Is a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas coming soon? It depends who you ask. Since last week, multiple news reports have indicated there has been a breakthrough in negotiations between the two sides. But other reports indicate there are still large gaps to overcome, and the exact nature of the conditions necessary to get to a ceasefire and hostage deal remains murky.If one does emerge, however, one person will try to take credit for it: Donald J. Trump.On Monday, the president-elect held a press conference where he echoed remarks his account posted on Truth Social threatening all hell to pay if hostages held in Gaza were not released by the time he took office.Ill be very available on January 20th, he said. And well see. As you know, I gave a warning that if these hostages arent back home by that date, all hells gonna break out.Since the conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, a comprehensive hostage deal and ceasefire has remained elusive (though a pause in the Israeli offensive in November 2023 allowed for the release of 50 hostages taken on October 7 in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and more aid to Gaza). This week, however, a senior Palestinian negotiator told the BBC that talks are in a decisive and final phase and both Israeli and American officials were reportedly traveling to participate in ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar. Reporting by the Wall Street Journal and NBC suggests that Trumps decision to insert himself into negotiations has helped to push Hamas toward a deal. To understand what effect a looming Trump presidency might be having on the talks and the future of the conflict, Today, Explained sat down with Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Cook spoke with Today, Explained co-host Noel King about the prospects for a ceasefire, Trumps track record on Israel, and how Trump might approach Israel and the ongoing conflict during his second term. Below is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. Theres much more in the full podcast, so listen to Today, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.Noel KingHow did Trump approach Israel in his first term?Steven CookWell, Trump was a very pro-Israel president, which is saying something because most presidents actually are very pro-Israel. He moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, [a change] that had been law since the late 1990s but no president had ever acted on it. He recognized Israels sovereignty over the Golan Heights and turned a blind eye to the worst excesses of the Israeli government when it came to settlements in the West Bank. Noel KingDonald Trump is always being buffeted by two competing narratives. One of them is that things in the Middle East are very hard to get done, to the degree that, often, nothing gets done. And the other is Donald Trump just gets things done. Was it hard for Trump to get done on Israel what he did in his first term?Steven CookWell, no, because he basically did it by presidential fiat. First, as I said, the move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was something that was a law that Congress passed, I believe, in 1998. So it just was a matter of the president saying, Im going to move the embassy to Jerusalem. Previous presidents had said, for national security reasons, we dont want to prejudice the outcome of final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Therefore, were going to keep things as they are, even though we have the right to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump said, No, Im going to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He didnt get anything from the Israelis for it, which was likely a diplomatic mistake, but it was really something that he was doing to placate his evangelical base, which [wants] very, very strong US support for Israel and maximalist Israeli policies. Noel KingThe world has arguably gotten more complex since Donald Trumps last term. Russia, Ukraine, October 7th, every nation that was pulled in after October 7th. Do you think Trump and his foreign policy team recognize things may be more complicated this time around?Steven CookYoud like to think that they do, that theyre in touch with reality. Some of the statements that Trump has made about the region would suggest that he thinks hes just going to pick up where he left off when he reluctantly left office in January 2021. Hes been talking about expanding the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. That has been greatly complicated as a result of the war in the Gaza Strip. The Saudi price for normalization has gone up steeply since the war began. And now the Saudis are demanding an actual two-state solution, something that the Israelis are not prepared to even entertain at this moment.The president also seems to think that he can just say there needs to be a hostage deal and there will be a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Gaza Strip. I think he, at least in his statements, doesnt recognize how dramatically different the region is from when he left office.Noel KingDo any of his appointments reflect the major changes the region has undergone?Steven CookThe national security adviser-designate, Congressman Mike Walz, is someone who is a very pro-Israel personality. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), whos been designated to be the secretary of state, also has very strong pro-Israel credentials. And of course, his [designate for] UN permanent representative is Elise Stefanik, the congresswoman from New York, who made a name for herself for being pugnaciously pro-Israel, as well as taking on elite college presidents in those famous hearings after the October 7 attacks. And then there is Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, whos been named US ambassador to Israel, who is a very, very pro-Israel figure. He doesnt recognize the Palestinian people as a nation. And he doesnt regard Israels settlement in the West Bank as illegal. This is an administration that is very pro-Israel. But of course, these people may end up just being implementers, bit players in what President Trump decides to do. And based on his first term, what he decides to do is what his gut tells him. He sees himself as a great negotiator, and I think at least on the two-state solution and on Irans nuclear program, that self-perception as a great negotiator and dealmaker may cause tension with an Israeli government that has other views on these two issues.Noel KingWhat do we know of the truth about what Trump and Netanyahu think of each other?Steven CookWell, I read Jared Kushners memoir of his time in the White House so that no one else had to. It was truly a dreadful read. But one of the things I learned was that with Netanyahu and Trump, there was a very significant trust deficit between the two leaders. Trump was always concerned that Netanyahu was going to double-cross him and in those series of elections that the Israelis had while Trump was in office, Trump was actually rooting for Benny Gantz, who was the former IDF chief of staff who leads in an opposition party. Netanyahu was always worried that Trump would run afoul of Israels interests, like sit down and negotiate with the Iranians over a new nuclear deal. Add to that the fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu relatively quickly called President Joe Biden when his election was confirmed in November 2020, [which] angered President Trump. So ever since Trumps reelection, Netanyahu has made a real effort to call Trump, placate Trump, what have you. But I still think that that trust deficit remains because Trump has a different view of things like the two-state solution and the Iran nuclear program than the Israelis do.Noel KingIt is Tuesday afternoon as we speak and were hearing a ceasefire may be near. When do you think well get a ceasefire? Steven CookIve been listening to columnists and others telling me that a ceasefire is imminent since at least February 2024. And what I know is that Hamas, and the person of [former Hamas leader] Yahya Sinwar, who the Israelis killed a number of months ago, was not interested in a ceasefire, believing that Hamas was winning the conflict because theres a total war, and even though the Israelis were doing a lot of damage to Hamass cadres in the Gaza Strip, Israels international legitimacy was suffering greatly as a result of the conflict. And for Yahya Sinwar and others within Hamas, this was one of the goals, to undermine Israels legitimacy in the international order. And then, of course, on the Israeli side, the settlers did not want a ceasefire. They want the quote-unquote total destruction of Hamas to clear the way for the Israelis to resettle the Gaza Strip. So there was no real incentive for a ceasefire. Things have changed significantly since then, however. The Israelis have done a tremendous amount of damage to Hezbollah, Irans primary proxy in Lebanon, to the point that Hezbollah has been forced to cut a deal with Israel and theres now a ceasefire in Lebanon. That leaves Hamas standing alone, which means Hamas now needs to make a decision: Will it save the remnants of itself by cutting a deal with the Israelis, or will it fight on believing that the continued fight will damage Israel internationally and that theyre going to play the long game? Some of the indications coming from Israeli ministers and others, the Egyptians and others, are that Hamas has dropped a major sticking point, which is that they demanded that all Israeli forces leave the Gaza Strip. So that may pave the way towards a ceasefire and a hostage exchange. Noel KingThere are a million reasons to want a ceasefire here, not least of which is the humanitarian catastrophe, which has unfolded for more than a year. But in the blunt calculus of politics, if we do get a ceasefire before Donald Trump is inaugurated, who gets the win? Trump? Biden? Will they fight over it?Steven CookCertainly Trump will claim it. The Biden team will also claim it. Theyve been working at this since the very beginning. I would say that the credit goes to the IDF the IDF smashed Hezbollah, something that no Western analysts believe that they could do without utter destruction of Israeli population centers. And so once Hezbollah sued for a ceasefire, Hamas really was alone and without any recourse whatsoever. Of course Donald Trump will claim it. Thats why hes been posting on Truth Social and said in his first press conference that there would be hell to pay if the hostages werent returned by the time hes inaugurated. Hes essentially setting it up so he takes the credit for it.