Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pushed House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday to reject a spending bill from the Senate that fails to make significant changes that could help end President Joe Biden’s historic illegal immigration crisis on the southern border. DeSantis made the remarks during an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt when asked about the deal that Senate Democrats and Biden presented to Johnson yesterday‚ which included “funding for Ukraine‚ funding for Taiwan‚ funding for Israel‚ and some minor changes to border law‚” Hewitt said. “Speaker Johnson said no. I want this rejected unless there are 900 miles of border wall authorized in a way that cannot be avoided and constructed with current dollars‚” Hewitt said. “What do you think of the deal that was offered? What do you think Speaker Johnson should say?” “Yeah‚ it should be dead on arrival‚” the Republican presidential candidate responded. “We have an unprecedented crisis at our border where we’ve had over eight million people come in illegally from all over the world‚ including from hostile nations with hostile populations. And yet Biden is basically just greenlighting it. When he’s asked for money in the past‚ it hasn’t been to stop the illegal immigration. It’s been to process more illegals. And we’re now in a situation where New York City is closing down a school‚ sending the kids home so that they can commandeer it to house illegal aliens? It’s crazy. And of course‚ this has made us vulnerable to terrorist attacks.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP DeSantis said Republicans must insist on the border crisis being solved with this package‚ including funding the border wall and cleaning up the existing language in immigration law that has allowed Biden to “abuse his power” and allow the immigration crisis to unfold. “The public is with the Republicans on this. This is Biden’s issue‚” DeSantis said. “Of all the issues that he’s handling‚ and he’s unpopular on most‚ this one is‚ like‚ the worst. He’s got the worst ratings that any president has ever had on immigration and the border. You guys can win this fight. Just hold firm.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials said this week that an illegal alien was released back into the public after being arrested for alleged sexual crimes. ICE said that they apprehended the 31-year-old Haitian national on January 9 after he was “recently arrested by local police on charges of rape and indecent assault and battery on a developmentally disabled person in Dorchester‚” the agency said in a statement. “ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer against the Haitian citizen‚ but the Dorchester District Court chose not to honor it and released him from jail after his arrest on the sexual assault-related charges.” Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin said that the suspect’s name was Pierre Lucard Emile‚ according to an ICE source. “Source also provided a photo of him from federal database‚” he wrote on X. “His name was not included in the ICE press release. He remains in ICE custody.” UPDATE: Per ICE source‚ the 31-year-old Haitian man’s name is Pierre Lucard Emile. Source also provided a photo of him from federal database. His name was not included in the ICE press release. He remains in ICE custody. pic.twitter.com/LZBlqLLdaF — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) January 18‚ 2024 ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons said‚ “Disturbingly and despite our filing an immigration detainer‚ this individual was released back into the community by the criminal court.” The suspect illegally entered the country at the port of entry in Brownsville‚ Texas‚ in December 2022‚ and was issued a notice to appear before an immigration judge‚ ICE said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Following his arrest by Boston police in September 2023‚ “ERO Boston lodged an immigration detainer with the Dorchester District Court seeking his custody‚” the agency said. “The court did not honor the immigration detainer‚ and the noncitizen was ultimately released from the jail in Boston‚ where he had been held since his arrest‚ with an electronic monitoring device Nov. 8‚ 2023‚ pending the resolution of his criminal charges in a local criminal court.” “After becoming aware of his recent arrest and unlawful immigration status‚ ERO Boston began an investigation to confirm the Haitian citizen’s presence its area of responsibility‚” ICE added. “Following confirmation of his presence‚ officers with ERO Boston arrested him without incident in Dorchester Jan. 9.”

