[ad_1]
Biden declared: As expected, President Biden announced today that he is running for re-election. The pre-recorded video announcement was released this morning, just in time for the morning network TV show. In the recording, Biden said he wanted to finish what he started in his first term.
Harry Belafonte: Singer Harry Belafonte has died at the age of 96. The cause of death was reported to be congestive heart failure. Belafonte is known for his Calypso music such as “Matilda, Matilda” and “Banana Boat Song”. Belafonte starred in several films and was very active in the civil rights movement.
Sudan ceasefire: Sudan has imposed a 72-hour ceasefire, at least temporarily halting fighting between two rival factions trying to take control of the government. U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S. government was not actively sending convoys of U.S. citizens out of the country after U.S. embassy staff had already been evacuated. Blinken did say the U.S. government is providing advice to help people trying to find a way out of Sudan.
Carlson shot: Reports suggest that it was Fox President Rupert Murdoch who personally ordered the firing of Fox News prime-time host Tucker Carlson. It was also reported that Carlson was highly critical and even abusive in his internal communications regarding his disagreements with Fox News management. As of this morning, Carlson has not said what his future plans are.
Abortion ban: North Dakota’s Republican Gov. Doug Burgum signed a law banning all abortions in North Dakota, with only a small window of exception in cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies. Exceptions for rape, incest, or medical emergencies are only allowed up to six weeks after conception, during which time many women don’t even know they’re pregnant. A court battle over the new law is expected as courts continue to challenge North Dakota’s previous law that tightened restrictions on abortion.
GM Finance: GM reported this morning first-quarter 2023 revenue of $39.9 billion and net income of $2.4 billion. Revenue was higher than the $35.9 billion reported in the first quarter of 2022, but net income was lower than the $2.9 billion reported in the first quarter of 2022. CEO Mary Barra said GM plans to produce 50,000 electric vehicles in the first half of this year.
3M layoffs: 3M this morning reported sales of $8 billion for the first quarter of 2023, a 9% decrease from the first quarter of 2022. Net income was $856 million. 3M announced plans to cut 6,000 jobs, saving $700 million to $900 million annually.
Cover photo: Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge in “Carmen Jones” (1954), courtesy of FilmForum
[ad_2]
Source link