president donald trump UNGA speech 092419
Trump condemns open border policies as 'cruel and evil'
02:38 - Source: CNN
CNN  — 

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    The Nasdaq topped 10,000 for the first time ever, proving that during this period of economic uncertainty, America still has faith in tech stocks like Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Netflix.

    Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)

    1. Police reform

    Two announcements have just shed a stark light on the state of immigration in the US. Customs and Border Protection announced nearly 475,000 migrant families were arrested at the southern border over the past year. That’s an increase of 342% since the 2018 fiscal year. The dramatic spike is due in part to an increase of asylum-seekers. The US is also on track to not admit any refugees into the country during the month of October. A pause on admissions that was expected to lift yesterday was extended into November, leaving hundreds with cancelled flights and unsure futures. This is the third time this month the State Department has delayed refugee admissions. The Trump administration has proposed capping the number of refugees allowed into the US next fiscal year at 18,000, a historic low. But until the President signs off on the cap, no new refugees can be admitted come mid-November.

    WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he walks toward Marine One before departing from the White House on May 14, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Louisiana.  (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
    Kushner pushing plan to overhaul US immigration system
    02:04 - Source: CNN

    Democratic leaders say they want to conduct a thorough investigation, but prolonging the probe will continue to consume Washington and could push the whole thing into the presidential election year. That could create serious complications and risks for everyone involved. The public patience for Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top Dems could run dry, or, on the Republican side, more attention to Trump’s alleged dealings with Ukraine could turn public favor against him.

    MONDAY

    Well, we have our first official screaming match in the ever-acrimonious impeachment proceedings. Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the National Security Council official in charge of Ukraine policy, was interviewed by impeachment investigators. But during his deposition, Democrats and Republicans in the room got into a verbal tussle over the nature of the questions. House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff essentially accused Republicans of trying to goad Vindman into revealing the identity of the Ukraine whistleblower. The Republicans denied this, and before long, the sides were shouting at each other. During his testimony, Vindman said he was concerned over the contents of the July 25 call at the center of the inquiry and immediately raised a red flag to other officials. Vindman’s input is critical because he is the first witness to offer testimony in the inquiry who actually listened to the call. 

    National Security Council Director for European Affairs Alexander Vindman arrives for a closed-door deposition at the US Capitol in Washington, DC on October 29, 2019. - Vindman plans to tell Congress Tuesday that he witnessed efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate President Donald Trump's rival Joe Biden, and that he reported it as a national security risk. Vindman will be the first White House official to testify to the House impeachment inquiry that Trump and allied diplomats improperly pressured the Ukraine government to open investigations designed to help Trump politically. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
    Trump defenders questioning Vindman's patriotism
    02:41 - Source: CNN

    Kendrick Castillo died a hero. When a fellow student pulled out a gun in class this week, the 18-year-old lunged at the shooter, giving others at STEM School Highlands Ranch enough time to hide. Castillo’s sacrifice was remembered during a vigil at the suburban Denver school. Eight other students were injured in the shooting. The two suspects accused in the crime – both students at the school – made their first court appearances Wednesday. It’s the second time in as many weeks that a student was killed confronting a gunman at school. It happened last week at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte when Riley Howell died after knocking down a gunman. Howell’s parents say they are devastated that another family has to go through similar pain.

    3. Election 2020

    China’s State Council has released a set of new morality rules urging Chinese citizens to “inherit the red gene.” The phrase refers to the political philosophies of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which focus heavily on concepts of nationalism, “socialism with Chinese characteristics” and traditional Chinese virtues like positivity and charity. The updated rules come as Xi and senior leaders gather in Beijing to set the national agenda for the coming years. Experts say the focus on nationalism and obedience may be a defensive response to economic struggles wrought by the ongoing trade war with the US. Meanwhile, UN members have issued dueling statements regarding China’s treatment of the country’s Uyghur Muslim population. The US, Canada, Japan and Australia were among the countries condemning China’s treatment of the ethnic minority group. China’s ally Belarus led the other statement, characterizing China’s actions as a “counter-terrorism” program.

