Robert Downey Jr. will sue executives if they recreate him with AI
Robert Downey Jr. is the latest star to make it clear he doesn’t want his likeness recreated by artificial intelligence. On a recent episode of the “On With Kara Swisher” podcast, the actor said he would sue all executives who allow an AI created version of him.
When he talked about his role as Iron Man, Downey Jr. said that while he doesn’t think Marvel executives would ever recreate his portrayal of Tony Stark, he would sue if they tried – even after he dies.
“I am not worried about them hijacking my character’s soul because there’s like three or four guys and gals who make all the decisions there anyway and they would never do that to me, with or without me,” Downey Jr. said.
Swisher added that new executives would likely do it.
“Well, you’re right,” Downey Jr. said. “I would like to here state that I intend to sue all future executives just on spec.”
“You’ll be dead,” Swisher responded.
Downey replied, “But my law firm will still be very active.”
Last year, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists led a strike over the same issue. Those strikes lasted four months.
SAG-AFTRA ultimately signed a deal requiring productions to get the informed consent of actors whose digital replicas are used.
A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA said Downey Jr. can deny use of any digital replica in movies. This is because of California’s new law prohibiting the unauthorized replication of a dead performer’s likeness without prior consent.
Downey Jr.’s latest project is a broadway production titled “McNeal,” which is about the way AI is disrupting the world of literature and addresses questions about how AI is impacting creativity.
Dockworkers begin strike at East and Gulf coast ports
Tens of thousands of dockworkers are now on strike across the country — what that could mean for you. And the first and only vice presidential debate is just hours away. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Dockworkers begin strike at east and gulf coast ports
Thousands of dockworkers along the East and Gulf coasts have walked off the job, impacting the movement of billions of dollars’ worth of goods. They took to the picket lines just after midnight Tuesday, Oct. 1, once the contract between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance officially lapsed.
The ILA has been calling for higher wages for workers and a total ban on automation in a new contract at some of the busiest ports in the country.
The two sides have not met face-to-face since June. Monday, Sept. 30, the Maritime Alliance asked for an extension, but the ILA did not grant one.
The strike has the potential to cause shortages and price increases of consumer goods right as the holiday shopping season approaches. Trucking companies and freight rail operators were scrambling to move billions in products in advance of the strike.
President Joe Biden could invoke a federal labor law to force the longshoremen back to work, but he has said he has no intention of doing that. Straight Arrow News’ Business Correspondent Simone Del Rosario spoke with Syracuse University Professor of Supply Chain Practice Patrick Penfield about when he thinks the White House should step in.
“I give it at least five days, I think,” Penfield said. “After that, I think the government really needs to step in.”
He added, “I think that’s really all we can afford, to be honest with you. And I think, again, if you’re the Biden administration, this is probably a worry because it’s an election year, right? So, again, if the constituents see that there’s issues and problems here and you don’t resolve them, then that could be bad for, you know, whoever’s running for office.”
JD Vance, Tim Walz to take the stage for vice presidential debate tonight
Tuesday is debate night in America once again, this time, between the two vice presidential nominees. Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will participate in the first and only vice presidential debate with just 35 days to go until Election Day.
The 90-minute debate will be hosted by CBS News and simulcast on other networks. It will take place from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City and moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan.
There will be two commercial breaks during which campaign staff cannot interact with their candidates. Pre-written notes are not allowed and, unlike the presidential debates, a candidate’s microphone will not be muted when the other is talking.
On Thursday, Sept. 26, Vance won the virtual coin toss and opted to go last with his closing statement.
The Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris visited FEMA headquarters, where she told them she and President Biden would do everything they could to help the communities impacted.
“The destruction we have seen in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia is heartbreaking,” Harris said. “In coordination with state and local officials, President Biden and I will continue to make sure that communities have the support and the resources that they need not only to respond to this storm and its immediate aftermath but also the resources they will need to recover.”
President Biden said he will visit hard-hit North Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Harris said she will be on the ground “as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Republican nominee former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, which suffered severe damage from Helene. While there, Trump said this was not a time for politics.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election, but in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters,” he said. “We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved. We need a lot of help. They have to have a lot of help down here. We look out for one another. We pull together, we pitch in, we persevere and we pull it through. That is really the American spirit. That’s what made America originally great.”
