Latest news with #BillO'Reilly's
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Encounters' at southern border continue to drop: Border Patrol
(NewsNation) — Border agents 'encountered' 8,380 people along the U.S.-Mexico border in April, with an additional 3,650 encountered at various southern border ports, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Encounters refers to the number of people not lawfully in the country that CBP apprehended or those who have turned themselves into a port of entry and are deemed 'inadmissible.' The percentage of unaccompanied children is at 6.9%, up from April of last year when 179,736 people were encountered and 4.7% were unaccompanied minors, according to the CBP. Bill O'Reilly's 100 Days of Trump: Are you better off? In March, the number of migrants caught illegally crossing the southern border fell to the lowest level ever recorded, according to figures released by the U.S. government. The drop follows an array of actions taken by President Donald Trump after returning to the White House on January 20, saying a crackdown was needed after high levels of migration under preceding President Joe Biden. Trump's moves included the placement of military troops, implementing a sweeping ban on asylum at the border and mass deportations from the U.S. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Leland Vittert's War Notes: 98 Days and Counting
NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonight's 9 pm ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here. Set your DVRs: For coverage of President Trump's first 100 days of his second term unlike any other network. Wednesday, April 30, from 8-10 p.m. ET: Chris Cuomo and Bill O'Reilly's town hall – with President Trump himself calling in. Then, a special postgame edition of 'On Balance.' Friday, May 2, at 9 p.m. ET: Are you better off? Bill O'Reilly and I will give you a totally different way to look at Trump's first 100 days – as former President Biden would say, compare me to the alternative, not the Almighty. Common sense: Today, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., introduced the PELOSI Act – get it? It stands for the 'Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments Act,' which spells out 'PELOSI.' It requires members of Congress to put their securities in a blind trust rather than trade stocks and get returns that make Warren Buffett look pedestrian. A+ for effort: In the past, such bills have had poisoned bills attached to keep them from passing – we'll see if this gets the same treatment. Favorite story of the day: 'Prosecutors in Minnesota's Largest County Must Now Consider 'Racial Identity' in Plea Deals,' by Matthew Xiao of The Washington Free Beacon. Yes, the home state of Gov. Tim Walz thinks it's OK to decide prison sentences based on race – wow! Thought bubble: Are they doing this just so Trump gets mad and they get famous? North Lawn posters: The White House put up a hundred posters on the North Lawn of illegal immigrants, who allegedly committed crimes, that the administration has arrested. Over the next week, we will hear a never-ending mashup of report cards on Trump's first 100 days – remember that's an invention of the media and presidential campaigns. No American sits there and thinks about their life in this way. The media will reflect on what they want. Perspective: I can paint you a picture that shows Trump with the worst 100 days of a modern president and the best … and both would be entirely factual. Gleeful: Trump has the lowest approval rating at the 100-day mark of any president in the past 80 years, according to polling by ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos and CNN – much of the media loves this story. Be fair: How much of those results is the American people reflecting back what the media has told them? The previous record-low approval rating at 100 days was also held by President Trump during his first term. Look back: And save COVID, the first Trump administration worked out really well for Americans, especially on the economy. Tomorrow: The Trump administration will hold a victory lap on the economy – huh?!?! Maybe the economy will be good in September when all of the deals have been made with foreign countries, but it's not good now. Read: Bill O'Reilly's latest column, 'Trump vs. the Press.' 'To say the corporate media is delighted by President Trump's falling poll numbers is the understatement of the year so far. The press wants Trump to fail so the media industry can be redeemed. Simple as that,' O'Reilly writes. What I am thinking: I don't get how Trump failing redeems the press, but I do know that a lot of people in the press hate Trump. Trump supporters want it both ways – they want credit for closing the border and deporting folks right now – but want everybody to wait and withhold judgment on his economic policies until they start to 'work.' Watch tonight: Bill O'Reilly on what parts of Trump's first 100 days matter. We must apologize: Something important happened this weekend at the White House Correspondents' dinner – we didn't think it was possible. BUT: Someone told the truth. Watch Axios' Alex Thompson's acceptance speech for the Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House coverage – it's short, only 2 minutes, and worth watching. He said, 'We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows. I say this because acknowledging errors builds trust, and being defensive about them further erodes it. We should have done better.' Look back: Thompson was a regular on the show when he broke story after story about Joe Biden's health – he took a lot of heat for those stories. Back then, he was easy to book because no other network wanted him. Now, he's a CNN contributor with a book out next month with Jake Tapper titled, 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again.' The setting: This past weekend, Washington's elite got together for a weekend of self-congratulations and self-importance – otherwise known as the White House Correspondents' dinner. You can read all about 'Nerd Prom' coverage somewhere else – I wasn't there. Contrast: White House Correspondents Association President Eugene Daniels proclaimed, 'We are not the enemy of the state' while begging for relevancy. Zoom out: If the likes of Alex Thompson filled the White House press corps – tenacious, smart, humble – the White House press corps would be a lot more relevant and would be worth celebrating. At first it seemed like satire: A Vox article that headlines, 'The unspoken rules of MAGA womanhood.' 