In southern Oklahoma’s Richards Spur‚ a region with a rich paleontological tapestry‚ scientists have unraveled a time-traveling tale. They discovered what is now regarded as the oldest known fossilized reptile skin‚ providing a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary past. Ethan Mooney‚ the lead study author and a biology master’s student at the University of Toronto‚ characterizes the discovery as “quite an incredible story.” A glimpse into the past: beyond mammals and dinosaurs This relic‚ a slice of skin the size of a fingernail‚ provides a glimpse into an ancient epoch before both mammals and the oldest dinosaurs. This find‚ which dates back an estimated 286-289 million years‚ is more than 130 million years older than comparable samples. Mooney emphasizes the significance‚ writing‚ “It represents the first chapter of higher vertebrate evolution.” The Richards Spur Richards Spur‚ previously an open limestone cave‚ turned into a fossil-rich site between 286 and 289 million years ago. The site’s unique conditions‚ marked by oxygen-poor sediments and oil seeps‚ created a haven for preservation. Mooney goes on to say‚ “The sheer chance for a soft tissue structure to be preserved…is quite an incredible story.” A mummified relic: fom fragility to resilience Soft tissue‚ which is rare in fossils‚ decays before it can be preserved. However‚ the skin specimen from Richard’s Spur defies expectations. Tea Maho‚ a study co-author‚ recalls the delicate nature of the find‚ stating‚ “If you were to have pressed it a little too hard‚ it would have just cracked.” The chance preservation adds another element to the fascinating story. Identifying the mysterious skin: Captorhinus Aguti’s legacy While the exact reptilian source is unknown‚ the researchers suspect that Captorhinus aguti‚ a lizard-like creature from the Permian Period‚ was the original possessor. The similarities between the skin sample and the skeletal remains of C. aguti discovered on the site give persuasive evidence. The ancient skin’s uncanny likeness to modern crocodile skin is an intriguing revelation. Mooney emphasizes‚ “The fact that we have an example from one of these earliest reptiles and it’s quite consistent with what we see in modern reptiles underscores how important that structure was.” The findings give concrete evidence for the importance of skin adaptation in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial settings. Evolutionary milestones: lessons from 289 million years ago As scientists continue to peel back the layers of Richards Spur‚ each fossil discovered adds a brushstroke to the changing picture of Earth’s past. Nearly 300 million years ago‚ life looked very different‚ but as Mooney proposes‚ “reptile skin might not have.” In the silent depths of an Oklahoma quarry‚ a paper-thin relic whispers secrets from ages ago‚ challenging our understanding of the ancient dance of life and time. Source study: Current Biology—Paleozoic cave system preserves oldest-known evidence of amniote skin  The post Fossilized reptile skin unearthed in Oklahoma is the oldest known to man first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Mar Galcerán‚ an advocate for inclusivity‚ made history as Spain’s first legislator with Down syndrome. The 45-year-old voted to Valencia’s regional assembly‚ reflects on her path‚ and emphasizes the importance of being recognized for more than just her impairment. Galcerán’s political career began at the age of 18 when she joined the conservative People’s Party (PP)‚ enticed by its traditionalist values. Years of dedication paid off in May‚ when she secured the 20th slot on the PP’s candidate list for Valencia’s regional elections‚ resulting in her historic feat. Carlos Mazón‚ the regional PP leader‚ celebrated her victory on social media‚ calling it “great news for politics‚ overcoming barriers.” Galcerán’s victory places him among the few people with Down syndrome to have entered politics‚ emulating the historic triumphs of Éléonore Laloux in France and Fintan Bray of Ireland.  Ángela Bachiller: a legacy of inclusion In 2013‚ Ángela Bachiller became Spain’s first city councilor with Down syndrome in Valladolid. Galcerán now follows in her footsteps. According to Agustín Matía Amor of Down España‚ Galcerán’s achievement is significant as she may be the first in Europe to join a regional or national parliament. Matía Amor stresses Galcerán’s journey as a reflection of decades of dedicated work to enhance the status of those with Down syndrome. Galcerán’s achievement‚ which includes over 20 years as a civil servant in Valencia and leadership at Asindown‚ an organization that supports families with Down syndrome children‚ exemplifies true inclusion and societal growth. Mixed reactions and social media scrutiny While the Spanish media praised Galcerán’s swearing-in last September‚ her online reception was mixed. She acknowledges receiving support and doubt on social media‚ saying‚ “There are individuals who support me. However‚ others believe I am incapable. However‚ they are