Though Trump said he’d leave politics out of it, some of his words caused controversy in Washington. Trump claimed President Biden had not spoken with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
Biden responded saying Trump is lying and Kemp himself said he spoke with the president on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Israel launches ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon
The newest phase of war in the Middle East appears to have officially arrived as Israel has begun ground attacks in Lebanon. It’s the escalation in fighting there that the United States and its allies have been trying to keep from happening for weeks now.
Israel now says there’s intense fighting between its troops and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, which started launching strikes against Israel not long after the war with Hamas broke out in October of last year. Hezbollah has said the strikes are a show of solidarity with Hamas.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah said it had launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops at positions within Israel, but didn’t mention Israeli forces within Lebanon.
CVS board assessing options, including potential company break-up
CVS could be splitting up. According to a new report from Reuters, the company is exploring options to potentially separate its retail and insurance units, as it struggles to rebound into the health care giant that company leaders have been envisioning.
Investors want the company to improve its operations as CVS’ earnings outlook continues to decrease.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the company’s board has been discussing options with its financial advisers in recent weeks — including what a possible split could look like. The sources said the board has not made any decisions yet and could still choose not to make any major changes to the business.
Fmr. NBA star Dikembe Mutombo, MLB hit king Pete Rose pass away
The sports world is remembering two gifted athletes who died on Monday.
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, was an eight-time All-Star and went on to serve as the league’s first global ambassador.
He became famous for his finger wag after blocking another player’s shot.
In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called Mutombo “simply larger than life.”
In his 24-year career, Rose won three World Series championships and was a 17-time All-Star.
However, his career took a turn in 1989 when he was banned from baseball for gambling on games as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. After denying it for many years, Rose would eventually admit he did bet on games in his 2004 autobiography.
Despite not being in the Hall of Fame, Rose still remains on top of the MLB’s career hit list with 4,256 hits. Fans and supporters will remember him as “Charlie Hustle.”
Media Miss: Unions won at least 10% wage increases for 900K workers in 2023
Union have been busy in 2023 as they have successfully negotiated wage increases of 10% or more for 900,000 workers across the U.S., according to a CNN analysis. Some deals resulted from high-profile strikes by auto workers and Hollywood actors and writers.
According to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss™ tool, this story is a Media Miss for the right. The Media Landscape indicates that while left-leaning and center-oriented outlets are covering this story, fewer – if any – right-leaning outlets are reporting on the topic.
We will continue to move mountains.
Shawn Fain, UAW President
On Monday, Nov. 20, the UAW announced that 64% of union members voted to ratify record-breaking deals with Detroit’s big three automakers. Those deals come after more than six weeks of walkouts by UAW members.
At its peak, 46,000 union members hit the picket line and cost the three automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, a combined $4.2 billion in losses.
“With a united UAW that is more unified than I have seen in my 29 years, actually in my life, if we are not afraid to fight, we can win,” said Shawn Fain, UAW president. “And we will continue to move mountains.”
In the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA virtually shut Hollywood production down this year as the groups negotiated for better pay and job protections.
While the 11,000 writers and 160,000 actors represented by the two unions didn’t reach 10% wage increases, there were major victories as a result of the strikes, including protections from AI.
Preliminary estimates reported by Reuters put the economic impact of the Hollywood strikes at more than $6 billion.
The economic impact of strikes in 2023 has been clearly illustrated. Meanwhile, several other unions have been able to strike deals by merely threatening to strike.
The Teamsters union struck an agreement with UPS covering nearly 350,000 workers, and the Culinary union reached a series of deals to avoid strikes at 18 casinos across the country.
Even non-union members, especially non-union auto workers, are reaping the benefits of powerful unions. Department of Labor data shows the average hourly wage in October was up 18% compared to just three years ago.
Straight Arrow News strives to provide unbiased, fact-based news in addition to offering a comprehensive look at how the media is covering stories that matter most. Learn more about the Media Miss™ tool and decide for yourself.
The big takeaways from the 3rd Republican primary presidential debate: The Morning Rundown, Nov. 9, 2023
Five Republican candidates took the stage Wednesday night, Nov. 8, making their case to be the next president in the third GOP primary debate. And Hollywood actors reach a tentative deal with the studios to put an end to the nearly four-month strike. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Nov. 9.
Recapping 3rd GOP presidential primary debate
For the third time, Republican candidates for the 2024 presidential election faced off in a primary debate; this time, the field was down to five.
We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.
