China retaliates against travel restrictions; New Jersey’s gun law on hold and the Golden Globes are back. These stories and more highlight your midday rundown for Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.
New Jersey gun law hits legal roadblock
New Jersey’s gun law, signed in December, was immediately met with legal challenges that are now playing out in court. A federal judge has ruled that some gun restrictions that are part of that law infringe on a person’s Second Amendment right.
The law prohibits guns from being carried in “sensitive places” like libraries, museums, nursing homes and bars, even if a person has a concealed carry permit. The judge ruled it required too much guesswork for gun owners to know where they can and can not carry.
Other concealed carry restrictions of New Jersey’s gun law remain in effect.
China retaliates against travel restrictions
In an effort to prevent a global COVID-19 surge, several countries put travel restrictions in place for visitors from China as case numbers there have spiked. China isn’t happy with the decision and calls the restrictions “discriminatory.”
South Korea stopped issuing tourist visas for those coming from China. Japan is canceling some flights where the plane is coming from China. The Chinese government is now blocking visas for visitors from South Korea and Japan in retaliation.
Nearly 90% of people in one of China’s most populous areas are infected with COVID-19. That’s about 88 million people in one province.
World Bank warns of recession
Recession isn’t only a threat to the U.S. this year. According to the World Bank, the global economy faces similar uncertainty.
While the U.S. faces many woes of 2023, the World Bank warned we will likely see just a .05% point of growth. It predicts trouble in the form of a global recession, which matches the sentiment of other economists.
“For most of the world economies, this is going to be a tough year. Tougher than the year we leave behind. Why? Because the three big economies, U.S., E.U. and China are all slowing down simultaneously,” said the Head of International Monetary Fund Kristina Georgieva.
Rock ‘N Play sleeper recalled twice
A popular Fisher-Price baby-sleeper is being recalled for the second time. The first came in 2019. Since then, more infant deaths have been reported. The company is reissuing the warning to parents.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said unrestrained infants in Rock ‘N Play sleepers were dying after rolling over from their back to their stomach or side.
In the last several years, more than 100 baby fatalities were reported to have occurred from the product. Another 8 infants have died since the initial recall.
Golden Globe Awards return
The Golden Globes are back.
Tuesday night, one of Hollywood’s biggest nights returns after a one-year hiatus due to a boycott based on the lack of diversity among the organizers behind the awards. After a year of “reform,” they’re ready to welcome the world’s biggest stars back to Beverly Hills. Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Steven Spielberg are all up for awards.
During the ceremony, there will be a message from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ratings for award shows have decreased dramatically in recent years. Critics often call them politicized.