    Members of a Chinese military honor guard stand at attention during a rehearsal before a large parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Chinese Communist Party leader and President Xi Jinping on Monday renewed his government's commitment to allowing Hong Kong to manage its own affairs amid continuing anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
    China shows off military in anniversary parade
    02:30 - Source: CNN

    THURSDAY

    We’ll make this one quick (unlike Brexit). It looks like the UK will head to the polls in December. Parliament came down yesterday in favor of an early general election. In exchange, Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed to shelve his Brexit deal for now. His Conservative party is hoping the elections will give it a political majority, but it’s still a gamble. Former Prime Minister Theresa May pulled a similar move in 2017 and lost her party’s slim majority. Also, UK voters are probably tired of, well, voting for things: They’ve pulled the lever in three major polls since 2015. And the latest moves could pave the way for a second referendum on Brexit.

    Split screen of Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn
    UK opposition backs early election to break Brexit deadlock
    02:46 - Source: CNN

    5. Nigeria

    Is this the start of a new and longed-for era in college sports? The NCAA Board of Governors voted unanimously to allow student athletes to be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness. This is a huge deal. For years, there’s been hot debate over whether college athletes, who often become huge celebrities and represent multimillion-dollar programs, should get paid for their presence in ads, merchandise, off-the-field appearances and other sports-adjacent ventures. Under current rules, even something as simple as a few bucks exchanged for an autograph can signal a big violation. The NCAA’s stunning reversal has stirred cautious optimism from many in the sports world, but it’s not a done deal yet. The three divisions of the organization need to decide on rules for the shift between now and January 2021.

    PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 17:  Wide receiver Antonio Brown #25 of the UCLA Bruins  waits with teammates to take the field during the first half of a football game at Rose Bowl on November 17, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
    How college athletes could get paid in California
    01:53 - Source: CNN

    BREAKFAST BROWSE

    RIP, John Witherspoon

    The comedian and actor who starred in “Friday” has died at age 77.

    John Witherspoon looks on as Los Angeles Street Ballers compete for the chance to play against the 2004 Team AND1 on the blacktop of the The Great Western Fourm in Inglewood, California June 9, 2004. (Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage)
    Actor John Witherspoon has died at the age of 77
    00:52 - Source: CNN

    Samsung teases new foldable ‘clamshell phone’

    Pretty sure phones that looked like this were around in 2007.

    ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of Dragon’ is coming to HBO

    If you think for one minute we’re going to watch this after the crushing disappointment of the “Thrones” finale, well … you’re totally right.

    Game of Thrones Finale
    Finally, we know who wins the game of thrones
    01:50 - Source: CNN

    Florida man jumps off surfboard and lands on shark

    Also known as a Volusia County Dismount.

    Thousands of avocados spilled out on a roadway

    It was a guac-ing affair.

    texas avocado crash 2
    Avocados litter highway after truck accident
    01:22 - Source: KSAT

    TODAY’S QUOTE

    “C’est moi.”

    An excerpt from a letter signed by 72 female members of the UK’s Parliament, voicing their solidarity with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who has dealt with what the letter calls “distasteful and misleading” news coverage about herself and her family.

    TODAY’S NUMBER

    The number of homeless people who were reported to have died in Los Angeles in 2018. It’s a drastic increase in homeless deaths across the city and is nearly double the number of deaths recorded in 2013.

    Boise seeks SCOTUS ruling on homeless camping _00004415.jpg
    Boise seeks SCOTUS ruling on homeless camping
    04:22 - Source: CNN

    TODAY’S WEATHER

    daily weather forecast santa ana winds snow rain halloween_00000000.jpg
    Extreme fire danger for Southern California
    01:31 - Source: CNN

    AND FINALLY

    Who’s up for a sleigh ride? 

    If you’ve ever had the sticky Japanese rice snack known as mochi, you know it’s a soft, enjoyable treat for the senses. The process of making it? Definitely not soft – though probably pretty enjoyable! (Click here to view.)