Vivek Ramaswamy
From the stage in Miami on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, the candidates spoke on a variety of issues, from China to funding Israel and Ukraine and their views on abortion. All while sparring with one another and even criticizing the Republican National Committee after the GOP lost key races the night before.
The candidates were also not shy this time to call out the Republican frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, for not showing up to the debate.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) said Donald Trump is much different than in 2016.
“He owes it to you to be on this stage and explain why he should get another chance. He should explain why he didn’t have Mexico pay for the border wall. He should explain why he racked up so much debt. He should explain why he didn’t drain the swamp,” DeSantis said. “And he said Republicans were going to get tired of winning. Well, we saw last night, I’m sick of Republicans losing.”
Tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy aimed his anger at the election results at Ronna McDaniel, the chair of the RNC.
“I think there’s something deeper going on in the Republican party here, and I am upset about what happened last night,” Ramaswamy said. “We’ve become a party of losers. At the end of the day, there is a cancer in the Republican establishment.”
At times throughout the night, Ramaswamy focused on former South Carolina governor and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley, who was almost at center stage, a reflection of her standings in the polls. While all candidates declared their support for Israel, Ramaswamy took issue with Haley’s foreign policy views.
“Do you want a leader from a different generation who’s going to put this country first,” Ramaswamy said. “Or do you want Dick Cheney in three-inch heels?”
“Yes, I’d first like to say they’re five-inch heels, and I don’t wear them unless you can run in ’em,” Haley said. “The second thing that I will say is I wear heels; they’re not for a fashion statement; they’re for ammunition.”
The candidates were divided when it came to supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said supporting Ukraine is “not a choice,” saying, “It’s the price we pay for being leaders of the free world.” DeSantis was skeptical of some of the funding sent to Ukraine, saying, “We need the war to end” so the U.S. can focus on border security instead.
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The presidential hopefuls were also asked about the social media app TikTok, owned by the China-based company ByteDance. Christie said he’d ban the app in his first week as president. The issue turned personal when Ramaswamy brought up Haley’s daughter.
“In the last debate, she made fun of me for actually joining TikTok while her own daughter was actually using the app for a long time,” Ramaswamy said. “So you might want to take care of your family first.” “Leave my daughter out of your voice,” Haley said.
“The next generation of Americans are using it, and that’s actually the point,” Ramaswamy said as the audience booed. “You have her supporters propping her up.”
After Ohio residents voted in favor of abortion access Tuesday night, Nov. 8, the GOP candidates were asked about their stance on the issue. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said he’d commit to a 15-week national ban. Haley said no Republican president will be able to find the votes to pass any kind of federal abortion ban.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump held a rally a half hour away during the debate. A senior Trump adviser said the debate was “a complete waste of time and money.”
Ivanka Trump testifies; Hunter Biden subpoenaed
Based on polling numbers, as of Thursday, Nov. 9, the 2024 presidential election looks like it would be a rematch of 2020 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, the focus was not on them but their family members.
The New York attorney general has accused Trump, his adult sons, and his organization of inflating his net worth on financial statements to banks and insurers in order to gain more favorable loans.
Ivanka told prosecutors she was not privy to her father’s personal financial statements.
When asked specifically by the state lawyer if she had any role in preparing Donald Trump’s statements of financial condition, Ivanka replied, “Not that I’m aware of.”
Following Ivanka’s five-hour testimony, the New York attorney rested her case. The defense is expected to begin theirs on Monday, Nov. 13.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee investigating President Biden and his connection to his family’s foreign business dealings subpoenaed Hunter and James Biden, the president’s son and brother, on Wednesday, Nov. 8, marking the first time that members of the Biden family have been subpoenaed since the impeachment inquiry was opened in September.
A representative for Hunter Biden responded, calling it a “political stunt,” but said, “Hunter is eager to have the opportunity, in a public forum, at the right time, to discuss these matters with the committee.”
US strikes Syria weapons warehouse in response to attacks on troops
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, calling it a self-defense strike, said the weapons facility in Eastern Syria was used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps along with affiliated groups.
Two F-15 fighter jets dropped bombs on the target on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in what Austin called a “precision self-defense strike,” adding that the safety of American troops is paramount.
“The president has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Austin said in a statement.”