folks who are unfamiliar with me or my background. Navigating this new duty‚ Galcerán professes a desire to learn and perform well to benefit Valencians and people with diverse capacities. She understands the importance of her work and strives to eliminate prevailing biases toward people with Down syndrome. “I want people to see me as a person‚ not just for my disability‚” she asserted. Inspire change‚ challenge prejudice Galcerán sees her role in the regional parliament as a catalyst for change. Through her commitment to inclusive policies and years of service‚ she hopes to create a shift in social views. Her journey acts as a beacon‚ demonstrating the potential for people with Down syndrome to make important contributions to the political environment. In her own words‚ she expresses her goals: “I want to learn how to do it well‚ for Valencianos‚ and more importantly‚ for those of us who have different abilities.” Galcerán’s remarkable feat is more than a personal triumph; it represents a step toward a more open and understanding society.The post Mar Galcerán shatters stereotypes as Spain’s first parliamentarian with Down syndrome first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'We need a better system to help these people get on their feet and to be safe and healthy'

Some 99% of American companies are small businesses‚ and 100% of businesses started out small‚ but a recently finalized rule from the Biden administration’s Labor Department will make it harder for small businesses to start‚ grow and succeed. As of last May 1‚ a White House news release pointed out‚ “Young firms‚ which often start small with few employees‚ are a driving force in job creation.” That’s been particularly true since the COVID-19 pandemic‚ as small businesses with fewer than 50 employees have accounted for a growing share of new jobs. But a new Biden administration rule that significantly restricts the ability of businesses to hire contractors (also known as independent workers‚ freelancers or gig workers) will instead drive out small-business job creation. That’s because small businesses rely heavily on contractors‚ both to help them grow and to maintain day-to-day operations. But the new rule significantly restricts the ability for companies to hire contractors. Businesses with four or fewer employees use 6.7 contractors‚ on average. That’s how they compete with bigger companies and how they expand over time. Imagine a small landscaping company that has three employees and contracts with a half-dozen others for services‚ such as tree removal‚ stonework and lighting installation. If the company owner had to treat those contract workers as formal employees‚ he would have to be in charge of‚ and liable for‚ the work they perform (even though he’s not an expert in‚ and does not supervise‚ their services); would have to restrict their hours; and provide various employee benefits and tax payments. Under the Labor Department’s recently finalized rule that’s scheduled to take effect March 11‚ at least some of the factors specified in the rule would signal that these landscape service contractors should instead be treated as employees. Since it’s unlikely that the owner could provide those contractors with enough work and because they likely want to have control over their work‚ it’s likely that the owner would have to cut ties with those contractors and stop offering their services. But offering fewer services will make it harder to compete with bigger companies who have the scale and resources to employ specialized workers in-house. The more restrictive definition of independent contracting is likely to hurt not just small businesses‚ but their current employees as well. For example‚ one of the easiest ways for companies to provide paid family leave to employees with minimal disruptions is to hire independent contractors to fill in for them. But under the new rule‚ performing work that’s integral to the employer’s business indicates employee status‚ which would make it more difficult and costly to provide paid family leave. The administration estimates that its rule will affect 35% of businesses‚ or 2.8 million in total‚ that engage with independent contractors‚ but that’s almost certainly an underestimate. A 2021 survey by Gusto‚ a provider of payroll and human resources services used by more than 200‚000 small and medium-sized businesses‚ found that 62% of businesses said that their company’s success was dependent on independent contractors or that it would be much harder to have a profitable business without independent contractors‚ and 90% of businesses said they plan to maintain or increase their use of contractors in the future. In addition to constraints the rule will place on small businesses’ use of contractors‚ the rule is utterly confusing and ambiguous. While big businesses often have lawyers and “compensation‚ benefits‚ and job specialist analysts” to interpret the 106-page rule and try to determine the status of each of their employees and contractors‚ it will be far more difficult and costly