'At the White House, women stand at his side as he speaks from the podium, sporting what has come to be known as 'Republican ' makeup and 'Mar-a-Lago face.'' YIKES, moreover, YUCK! Can you really lump every Trump-supporting woman together? What is this, the 1950s?! For a Left that hates Donald Trump and attacks his treatment of women, they appear okay with treating many women even worse. Allie Beth Stuckey has been the victim of this for years and joins us tonight with her experiences. Plus: Ana Marie Cox, a progressive, on why women on the Left aren't speaking out – remember when they said to support and believe all women. Tune into 'On Balance with Leland Vittert' weeknights at 9/8 CT on NewsNation. Find your channel here. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Malay Mail
27-04-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
No money? The data says otherwise, Mr. O'Reilly — Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri
APRIL 27 — Bill O'Reilly's latest video rant, in which he claimed that Malaysians have 'no money' and confused the country with Indonesia, wasn't just factually flawed. It was a textbook example of how ignorance, when paired with a large platform, can distort global perceptions. Some may dismiss his outburst as just another viral moment. But as Spider-Man's Uncle Ben would say — with great power comes great responsibility. If you're going to swing into global commentary, the least you can do is stick to the facts. Cost of Living: Where the Ringgit Stretches Further If we go by O'Reilly's logic — that a country's wealth can be judged by how 'affordable' things seem from an American lens — he should have checked the data. According to OECD and World Bank estimates, the average monthly cost of living for a single person in the US is between US$1,100 (RM 4,811) and US$1,200, excluding rent. In Malaysia, that same basket of essentials — groceries, transport, utilities, and meals — costs about US$500 to US$550 (or RM2,300). That's less than half. In other words, a Malaysian earning a modest income can cover daily essentials at a level that would require more than double the budget in the United States. It's not just cheaper — it's a fundamentally different cost structure shaped by local realities, subsidies, and spending habits. Rent? A one-bedroom apartment in the US typically runs around US$1,500 a month. In Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru, you'd pay roughly US$350. A loaf of bread in Malaysia costs around US$1.70, compared to US$3.50 in the US A meal at a mid-range restaurant in Malaysia might cost US$6 or US$7, not US$25. So, can Malaysians afford to eat? Absolutely — and in ways many middle-class Americans might envy. Malaysia isn't some budget version of the West. It's a self-sustaining economy with its own pricing structures, cultural norms, and social protections (including free public healthcare, by the way). Suggesting that the absence of American-style 'take-out' signals deprivation isn't just inaccurate, it's wildly out of touch. Even these cost comparisons don't tell the full story. Economists use Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) to assess how far income stretches in different countries. According to the World Bank, in 2023, Malaysia's GDP per capita, adjusted for PPP, was approximately US$35,360, while the United States' figure stood at about US$85,370. Had O'Reilly taken just a moment to check, he would have seen that Malaysia is globally recognized for its leadership in Islamic economics and finance, halal industry development, and strategic sectors such as energy transition, renewable technologies like solar, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. — Screengrab of YouTube video This means Malaysians enjoy over 40 per cent of the purchasing power of the average American, while benefiting from a significantly lower cost of living. Granted, middle-income Malaysians may still feel the pinch, but many are able to manage their expenses and maintain a decent quality of life. Misrepresentation isn't harmless, it distorts understanding O'Reilly's economic blunders were bad enough. But his confusion between Malaysia and Indonesia was even more telling. These are two sovereign nations with distinct political systems, languages, and economic trajectories. Reducing them to the same place is not a slip — it's a serious failure to respect national identities. To conflate them is more than careless. It reflects a dismissive view that treats non-Western countries as interchangeable. This mindset doesn't just ignore facts, it perpetuates the kind of lazy stereotyping that has long distorted global understanding. Had O'Reilly taken just a moment to check, he would have seen that Malaysia is globally recognized for its leadership in Islamic economics and finance, halal industry development, and strategic sectors such as energy transition, renewable technologies like solar, and advanced semiconductor manufacturing. These