Also on Wednesday, the Pentagon confirmed a U.S. military surveillance drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
SAG-AFTRA issues Halloween costume guidance to striking members
As the Hollywood actors’ strike nears its 100th day, another issue is being raised by the Screen Actors Guild — Halloween. The union, which represents the roughly 65,000 actors on strike since July, is asking its members to not dress up as characters from movies or TV shows produced by the studios they are striking against.
The union says this will send a clear message that actors won’t promote studio content without a fair contract.
Instead, SAG-AFTRA is recommending members dress in traditional Halloween costumes like ghosts, skeletons and zombies, or trick-or-treat as someone from an animated series.
The union says if striking actors do end up dressing up as characters based on content from the major studios, it just asks that they not post any photos to social media.
Actors have been on strike since July 14 over issues including increase pay over streaming programming and the use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood.
Last week, talks broke down between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The AMPTP said the gap between the two sides was “too great, and conversations are no longer moving us in a productive direction.”
The Writers Guild of America ratified its new contract with studios earlier this month, ending a nearly 150 day strike.
Israel continues airstrikes against Hamas in Gaza: The Morning Rundown, Oct. 10, 2023
Israel continues its retaliation on Hamas in Gaza as the White House confirms 11 Americans were killed in the militant group’s surprise attack. And thousands of pharmacy employees walk out of stores across the country citing unsafe working conditions – these stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Oct. 10, 2023.
Israel regains control of Gaza border; 11 Americans dead
Israel said this morning it has re-established control over the Gaza border after another night of air raids following the surprise deadly assault by the Hamas militant group early Saturday, Oct. 7.
The death toll continues to rise as at least 900 Israelis have been killed including at least 11 Americans, with thousands more injured. The Israeli Defense Forces says it has found around 1,500 bodies of Hamas fighters inside the country and near the Gaza Strip.
The IDF also said it planted mines where Hamas had created gaps in the border with Gaza during the initial attack.
According to Israeli officials, Hamas has taken more than 100 hostages, including women and children, back to Gaza.
Hamas, a group categorized as terrorists by both the United States and Israel, has threatened to kill a civilian hostage every time Israel bombs a Palestinian home without warning.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 687 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s air strikes, including 140 children, with thousands of others wounded.
Israel has called up 300,000 reserve troops and imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip as the country is expected to plan a ground assault in the coming days.
President Joe Biden along with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom vowed their support for Israel and condemned the actions of Hamas in a joint statement.
The statement read in part:
“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism… Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities.”
The leaders of the five nations say they recognize the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people but say Hamas does not represent those aspirations.
The United States is showing its support for Israel by moving its largest Navy ship, the Ford carrier strike group, to the Eastern Mediterranean.
With the war between Israel and Hamas on its fourth day, three U.S. airlines have suspended service to the city of Tel Aviv. United, American, and Delta canceled multiple flights. United said that will remain the case until conditions allow them to resume.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver a speech on the war at 1 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
President Biden interviewed by special counsel over classified documents
Over the course of two days, President Biden was interviewed by special counsel Robert Hur as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents, the White House confirmed Monday.
A spokesperson says the president and the White House have been cooperating with the investigation since the beginning and have been providing updates publicly where “it has been appropriate.”
Sources tell multiple news outlets the voluntary interview conducted on Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9, was scheduled weeks ago, and it could be a sign the investigation is nearing its end.
Hur was appointed special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland after classified documents were found in Biden’s Delaware home and a Washington, D.C. office he used after his days of being vice president.
The investigation into President Biden comes as former President Donald Trump is facing his own charges related to classified documents – charges he has denied.
A trial is set for May in Florida, though last week, Trump’s lawyers filed a motion to try and push it back. The special counsel in that case, Jack Smith said there’s no “credible justification” to move the trial date.
Walgreens employees walk out over unsafe working conditions
Employees of the pharmacy chain Walgreens are the next set of workers to walk out of their jobs in hopes of securing better working conditions.
Thousands of pharmacists, technicians, and support staff began a planned three-day walkout on Monday Oct. 9 at stores across the country. Some pharmacies in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Oregon have temporarily closed.
An organizer told the Washington Post that increasing demands on understaffed employees led to the walkout, saying they are being asked to administer vaccines while also dealing with hundreds of prescriptions making it impossible to do their job responsibly.
Walgreens replied, telling the Post that the company understands the last few years have been “unprecedented” and “a very challenging time.” Walgreens says it is making significant investments in pharmacist wages and is listening to their concerns.
