Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has enlisted the help of recently ousted Republican Representative George Santos to troll indicted colleague Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. The Fetterman campaign paid Santos to record a video on the Cameo app, which has sparked debate about the current state of politics in Congress. The implications of the expulsion of Santos remain to be seen, as the Fetterman campaign has not yet commented on the video or its purpose.
News Mash
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) is confident he can win the upcoming Iowa caucus despite trailing former President Donald Trump in the polls. He has released an ad featuring Iowa voters who voted for Trump in the past but are now supporting DeSantis, and has pledged to offer an alternative health care plan to Obamacare if elected. The Iowa caucus will be a key indicator of the race for the Republican nomination.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing at Macy's in Philadelphia on Monday. The incident began when the suspect allegedly attempted to steal hats from the store, and upon returning 10 minutes later, he began stabbing two security guards, killing one and wounding the other. The suspect was arrested by SEPTA police and is being held at the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit, while the investigation is ongoing.
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is currently underway in Dubai, UAE, presided over by Sultan Al Jaber. Al Jaber has been criticized for his attempts to use the talks to strike oil and gas deals and for his dismissal of the need to urgently phase out fossil fuels. He has argued that there is "no science" to support the idea of phasing out fossil fuels, sparking debate among those attending the conference. It remains to be seen whether a deal to phase out fossil fuels will be reached.
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday in a case that could determine the fate of Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy plan, which includes a provision protecting the Sackler family from liability for the opioid epidemic. The Biden administration has objected to the plan, arguing that it gives the Sacklers too much protection, and justices expressed skepticism that a bankruptcy court had legal authority to release the Sacklers from potential legal claims. The Supreme Court's decision could have far-reaching implications for the opioid epidemic and the Sackler family, as it will determine whether the Sacklers will be protected from future civil lawsuits.
Victor Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, was arrested on Monday for secretly working for Cuba since 1981 and providing information to the Cuban government. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison if convicted. The arrest is part of the U.S. government's efforts to combat foreign interference in the United States.
Oxford University Press has announced that the viral term “rizz” has been crowned its “word of the year” for 2023. It is defined as a noun meaning style, charm, attractiveness or the ability to attract a romantic or sexual partner, and is increasingly popular among Gen Zers due to the prevalence of rizz-related memes. The OUP’s decision is a testament to the power of language to be formed, shaped, and shared within communities, before being picked up more widely in society.
The White House has warned Congress that the United States is running out of resources to provide aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia. Without additional funding, the aid package will be depleted by the end of the year, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to further Russian aggression. Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young urged Congress to act quickly to provide additional funding for the aid package.