are not signs of a country in crisis; they reflect forward-looking national planning. And then there was his remark about the supposed lack of 'Chinese take-out.' That wasn't just wrong, it was culturally tone-deaf. Chinese cuisine is a daily staple in Malaysia, available everywhere from roadside hawker stalls and kopitiams to high-end restaurants and family-run food courts. What O'Reilly failed to grasp is that 'take-out,' as understood in the US — boxed meals from Chinese-American chain restaurants — doesn't define how food is experienced elsewhere. In Malaysia, takeaway culture is vibrant but shaped by local tastes and formats. It's not unusual for people to pick up char kuey teow, roti canai, or wantan mee in plastic bags or containers. The absence of fortune cookies and folded cartons doesn't mean there's no food — it means the food culture is richer, more local, and a lot less packaged. Commentary comes with responsibility, facts aren't optional There's nothing wrong with having strong views. But when those views are based on flawed assumptions and shared with a global audience, they do more than mislead. They influence how countries and people are perceived. Malaysia has its challenges, just like any country. But it is not in crisis. It is investing in high-value sectors, strengthening its workforce, and focusing on long-term sustainability. National strategies like Ekonomi Madani and the 12th Malaysia Plan are not just talk. They drive reforms in energy transition, digitalization, and social inclusion. When commentators like O'Reilly distort that reality, the damage goes beyond offence. It misleads audiences who depend on public voices for understanding. And that matters, because perception affects investment, diplomacy, and trust. So, dear Mr. O'Reilly, if you're going to talk about Malaysia, try facts instead of fiction. Because while you were busy ranting, we were busy building. And no, we're not out of money — just out of patience for lazy commentary. *Dr Mohd Zaidi Md Zabri is an Interim Director at the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-Rise), ISRA Institute, INCEIF University. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Economists dismiss Bill O'Reilly's "no money" jab as ignorant
KUALA LUMPUR: American commentator Bill O'Reilly's claim that Malaysians "have no money" to buy Chinese products has drawn sharp criticism from economists. They dismissed the remark as economically ignorant, disconnected from trade realities and undeserving of serious attention. The former Fox News anchor compared Malaysia's household income per capita to that of the United States (US), suggesting that Malaysians were too poor to afford goods from China. The comment, widely ridiculed online, was further marred by a factual blunder as he appeared to confuse Malaysia with Indonesia when referencing former US President Barack Obama's childhood. Economists contacted by Business Times, however, were less amused than bemused. Describing the assertion as "absurd", Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid pointed out that international trade decisions are made based on careful economic assessments. "Trade deals are commercial deals. Each country does its due diligence before entering negotiations," he said. "Malaysia is a member of the Asean-China Free Trade Area, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and hosts numerous Chinese investments. That alone says a lot about our economic standing." Afzanizam also highlighted Malaysia's sovereign credit ratings — A3 by Moody's, A- by S&P Global Ratings and BBB+ by Fitch Ratings — all comfortably above investment grade. "These are reputable international assessments. Global investors have long done their due diligence on Malaysia. Remarks like his don't deserve serious airtime," he added. Putra Business School economic analyst Associate Prof Dr Ahmed Razman Abdul Latiff said the remark reflected more than just economic illiteracy. "Such a statement not only reflects his ignorance of the current trade situation but also borders on arrogance, coming from the perception that the US will always remain the top economic superpower," he said. "It's also a sign of desperation in realising that the rest of the world has begun consolidating global trade cooperation without the US at the centre, or at least with minimal dependency on it." He added that the World Bank is forecasting stronger economic growth in the Asia Pacific region than in any other part of the world, underlining the rising economic potential of Asean, wider Asia, India and Australia. Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun took a more measured tone, contextualising O'Reilly's claim within the current dynamics of US-China trade friction. "Actually, the fear here is the opposite — that Chinese goods, unable to enter the US due to high tariffs, may be diverted or dumped in this region instead," he said. While acknowledging that Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia and Vietnam do not have the same purchasing power as the US, Dr Oh noted they remain significant emerging markets. "Cambodia, of course, still has a long way to go," he added. Business Consultancy Sdn Bhd director Professor Geoffrey Williams took a more scathing — and witty — view. "Nobody in Malaysia or Asia knows or cares who Bill O'Reilly is. He's become notorious only because he sounds like a comedian on a news satire spoof," Williams said. "His coverage has grown tired as he nears the end of his career. I imagine even people in US media circles are looking forward to his retirement." Williams ended with a tongue-in-cheek invitation: "He can always apply for the Malaysia My Second Home programme and see for himself how beautiful and successful this country really is."