Last week, pharmacy employees in multiple CVS stores in Kansas City staged a similar walkout.
Employees at both companies are not unionized. Reports say Walgreens’ walkout came together on the online site Reddit.
Writers ratify new contract with studios
One union that did walk out for better working conditions, the Writers Guild of America, voted overwhelmingly to ratify its new contract on Monday, Oct. 9. This formally ends one of the longest labor disputes in the history of Hollywood of nearly 150 days.
WGA members voted 99% in favor of the contract. The agreement between the guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television and Producers runs through May of 2026. It focuses on increases in pay and the use of artificial intelligence.
The Writers Guild is now urging the Alliance to work out a deal with SAG-AFTRA as Hollywood actors have been on strike since July.
Man climbs Santa Monica Ferris wheel claiming to have bomb
It was not fun and games at the Santa Monica Pier on Monday, Oct. 9, as a man climbed the iconic Ferris wheel with riders aboard claiming to be carrying a bomb.
The pier was evacuated as police and firefighters responded to the scene. Emergency officials used a lift to reach the riders on the 130-foot Ferris wheel.
Police said on the social media site X, they were “dealing with a person in crisis.” About an hour after the incident started, the man began climbing down the structure.
Once on the ground, he was apprehended. Police said there was no bomb and the pier soon reopened to visitors.
Flag football could be added to 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Organizers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have delivered a proposal to add flag football to the program. The decision ultimately comes down to the International Olympic Committee who will vote during meetings in India over the next week.
Other sports being considered for the LA games include baseball, softball, lacrosse, squash and cricket. Breakdancing, which we will see in Paris next year, will not be part of the LA edition
The 2028 Summer Olympics will be the first in the United States in 32 years.
‘Beware!’: Tom Hanks warns of AI ad using his likeness
Tom Hanks warned his fans on Sunday, Oct. 1, of an ad supposedly of the Oscar-winning actor promoting a dental plan. Hanks posted a screenshot of the ad, saying it was not really him, but rather an AI replica, telling everyone to “beware!”
Hanks added to the post, “There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me.” Hanks made clear that the post has nothing to do with him.
It is unknown where the video originated from and what dental plan it is promoting. But the acting icon has previously addressed AI on the “Adam Buxton Podcast” in May.
On the podcast, Hanks said it is a real possibility that AI versions of actors could be used in movies.
“I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and that’s it, but my performances can go on and on and on,” Hanks said. “And outside of the understanding that it’s been done by AI or deepfake, there’ll be nothing to tell you that it’s not me and me alone.”
The actor known for his roles movies like “Forrest Gump,” “Castaway,” and “Big” made those comments weeks before Hollywood actors went on strike in July, with artificial intelligence being one of its key issues. SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers are expected to meet Monday for the first formal bargaining talks.
Our business correspondent Simone Del Rosario has a series on the rise of artificial intelligence and what the future holds for the technology.
Hollywood writers and studios reach tentative deal to end strike: The Morning Rundown, Sept. 25, 2023
A tentative agreement has been reached between Hollywood studios and the currently striking Writers Guild of America, signaling a potential end to the work stoppage. And samples collected from an asteroid which took seven years to obtain have arrived on Earth, holding possible clues about the origins of our solar system. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Sept. 25, 2023.
Hollywood writers’ strike nears end, autoworkers strike continues
The Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing thousands of Hollywood writers, announced it has reached a tentative agreement with major Hollywood studios, signaling the potential end to a strike that has disrupted the entertainment industry for more than five months. This development offers a glimmer of hope for the resumption of scripted content production in Hollywood, which had been at a standstill since May.
“We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional – with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership,” the WGA said in a message to its members. “To be clear, no one is to return to work until specifically authorized to by the Guild. We are still on strike until then. But we are, as of today, suspending WGA picketing.”
The strike, which commenced 146 days ago, has had a significant impact on the entertainment landscape. Late-night talk shows were put on hold, TV shows and movies faced production delays, and the ripple effects extended throughout the industry. Warner Brothers estimated that the strike likely cost them approximately $500 million in earnings.
Meanwhile, in a separate labor dispute, an ongoing strike among autoworkers has raised concerns in the automotive industry. The United Autoworkers Union, which represents workers at several assembly plants, appears prepared to remain on strike for an extended period.