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Its winter, which means its humidifier season. If you struggle with dry skin, allergies, or youre currently dealing with a cold, you might be leaving yours on all the time or youre scrolling through yet another humidifier review roundup to choose a model to purchase. Should you buy an ultrasonic or evaporative? Warm mist or cool? Should it be a top-fill design? Are all the parts dishwasher safe? How big of a tank should you look for?In a marketplace full of new-fangled, hyperspecific home gadgets, the humidifier is a classic appliance with modern(ish) incarnations available since the 1960s. Over 20 million were sold in the US in 2019, according to Statista, but theyve only grown more popular and sleeker in the last few years, as people have become more concerned with the quality of the air in their homes. According to Amazon, over 100,000 units of this popular humidifier were purchased in the past month.But while most of the sleek gizmos we love to buy during Black Friday sales exist to, in theory, optimize our lives, the humidifier adds a bunch of hassle taking care of it becomes another irritating chore in the never-ending wrangling of your household, requiring a thorough scouring every few days to ensure no mold or bacteria is growing. Theres no shortage of humidifier models on the market, but you might be hard-pressed to find one you genuinely love rather than merely tolerate. Those looking for buying advice online often qualify their query: How do I not only wade through the options to find a humidifier that works well for my space, but also one that isnt a complete pain to clean?The short answer is that there isnt a magical way to avoid humidifier maintenance. A humidifier is supposed to be full of liquid, and where theres moisture, mold and bacteria will grow.RelatedThe homebody economy, explainedWhats more, there are real dangers to misusing a humidifier. More research is needed on the long-term health impacts of using them, which is a little disturbing considering how commonplace it is as a household object. The worst mishap that might occur with a robot vacuum is that it runs over an unpleasant surprise your dog left on the floor. With humidifiers, you could be breathing in particulate matter that causes more serious health issues than the device purports to solve. Yet for how risky and frustrating they are, consumers remain obsessed with looking for, testing out, and debating what the least worst humidifiers on the market. Why we love to hate humidifiersThe humidifier, in its basic form, is extremely simple you can increase humidity simply by setting out a bowl of water near a radiator. (Whether this will make a meaningful difference is another matter.) Dry air can worsen any congestion youre dealing with, sap moisture from your skin, exacerbate your asthma, and even hurt your house plants. Humidity falls in the winter because the colder the air, the less water vapor it can hold. But its not just the frigid conditions outside that contribute to unbearably dry air in the winter. Its the heat that youre using in your domicile that ends up often reducing the humidity, says Allen St. John, senior tech editor at Consumer Reports, noting that he sometimes turns down the heat to bump up the humidity rather than using a separate machine to do so. (If you dont control your own heat, this may not be an option.)Older humidifiers often looked like terrifying contraptions and were used mostly in hospital settings to help people with respiratory conditions. In the latter half of the 20th century, they started being advertised as consumer-grade products to use at home. Today there are three types available: the ultrasonic, which uses vibrations to turn water into mist; evaporative, which uses a fan to help evaporate water into the air; and the warm mist humidifier, which boils water to produce steam. Most of the stuff thats on the market tends to be ultrasonic at this point, St. John says. Theyre generally easier to use, and typically quieter.But all kinds of humidifiers come with trade-offs. Ultrasonics appear to emit a lot more particulate matter than evaporatives do (more on that later); evaporatives can not only be louder, but might also require you to buy and replace a filter or wick. With warm mist models, you run the risk of scalding yourself (or a pet or child in the house) if you knock over the humidifier. None are particularly easy to maintain: The Environmental Protection Agency advises cleaning a humidifier every three days, which requires taking it apart and getting into every little crevice to remove grime, and emptying the tank daily to reduce the growth of microorganisms.You dont want to leave a humidifier around thats just kind of wet, St. John says. The area around the machine should be wiped down if theres moisture around it. Its also important, though, to be careful about what cleaning agents you use and how well you rinse the humidifier before turning it on again you dont want to inhale any harmful chemicals. In South Korea, humidifier disinfectants that were widely available until 2011 have been linked to the deaths of over 1,800 people.Given how frustrating they can be to own, people often have impassioned opinions on humidifiers, according to Thom Dunn, who writes Wirecutters humidifier guide. Its a perennial thing Im always hearing reader feedback about it, he tells Vox. A few years ago, there was a considerable amount of reader complaints and discourse around the fact that Wirecutter had named the Honeywell HCM-350 humidifier, currently $67.99 on Amazon at time of publication, their top pick for several years. The humidifier guide is easily one of the most volatile reader comment sections, Dunn says. The team eventually removed the HCM-350 from their recommendations. The top pick now is the $109.99 Levoit LV600S. Unsurprisingly, several recent comments disagree with the choice. One of the latest comment reads: I think its crazy the Honeywell HCM 350 is no longer the top pick. (McSweeneys even lampooned how even the most recommended humidifier will inevitably disappoint.)This constant debate about the least-annoying humidifier may also be fueled by the fact that its a product some replace every few years. Many models are relatively inexpensive, and its easy to get to the point of, I didnt really clean it, now this thing looks like a science experiment, St. John says.In the introvert economy, humidifiers are becoming more popular (and slightly less ugly)Theres another obvious reason humidifiers cause so much consumer disdain: Many of them are big, clunky, and frankly, ugly. The good news is that the age of marginally more attractive design may be upon us. Weve already seen the premiumization of kitchen gadgets, from toaster ovens to espresso machines, and a few years back, window air conditioners started getting the minimalist edit too. Now, more brands are giving the humidifier the millennial-sleek update thanks to a broader air care wellness trend which includes not just humidifiers, but candles, diffusers, air purifiers thats turning anything that treats your indoor air into a premium product that should also blend into your home decor.It does go along with a certain influencer wellness aesthetic. Thom Dunn, Wirecutter writerSome consumers are shelling out a lot of money for these prettier, more expensive models that can cost upward of $150 while not holding as much water or humidifying as well as experts recommended picks. It does go along with a certain influencer wellness aesthetic, Dunn says.Consumers with discretionary income are investing more money into creature comforts for the home in general. One of the things weve seen that sort of started with the pandemic and that I dont think has completely disappeared is something we refer to as the introvert economy, says Amy Eisinger, head of content at the wellness digital publication Well+Good. People are investing in really making their space feel like a sanctuary. Some are even installing infrared saunas in their homes, Eisinger notes. Even if youre not quite bed rotting, chances are youre spending more time at home these days than, say, a decade ago and what we spend money on may be shifting alongside that fact. Theres a whole TikTok genre advertisements featuring a woman coming home from work and embarking on a convoluted ritual using niche smart home gadgets: She sanitizes her clothes with a UV light wand in the foyer, runs her earrings through a jewelry cleaner, washes vegetables for dinner with some kind of ultrasonic device, gives herself a foot bath while watching a show on her phone, and pours herself a glass of something stiff from a rotating decanter. Everything is clean and nothing hurts. Presumably, in such a world of ultra-modern optimization, your indoor air is always the perfect humidity, too.The potential danger of humidifiers may not outweigh its benefitsThe real issue with humidifiers isnt just the annoyance of taking care of them, though, its that they can be a serious health hazard.What most people dont know about ultrasonic humidifiers is that they will create a lot of small particulate matter, says Jonathan Jarry, a science communicator at McGill Universitys Office for Science and Society. They aerosolize minerals that are present in the water, which means the purity of the water youre using in a humidifier can drastically impact your homes air quality.A few years ago, University of Alberta scientists published research showing that ultrasonic humidifiers using both filtered and unfiltered tap water released high concentrations of particulate matter seen during extreme air pollution events in major metropolises. A 2023 paper published in the journal Science of the Total Environment found that safe-to-drink tap water used in ultrasonic humidifiers could spew out dangerous levels of metals that are more harmful inhaled than when ingested, such as manganese. In short, using anything but distilled water in your humidifier means you could be inhaling a lot of stuff you probably dont want in your lungs. (Evaporative humidifiers can also emit particulate matter, but to a lesser extent.)The EPA recommends using only distilled water in humidifiers, but acquiring large enough quantities of it cheaply is easier said than done. To be clear, boiling water is not the same as distilling it, and bottled drinking water isnt usually distilled either. Distillation requires boiling water into a vapor and leaving behind any impurities, and then taking that vapor and recondensing it back into a liquid, Jarry says.How much distilled water youll need depends on how dry the air currently is and the size of the room youre humidifying: A small space under 400 square feet might need a machine with a 1.5 gallon tank, according to CNET, while a bigger space over 1,000 square feet could require a 3-gallon one. Two five-gallon barrels of distilled water sell for $42.99 on Amazon at time of publication; a much cheaper option might be to buy a water distiller for your home, or signing up for a distilled water delivery service, but that still adds another step and expense to using your humidifier.Its unclear how much public awareness there is about the harm of particulates released by humidifiers. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, many Americans have misperceptions about the purity of tap water. A third of respondents to a survey thought that tap water was sterile, and a quarter said they used it for humidifiers. (An unscientific Reddit poll on r/NewParents a few years ago shows the majority of 228 respondents saying they used tap water in humidifiers as well.)The big question mark around the safety of these popular products adds yet another hurdle for consumers half-heartedly trawling the market for a humidifier that wont make them miserable. The perfect all-in-one portable humidifier that distills water for you, cleans itself, and sings a lullaby for you at night does not yet exist. (The Dyson air purifier and humidifier combo does, but its regular price is $999.) If youre not prepared for the commitment of bringing a humidifier into your home, the healthiest option for both your lungs and your sanity might just be to opt out.