for small businesses to attempt to understand and comply with the rule. Whereas the current rule requires businesses to look at just two core factors in most cases—the business’s control over the work and the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss—the proposed rule contains six factors‚ as well as multiple (and potentially conflicting) factors within factors. Moreover‚ whereas the current rule prioritizes two core factors‚ the new rule ensures subjectivity and confusion by specifying that “no one factor or subset of factors is necessarily dispositive.” In other words‚ there’s no way for employers to know whether they’ve made the appropriate determination unless they’re charged with improperly classifying workers and have to defend their rationale. Even then‚ reasonable-minded investigators of worker-classification violations could come to different conclusions depending on the weight they apply to each factor. Already‚ Sen. Bill Cassidy‚ R-La.‚ introduced a Congressional Review Act‚ or CRA‚ to repeal the new independent contractor rule‚ but to take effect‚ that CRA would presumably require enough votes to override a presidential veto. To provide a permanent and comprehensive solution‚ including much-needed clarity on independent contractor status‚ Congress should establish a bright-line and consistent test to unambiguously determine who is an “employee” and who is an “independent contractor.” That definition should be the same across employment‚ tax‚ labor‚ pension‚ and health care laws. Where ambiguity exists‚ the choice should be left to workers and employers to decide their preferred status. The 21st Century Worker Act would provide such clarity and consistency across federal law while prioritizing the freedom and opportunities for millions of small businesses and tens of millions of independent workers to run their businesses and earn their livelihoods in the ways that work best for them. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post New Biden Labor Dept. Rule Likely to Hurt Millions of Small Businesses‚ Independent Contractors appeared first on The Daily Signal.

WEF Theme Is 'Rebuilding Trust' - Now Eat the Bugs

Brickgate: Woman Who Claimed She was Hit With a Brick Charged With Theft of GoFundMe Money

Welcome to 2024‚ where a unique and lovable cat at a Virginia shelter is capturing hearts with his quest for a healthier life and a forever home. Meet “One Frosty Too Many‚” affectionately known as Frosty‚ a charming gray-and-white cat with striking golden eyes. Tipping the scales at 28.5 pounds‚ Frosty’s size is as notable... The post Cat tipping the scales at 28 lbs named “One frosty too many” finds perfect owner to care for him appeared first on Animal Channel.

GOP Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona and several other Republicans are pushing legislation that would require abortion providers to do ultrasounds prior to performing an abortion.The measure would require an abortion provider or an agent under their supervision to "display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them" and to describe the images‚ including "the dimensions of the embryo or fetus‚ cardiac activity if present and visible‚ and the presence of external members and internal organs if present and viewable." The pregnant woman may choose not to look at the ultrasound images as they are shown and described‚ the measure notes.The bill stipulates that the ultrasound would not be required "if the abortion is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder‚ physical illness‚ or physical injury‚ including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.""Any abortion provider in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce‚ who knowingly performs any abortion‚ shall comply with the requirements of this title‚" the text of the measure reads."The Biden Administration's heinous pro-abortion policies continue to incentivize women to end the lives of innocent‚ unborn American children. My legislation provides pregnant women a safe and intimate opportunity to rethink their abortion. This subtle but important process change can potentially save millions of unborn lives. Defending the right to life remains one of my top priorities in Congress‚" Biggs said‚ according to a press release.Cosponsors for the proposal include GOP Reps. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina‚ Andy Harris of Maryland‚ Rep. Matthew Rosendale Sr. of Montana‚ Alex Mooney of West Virginia‚ Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois‚ Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas‚ and Rep. Eric Burlison Missouri‚ according to the press release.But while GOP lawmakers push pro-life legislation‚ Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to embark on a pro-choice tour. "The Vice President's 'Fight for Reproductive Freedoms' tour will kick off with an event in Wisconsin on Jan. 22‚ the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade‚" the White House announced in December.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!