment.” [Bloomberg]
“Target says it will close nine stores in major cities due to increased theft.
The chain is the latest in a wave of retailers that says they’re struggling to contain store crimes. That said, some skeptics say retailers haven’t backed up their claims that theft has gotten any worse than it has long been.” [Vox] [CNN]
“Facebook-parent Meta is introducing artificial intelligence features to its apps that will give the company’s 3 billion users an experience akin to OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Customized sticker creation, image editing and a slew of celebrity-faced chatbot characters—all infused with generative AI—are coming to Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp.” [Bloomberg]
Philly mayhem
Photo: Matt Rourke/AP
“A string of smash-and-grabs shook Philadelphia last night as large groups ransacked stores and stole cars, authorities said.
At least 30 people — including three juveniles — have been charged so far, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The wave hit Foot Locker, Lululemon, Apple and at least 18 liquor stores.
‘This destructive and illegal behavior cannot and will not be tolerated in our city,’ Mayor Jim Kenney said on social media.” [Axios]
The government’s case to break up Amazon, explained
Vox; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“The Federal Trade Commission’s latest target is Amazon. The federal organization — which monitors consumer protections and enforces antitrust law — is suing the online retailer, alleging that Amazon is an illegal monopoly.
The lowdown: The commission and 17 states filed a lawsuit on Tuesday accusing Amazon of making it nearly impossible for other e-commerce companies to compete.
The lawsuit alleges that Amazon has inflated prices and harmed third-party sellers that participate in Amazon’s marketplace. The complaint covers 20 charges, including monopoly maintenance, unfair methods of competition, and violations of various state antitrust laws.
It’s a significant milestone in the antitrust reform movement led by FTC chair Lina Khan. This is the first case filed under her leadership that takes on Big Tech’s business practices — and it’s against the company she built her career on criticizing.
However, antitrust cases are hard to win in the US. The law and the judiciary tend to be friendly to businesses and make “consumer welfare” — usually thought of as how much consumers have to pay for things — the basis for whether a company is illegally monopolizing a market.
The stakes: Tech reporter Sara Morrison breaks down the implications, big and small, should the FTC win or lose.
“Assuming the suit isn’t dismissed or dropped before it reaches a trial, it will likely take several years to play out in court, which means it’ll be years before we know what the impact of it will be,” she writes. “At that point, we’ll likely have decisions in the Google and Meta antitrust trials as well, and maybe an Apple antitrust lawsuit still to be fought.”
Let’s say the FTC wins. Amazon could be subject to penalties such as being forced to break up into smaller companies to handle its separate lines of business. That could create a more level playing field for sellers that currently just can’t compete with Amazon’s reach, resources, and control.
An FTC loss, on the other hand, would indicate that Big Tech companies aren’t doing anything wrong in the eyes of current US antitrust law. That could set the antitrust reform movement back even further and embolden tech companies to become even bigger.
Frank Rubio after landing in Kazakhstan.NASA/Getty Images
“A NASA astronaut returned to Earth after spending 371 days in space, a record spaceflight for an American.” [New York Times]
“The actors’ union will resume negotiations with Hollywood studios on Monday. With the writers’ strike over, most late-night talk shows will return next week.” [New York Times]
Portland traded Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It’s a blockbuster: The deal teams the seven-time all-star guardwith two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Bucks gear up to chase another championship.
Other pieces: The Phoenix Suns were involved, acquiring four players and dealing former top pick Deandre Ayton to Portland. The Trail Blazers also got guard Jrue Holiday.”
Read this story at Washington Post
“An exit: Michigan State fired its football coach, Mel Tucker, saying sexual harassment allegations against him “brought public disrespect” upon the school.” [New York Times]
Scientists spotted the deepest-living octopus in the sea.
“What you’re looking at: The dumbo octopus, named after Disney’s big-eared cartoon elephant. Researchers released video of one swimming off the Hawaiian coast this month.
It’s a rare sighting: This type of octopus is uncommon and, because it’s able to live at depths of 13,000 feet, its habitat is massive and hard to reach — at least for humans.”
Read this story at Washington Post
Bruce Springsteen postpones all 2023 tour dates as he recovers from peptic ulcer disease
“Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2023 tour will be postponed until 2024, citing doctor’s advice.” Read More at AP News
The Juilliard School in Manhattan.Jeenah Moon for The New York Times
“Learning the craft: Juilliard, the renowned arts school in New York, is making its graduate acting program tuition-free. School officials hope a broader range of students will apply to the program. ‘I know too many people who didn’t apply because they thought, ‘I couldn’t afford it,’ Damian Woetzel, the school’s president, said.” [New York Times]
Late-night TV officially returns
Photos: CBS Photo Archive, NBC, Bravo, ABC via Getty Images
“Late-night shows are setting their returns after months of reruns during the writers strike, Axios' Shauneen Miranda writes.
Why it matters: Late-night and daytime talk shows will be the first to return because those programs require writers but not actors, who are still on strike.
Bill Maher announced his HBO show is returning on Friday.
‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ will be back on HBO this Sunday.
On Monday, the country's most prominent late-night shows will return:
‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ and ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ on NBC.
‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ on ABC.
‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ on CBS.” [Axios]
Michael Gambon, Dumbledore actor in 'Harry Potter,' dies of pneumonia
READ FULL STORY at USA Today
“Lives Lived: Terry Kirkman helped found the Association, a blazer-and-tie-clad vocal group, in 1965. Its lush harmonies and folk-inflected sound made the group a hit machine in its heyday. Kirkman died at 83.” [New York Times]