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Its likely that no social issue has cost Democrats more votes in recent years than immigration. The Biden-Harris administration presided over Americas largest surge of new arrivals since 1850 according to data from the Census Bureau and Congressional Budget Office. A Goldman Sachs analysis obtained by the New York Times suggests that unauthorized immigrants account for a majority of that spike. The American electorate did not welcome these huddled masses with open arms. Between 2021 and 2024, the share of Americans who wanted a reduction in immigration surged from 31 percent to 55 percent, according to Gallup. This restrictionist mood redounded to Donald Trumps benefit. Among swing voters, the most commonly cited reason for backing Trump in 2024 was that he would secure the border and fight illegal immigration, according to Navigator, a Democratic polling firm. Another Democratic pollster, Blueprint, found that swing voters second-most important reason for opposing Kamala Harris was that too many immigrants illegally crossed the border under the Biden-Harris administration (the most important reason concerned inflation). And Democrats perceived softness on illegal immigration was also integral to Trumps first election in 2016, when white Obama voters with right-of-center views on that issue defected from the Democratic coalition in large numbers.In the face of this data, there is a growing consensus among Democrats that the party veered too far left on immigration policy from 2016 through 2023 (after which, the party mounted an abrupt effort to regain credibility on border enforcement before the 2024 election). Some liberals have gone so far as to question the desirability of high immigration levels on the merits, suggesting that mass migration exacerbates inequality and saps the prosperity of Americas working class. In this analysis, Democrats shouldnt merely crack down on unauthorized inflows or border chaos, but also admissions of lower-skill legal immigrants and not merely for politics sake, but for the countrys.This is wrong. In truth, of all the progressive movements causes, its plausible that increasing legal immigration is the most vital. Few things do more to increase humanitys aggregate prosperity than allowing people to migrate from less wealthy nations to the United States. And the immense benefits that immigrants derive from moving to the US do not come at the expense of native-born Americans. To the contrary, in the long term, immigration makes Americans more prosperous, while rendering the countrys retirement programs more secure. Precisely because immigration is so beneficial, however, its imperative for Democrats to forge a politically tenable approach to the issue. The party should neither embrace full-bore restrictionism nor project complacency about chaos at the border.Instead, Democrats must make American politics safe for mass immigration. Maintaining the partys recent pivot toward more aggressive border enforcement and less lenient asylum policies is likely necessary for achieving that goal. Immigration is extremely goodFew ideas are more central to progressivism than the notion that accidents of fate should not determine a persons life chances. Every social insurance program and civil rights bill aims to mitigate unearned disadvantage: the high health care costs of the chronically ill, the lost wages of those injured on the job, the discrimination suffered by marginalized social groups, and the economic precarity of all who werent born into wealth. One measure of a progressive policys value is, therefore, the degree to which it erodes inequities rooted in sheer luck. A separate measure is whether, in mitigating the misfortune of discrete groups, the policy also improves the well-being of the public as a whole. For example, increasing unemployment benefits amid a recession not only reduces the deprivation of the jobless but also promotes economic recovery by generating consumer demand.By these metrics, increasing immigration to the United States is plausibly the most valuable policy on the progressive agenda. After all, inequality is far greater at the global scale than the national one. The median worker in Haiti is far less prosperous than a low-income worker in the United States. Simply allowing the former to come to America will increase their material well-being by more than any politically plausible policy could increase the prosperity of a low-income American: In Haiti, the typical worker earns less than $1,800 a year. Let that laborer come to New York City, work full-time at the 2025 minimum wage, and they will earn more than $34,000, while also enjoying the benefits of far greater public safety and political stability than their home country presently affords.Haiti is an especially economically and politically troubled nation at the moment. But the vast majority of humanity lives in countries that are much poorer than the United States. Allowing most people from most foreign nations to become US citizens will make them dramatically more prosperous.And the immense benefits of immigration for the immigrant do not come at a commensurate cost to native-born Americans. If a Haitian worker comes to the US and sees their annual income increase by upward of $30,000 this does not cause any American to earn $30,000 less. No transfer of income has occurred. Although some mistakenly believe that immigration marginally reduces employment for native-born workers (more on this in a minute), no serious analyst argues that this trade-off is one-to-one, such that every newly hired immigrant means one newly unemployed native-born American.In reality, the Haitian immigrants income gain derives from the fact that their labor is more productive in the United States than it was back home, thanks to the nations technologically