Internal emails obtained by CNN indicate that the union’s communication director expressed the belief that a months-long strike could “damage reputations” of the automakers and lead to “production line chaos.” The strike originally affected just three assembly plants, but on Friday the union moved to expand the work stoppage to 38 parts and distribution centers across 20 states amid ongoing negotiations.
Calls for Sen. Menendez’s resignation grow amid bribery charges
Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., has found himself under increasing pressure to resign following his recent indictment on bribery charges, announced last Friday. The calls for his resignation are coming from within his own party, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations against him.
Prominent Democrats, including Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have publicly called on Menendez to step down from his position in the wake of the indictment. Furthermore, fellow party members in his home state of New Jersey, including Gov. Phil Murphy, have also urged him to resign. In response to the indictment, Menendez took the step of resigning from his role as the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee.
“Those who believe in justice believe in innocence until proven guilty,” Menendez said in a statement Friday. “I intend to continue to fight for the people of New Jersey with the same success I’ve had for the past five decades. This is the same record of success these very same leaders have lauded all along.”
While some influential Democrats have not gone as far as explicitly demanding Menendez’s resignation, they have acknowledged the gravity of the charges against him. The indictment alleges that the senator and his wife accepted bribes that ultimately benefited the Egyptian government. The charges include conspiracy to commit bribery and conspiracy to commit extortion, and they stem from the discovery of nearly half a million dollars in cash inside the senator’s home.
Deadly SUV-train collision sparks concerns over railroad safety
A collision between an SUV and a train near Tampa, Florida, resulting in the loss of six lives, has reignited concerns over the safety of railroad crossings without adequate signals. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has raised questions about the need for enhanced safety measures at such intersections.
The crash unfolded when an SUV carrying seven people, including three children, attempted to cross the railroad tracks in front of an oncoming train. The force of the collision was so severe that it caused the SUV to flip multiple times, resulting in what authorities described as a “violent impact.”
“For unknown and undetermined reasons, the driver slowly crossed the tracks directly in the train’s path,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office said in a statement on Sunday. “Five rear passengers were ejected from the [SUV] as it rotated and rolled to final rest.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the train conductor had sounded the horn and activated flashing lights in an attempt to alert the SUV’s driver. Additionally, footage from cameras on the train indicated that the SUV had proceeded through a stop sign at the crossing. Despite the train’s efforts to brake, it was still traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour at the time of impact.
Recent poll finds Trump holds 10 percentage point lead over Biden
According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll released on Sunday poll, former President Donald Trump currently holds a 10 percentage point lead over President Joe Biden in a hypothetical matchup. However, the poll’s authors have cautioned against drawing significant conclusions from this data, emphasizing that other surveys have shown the two candidates in a much tighter race.
The Washington Post has said that this particular poll may be an “outlier,” noting that other recent polls have depicted a much more competitive race between Biden and Trump. This includes a CBS News poll conducted earlier this month which showed the two presidential hopefuls separated by just one percentage point.
In addition to exploring potential election scenarios, the poll also assessed the two candidates approval ratings. According to the findings, Biden’s approval rating currently stands at 37 percent, a five-point drop from February, while 56 percent of respondents expressed their disapproval of his performance.
Comparatively, when asked to retrospectively evaluate Trump’s presidency, the poll revealed that 48 percent of respondents approved of his presidency, with 49 percent expressing disapproval. That 48 percent approval rating represents a ten-point increase from when Trump left office in 2021 and is higher than his approval ratings during much of his White House tenure.
Former President Jimmy Carter makes surprise public appearance
Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, made a surprise visit to their hometown in Georgia, appearing before the crowd at the annual Plains Peanut Festival. This comes seven months after the former president entered hospice care at home and amid his wife’s recent dementia diagnosis.
During the visit, the couple greeted and waved to the gathered crowd as they drove through their hometown. The Carters, who have been married for 77 years, hold the distinction of being the nation’s longest-married presidential couple. Meanwhile, the nation’s 39th president is set to celebrate his 99th birthday next week.
NASA project may uncover clues about solar system origins
NASA completed a historic mission on Sunday when a return capsule safely landed on Earth, carrying with it newly collected asteroid samples that have the potential to unlock secrets about the formation of our solar system. The mission, which spanned seven years and covered a remarkable distance of 4 billion miles in space.
“Congratulations to the OSIRIS-REx team on a picture-perfect mission – the first American asteroid sample return in history – which will deepen our understanding of the origin of our solar system and its formation. Not to mention, Bennu is a potentially hazardous asteroid, and what we learn from the sample will help us better understand the types of asteroids that could come our way,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.
