Wednesday Afternoon Update: Fed Hikes Interest Rates, Deluge Of Illegal Aliens, Jay Leno Gives Update On His Face

This article is a companion piece to today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click here.

Fed Hikes Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the seventh time this year and signaled that more hikes are on the way.

While the 50 basis point hike was smaller than the previous four hikes, it still puts the rate at its highest level in 15 years, further raising the cost of consumer items and the risk of recession.

Government Spending Bill Agreement Reached

Lawmakers leading the negotiations on a government funding bill announced late Tuesday they’ve reached an agreement on a “framework” for a bill that should allow them to avert a shutdown. By midnight on Friday, the two chambers need to pass another short-term measure to keep the government running through December 23, allowing negotiators time to complete work on the full-year bill.

World Cup Journalist’s Cause Of Death Revealed

Journalist Grant Wahl’s cause of death has been revealed following an autopsy after his sudden passing while reporting at the World Cup in Qatar. Wahl’s widow, Dr. Celine Gounder, told CBS News on Wednesday that her husband’s death was due to a heart condition.

14k Illegal Aliens Per Day Expected

A new report indicates that America could experience as many as 14,000 illegal aliens entering the country per day once the pandemic-era Title 42 policy ends on December 21.

United Kingdom To Crack Down On Illegal Immigrants

Recently elected British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new measures to deliver on the promise of tackling illegal immigration, including a deal with Albania to speed up the return of Albanian asylum seekers, who make up a third of those arriving in the United Kingdom by small boats, according to the prime minister’s office.

All 29 Senate Incumbents Win Re-Election

An analysis from The Washington Free Beacon reported that while 20% of Americans approve of their representation in Congress, all 29 Senate incumbents won reelection in the midterms — a once-in-a-century event.

Dutch Court Upholds Ban On Assisted Suicide

A Dutch court on Wednesday upheld the Netherlands’ ban on assisted suicide, despite an effort from activists who said the prohibition infringes on their right to determine when their lives end.

In a statement, the court said, “The right to decide for oneself about one’s own end of life is indeed protected. However, this right to self-determination does not go so far that there is also a right to obtain assisted suicide.”

Norwegian Woman Faces Jailtime For Facebook Post

A Norwegian lesbian could spend up to three years in prison for saying on Facebook that men are not able to be lesbians, with authorities arguing that her post constituted hate speech.

Ten Years Since Sandy Hook Shooting

Today marks one decade since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting where a mass shooter claimed the lives of 20 students and six members of staff.

Jay Leno Speaks For First Time Since Accident

Celebrity Jay Leno spoke with “Today” for the first time since an auto injury left him with severe burns, revealing what happened.

“The fuel line was clogged so I was underneath it. It sounded clogged and I said, ‘Blow some air through the line,’ and so he did. And suddenly, boom, I got a face full of gas. And then the pilot light jumped and my face caught on fire,” he explained.

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Famed Dancer And Ellen DeGeneres’ DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss Has Died

Famed Dancer and Ellen DeGeneres’ DJ, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, has died from what authorities say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. tWitch began his career in 2008 after landing the runner-up spot on “So You Think You Can Dance.” Following his big break, tWitch appeared in several films. He was 40 years old.

Severe Weather Kills Two

Two people — a mother and son — were killed in a tornado in Louisiana on Tuesday. Tornadoes and severe storms are also expected across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Meanwhile, much of the north and central plains are under a winter weather advisory and are experiencing heavy snow and blizzard conditions.

Peru’s Government Declares 30-Day National Emergency

Peru’s new government declared a 30-day national emergency on Wednesday amid violent protests following the expulsion of President Pedro Castillo, suspending the rights of people to gather and move freely across the nation. Peru’s new president, Dina Boluarte, pleaded for calm as demonstrations continue against her and the Congress that ousted her predecessor.

To listen to the audio version of this podcast, click here. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

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