Biden's new plans for the southern border; Fox after Carlson; E. Jean Carroll's testimony

Plus, listen to a mother's perspective on the violence in Sudan. [View this email online]( [NPR Up First Newsletter]( by Suzanne Nuyen April 28, 2023 Good morning. A German magazine published an article with the "first interview" with race car legend Michael Schumacher in years. [It was AI-generated](. Don't worry: This newsletter is definitely written by a real person. Here's what else we're following today. The U.S. will establish new immigration processing centers in Latin America as part of the Biden administration's plan to [deter migrants from coming to the U.S.-Mexico border](. At the centers, migrants can learn if they qualify to enter the U.S. legally. Those without valid asylum claims will be quickly deported through "expedited removal." The new policies are meant to replace pandemic-era restrictions known as Title 42, which expire next month. Migrant advocates and immigration hardliners have both criticized the plan. [Migrants walk into U.S. custody after crossing the border from Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, Wednesday, March 29, 2023.]( Christian Chavez/AP 🎧 “The Biden administration is trying to send the message that the border is not open just because Title 42 … is set to end next month,” NPR’s Joel Rose tells the Up First podcast this morning. He adds, "In the short run, there is wide agreement — even from the administration — that we’re going to [see a jump in the number of migrants crossing the border](. Rose notes, "hundreds of thousands of people … have left their homes fleeing from violence, poverty and political destabilization" and "they're growing increasingly desperate to seek asylum." Thousands of viewers have deserted Fox News following Tucker Carlson's dismissal, while rival network Newsmax has enjoyed a massive audience bump, according to Nielsen data. Former Fox producer Abby Grossberg has named Carlson in an ongoing lawsuit against Fox. She alleges he contributed to a [sexist, misogynistic and bigoted workplace](. 🎧 NPR's David Folkenflik tells Up First that Newsmax has been "playing up the idea that Fox has fired Tucker Carlson because it's gone lib, it's gone woke, it's gone Democrat," and the messaging has worked for them in the ratings. But he says Fox believes "[they'll regroup and come out fine, if not stronger]( and pointed to how the network recovered after ousting Glenn Beck and Bill O'Reilly. Former President Trump's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, concluded writer E. Jean Carroll's cross-examination yesterday about an alleged encounter she had with Trump at a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. [Carroll maintains that Trump sexually assaulted and then defamed her]( when she went public. Trump attacked his accuser on social media on Wednesday, drawing a rebuke from the judge. 🎧 NPR’s Andrea Bernstein tells Up First that Tacopina questioned Carroll’s credibility and asked why she didn’t bring her case sooner. She says Carroll responded that she "[felt ashamed and afraid she wouldn't be believed]( and had only been motivated to come forward many years later after Harvey Weinstein’s rapes were exposed in 2018 and the ‘Me Too’ movement was launched." --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- [Buses are parked along a deserted street as people flee the southern part of Khartoum on April 27, 2023]( AFP via Getty Images Muhjah Khateeb is a 42-year-old doctor and project manager from Khartoum. In a series of audio diaries, she describes living through the violent conflict between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces to NPR's Emmanuel Akinwotu. 🎧 Listen to her firsthand account of what she witnessed and how she felt as she [searched for her 15-year-old son]( spent Eid alone and planned her escape from her home. --------------------------------------------------------------- [A screenshot from the film "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." depicting Margaret, played by Abby Fortson, and Kathy Bates as her grandmother laughing in bed.]( Dana Hawley/Lionsgate Check out what [our critics]( are watching, reading and listening to this weekend: 🍿 Movies: Judy Blume's 1970 classic [Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret]( has often been banned for its frank treatment of a teen girl's inner life. But the book endures, and now the movie adaptation is bringing all of its warmth, humor and wry wisdom to a new generation. 📺 TV: John Mulaney's latest comedy special [Baby J]( is focused on one person: himself. 📚 Books: [Billy the Kid Makes It Big]( is Dolly Parton's latest children's book about a dog musician who succeeds in the music industry by being himself. 🎧 Parton talks to NPR's Melissa Block about [writing for kids, standing up to bullies]( and why her book program means so much to her dad. 🎵 Music: He's a successful author who's seen his books become hit TV shows and plays. Now, Neil Gaiman is ready to enter the music world. He joins Australia's Fourplay String Quartet for his debut album [Signs of Life](. 🎧 He talks to Morning Edition about the experience and [what he wants to try next](. 🎮 Games: [Star Wars Jedi: Survivor]( comes out today. It'll scratch the itch for gamers hankering for its blend of platforming, puzzling, and Dark Souls-like combat. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Brazilian football legend Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, poses with his six Brazil's champion medals.]( Caio Leal/AFP via Getty Images Today is the last day for many of our NPR colleagues affected by the company's [reduction in force](. They did incredible work, and they will be missed. Don't call someone the GOAT. Call them a Pelé. A Brazilian dictionary officially added the soccer legend's nickname as an [adjective to describe someone exceptional](. After spending 235 days alone at sea in a tiny fiberglass boat, South African Kirsten Neuschafer [sailed to victory yesterday]( in a round-the-world race. --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi. Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( [NPR logo]