The capsule’s cargo of asteroid samples originates from the celestial body known as Bennu, and scientists estimate that these samples are approximately 4.5 billion years old.
UAW strike could cost billions. See the price of these 5 strikes in history.
United Auto Workers are striking against Detroit’s Big Three automakers at the same time for the first time. The impact could be financially devastating. Economists estimate 10 days on the picket lines against General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler-parent Stellantis could cost the U.S. economy $5.6 billion and push Michigan into a recession.
Strikes can financially strap companies, workers and the overall economy. Here are some of the costliest strikes in history in this week’s Five For Friday:
5: UPS, 1997
In 1997, the U.S. shipping landscape had one major player. UPS delivered around 80% of ground packages throughout the country. So when 185,000 UPS workers went on strike for 15 days over pensions, wages and part-time status, it cost the company roughly $800 million. USPS and FedEx had limited market share at the time and it was impossible to fill the void.
Since then, e-commerce has exploded with the likes of Amazon, shipping anything and everything to your home. When UPS workers contemplated another strike this summer, economists estimated that a 10-day strike would cost the U.S. economy $7.1 billion.
The fight over a salary cap in baseball — which never came to fruition — took a toll on goodwill with fans. It took more than a decade for per-game attendance to return to pre-strike levels.
3: Southern California Supermarkets, 2003-2004
In the fall of 2003, 70,000 supermarket workers in southern California went on strike against four major chains in the region. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union claimed Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions and Ralph’s were trying to reduce benefits to compete with Walmart.
‘Barbenheimer’ is a billion-dollar blast for box office but strikes loom large
It’s Barbie’s world now. The reigning queen of the box office has pulled in around $800 million globally through two weeks, while domestic totals topped more than a third of a billion dollars.
But the box office magic doesn’t stop there. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” had the best second weekend ever for an R-rated summer movie at $46.6 million, becoming the first R-rated film to gross more than $10 million per day for 10 days in a row. So far “Oppenheimer” has brought in more than $400 million worldwide.
“There are headwinds happening right now amidst this sugar high that we’re on with ‘Barbenheimer,’” Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian said.
How are strikes having an immediate impact?
“No question that the writers’ strike and the actors’ strike have a profound impact the longer this goes on, meaning actors can’t actively promote their films, go on talk shows, do Q&As, all those various appearances, red carpets,” Dergarabedian said. “And that certainly puts a damper a bit on the marketing efforts. And then beyond that, if you don’t have writers writing scripts, you don’t have movies in the pipeline. So that will eventually slow down, maybe not completely dry up.”
The actors’ strike will certainly impact more star-driven movies in terms of marketing, Dergarabedian said. But he doesn’t blame just that for the Disney “Haunted Mansion” flop, which came out one week after “Barbenheimer” and brought in a measly $24 million domestically on its first weekend.
“The steamroller that is ‘Barbenheimer’ was just gonna take out everything in its wake,” he said. “And I think that happened with ‘Haunted Mansion.’ The good news, I think, for ‘Haunted Mansion’ is that Halloween is right around the corner, Disney+ is waiting.”
How long before the content machine dries up?
“The longer this goes, and especially when we get into the holiday movie season, awards season, where it’s really important that the actors and filmmakers go out and talk about those movies, that’s a big deal,” Dergarabedian said. “And then beyond that, again, if you don’t have scripts being written, you can’t produce movies. And if you don’t have movies, what are you going to go to the movie theater for?”
Hollywood is already making adjustments in the wake of the strikes, which have had little movement over the past months. For instance, Sony pushed back the release date of “Gran Turismo” by two weeks amid the strikes, now set to come out Aug. 25.
Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America and major studios have agreed to meet this week for the first time since the writers’ strike began in May.
How ‘Barbenheimer’ bolstered the box office
Movie theaters will have no say in strike negotiations, though they’ll surely be impacted the longer they go on. But for now, the box office is basking in the sun of “Barbenheimer,” the best cinematic movement since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think this is the greatest thing – the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon – that could have happened for movie theaters. Because if the naysayers aren’t silenced at this point about thinking that the movie theater is gonna go away and streaming is gonna take over, I don’t know what you have to do,” Dergarabedian said. “There’s nothing like that cultural resonance that a movie theater release can bring.”