advanced and relatively efficient economic institutions. The Haitian immigrants arrival in the US therefore not only increases their prosperity but also the sum total of humanitys, as an hour of their labor now produces more economic value.Few deny that immigration is beneficial to both the vast majority of immigrants and economic growth. Some liberals, though, such as New York Times columnist David Leonhardt and author John Judis, insist that these facts dont settle the question of whether high levels of legal immigration are desirable. In their view, the American nation-state is primarily accountable to the interests of its citizenry, not to those of humanity writ large. And although low-skill immigration increases American economic growth, they insist that it also erodes the wages and bargaining power of the native-born working class.Leonhardt and Judis are undoubtedly right that, in practice, the US government cannot prioritize the interests of poor people abroad over American citizens and retain democratic legitimacy. But their account of the economics of immigration is simply wrong. To be sure, the notion that immigration aids employers at workers expense is intuitive. After all, American workers benefit from tight labor markets, in which businesses must bid against each other for a scarce pool of potential employees. Large inflows of foreign workers would seem to tilt the balance of power back toward business owners, especially if those immigrants hail from poor nations and, thus, have relatively low wage expectations. But there is a problem with this reasoning: The tightness of labor markets is not determined solely by the supply of workers. Demand for labor also matters. Immigrants expand the size of the labor force. But they are not automata who shut off the minute they clock out of their shifts; they are human beings who want and need to purchase goods and services. As a result, they both fill jobs and create them. Whats more, immigrants also make native-born workers more productive by complementing their skills and filling gaps in local labor markets.For these reasons, subtracting immigrants from an areas labor force does not reliably increase the bargaining power or prosperity of the remaining, native-born workers. Between 2008 and 2014, the US deported roughly 500,000 undocumented immigrants through the Secure Communities program. The policy reached different parts of the country at different times, and this provided economists with a natural experiment: By comparing counties subject to Secure Communities at a given time with counties that were as yet unaffected, they could gauge the labor market impacts of mass deportation. They found that when the government expelled undocumented immigrants from a country, native-born workers there tended to see lower wages and employment, likely due to falling consumer demand and job creation. This finding is not anomalous. Myriad other studies and meta-analyses have similarly found that immigrants do not generally reduce wages or job opportunities for native-born workers. They do, however, make Medicare and Social Security benefits easier to finance. Expanding legal immigration is therefore the progressive reform par excellence: It radically mitigates the disadvantages suffered by those born into poor or unstable countries, while making Americans more prosperous. Democrats must inevitably forswear some worthwhile policies, for the sake of political expediency. The party needs to pick its battles, and the fight for more legal immigration should be one of them. Why Democrats must stand for order at the borderWhile the substantive case for expanding legal immigration is strong, the political outlook for that project is less than bright at present, as the Gallup data cited above makes clear. Changing this reality will require Democrats to both win back power and cultivate a more permissive public mood toward immigration. Achieving either of those goals will likely require a commitment to combating irregular flows of unauthorized migrants across the southern border.This is not a novel proposition, of course. Conventional wisdom long held that progress on expanding legal admissions or securing legal status for longtime, undocumented residents of the US was contingent on establishing order at the border. This was the foundational premise of the push for comprehensive immigration reform under George W. Bush and Barack Obama. In those years, immigration advocates rallied behind bipartisan bills that would have increased opportunities for legal admissions, provided legal status to millions of undocumented Americans, and ramped up border enforcement. This approach nearly delivered landmark change, with versions of comprehensive reform clearing the Senate but not the House in 2006 and 2013.Nevertheless, the effort failed. As the GOP took a hard right turn on immigration and prospects for bipartisan reform dimmed, progressive activists embraced more uncompromising stances on the issue. Through protest and lobbying the latter abetted by dubious opinion polling these advocates succeeded in pushing Democrats to the left on virtually all aspects of immigration policy. In 2016, Hillary Clinton pledged not to deport anyone but violent criminals and terrorists, while centering her campaign on a celebration of immigration and diversity. In 2019, at a Democratic primary debate, eight of the 10 presidential hopefuls onstage, including future nominee Kamala Harris, said they would favor decriminalizing illegal border crossings, a stance that put them at odds with two-thirds of US voters, according to a Marist poll taken at the time. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, he rolled back some of Trumps border enforcement policies, paused deportations, and expanded eligibility for asylum.In my view, these stances and the tolerant attitude toward disorderly migration they reflect are morally sound. Precisely because most workers in Latin America can greatly improve their living standards by coming to the United States, deterring them from crossing the nearly 2,000-mile southern US border requires acts of callousness and cruelty. Many have celebrated the Biden administrations remarkable success at reducing migrant inflows since June 2024, when his administration took a series of actions to limit eligibility for asylum and abet rapid deportations. But much of this success is attributable to a draconian change in Mexican policy. In recent months, at Americas encouragement, Mexico has taken to keeping migrants on a nightmarish carousel: Police forces intercept migrants in the north of the country and then bus them to middle-of-nowhere towns in Mexicos south. This enables the government to escape the financial and legal burdens of deporting migrants back to their home countries, while still preventing them from reaching the US southern border. Yet the policy also entails serially depositing desperate and often undernourished people in southern Mexican towns that have few resources with which to care for them. It isnt hard to see why someone would look at the suffering of these migrants and then at the economic benefits of immigration and conclude that there are worse things than disorder at the border.If this is a reasonable moral calculus, however, it is not a politically tenable one. The Biden-era surge in unauthorized border crossing erased two decades of leftward drift in the American publics attitudes toward immigration in Gallups data, while helping to propel an authoritarian nativist back into the White House. Some on the left argue that Democrats could have prevented this backlash through a more vigorous and forthright defense of immigration. In their view, by ceding any ground to restrictionist sentiment, Democrats validate the rights basic narrative about the danger posed by undocumented immigrants, thereby tilting the entire terrain of American politics rightward.The ideological convenience of this analysis renders it suspect on its face, and it does not hold up under scrutiny. At the national level, Democrats messaging on immigration may not be uniformly progressive. But in recent years, Democratic officials in blue cities have zealously defended vanguardist positions on immigration policy. In 2021, New York City provided payments of up to $15,600 to undocumented residents impacted by the pandemic. Meanwhile, throughout Trumps presidency, New York loudly refused to hand over undocumented immigrants arrested on suspicion of a criminal offense to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Democrats in other blue states have similarly fought in word and deed for a vision of immigration policy that gives priority to humanitarian concerns. This did not stop voters in blue states from turning against immigration amid the Biden-era surge in asylum seekers. One 2023 poll found 58 percent of voters in the Empire State agreeing with the statement, New Yorkers have already done enough for new migrants and should now work to slow the flow of migrants to New York. By a 46 to 32 percent margin, meanwhile, respondents said that migrants had been a burden not a benefit to New York in recent decades. Polls have shown similar spikes in restrictionist sentiment in Illinois and California. And all three states swung hard against the Democratic Party in 2024. These backlashes could be mitigated through better economic policy. Resentment against migrants in New York City derives in part from the strain their arrival has put on social services and shelter space, in a city that was already struggling to care for its homeless. If the federal government provided more financial assistance to municipalities tasked with resettling large numbers of asylum seekers, such migrants would impose less of a fiscal burden. If New York had not engineered a housing shortage through restrictive zoning policy, it would be easier and cheaper for the city to house new arrivals. In general, combating all forms of artificial scarcity in housing, energy, medicine, and beyond is indispensable to creating a favorable environment for mass immigration.But so is preventing large surges of unauthorized immigration. This entails maintaining support for the various measures that Democrats already embraced over the past year: expediting the asylum process, increasing the legal standard for advancing a claim for protection, and increasing funding for border management agencies, among other things. Critically, the policies that enabled Biden to reduce unauthorized immigration in recent months werent uniformly restrictionist. The president did not merely deter migration, he also diverted it toward legal channels. Using his so-called parole authority, Biden expanded opportunities for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the US on humanitarian visas. This led to a 99 percent decline in illegal border crossings by people from those nations. And although such legal immigration can also inspire backlash, it is significantly less fiscally burdensome and socially disruptive than irregular surges of asylum seekers, as immigrants who come to the US through the parole system generally have a legal right to work (which renders them less dependent on state aid) and American sponsors (who help integrate them into established communities). Getting tough on border enforcement makes progress possible, not certainBidens success in curbing unauthorized immigration during the final months of the 2024 campaign did not save Kamala Harriss candidacy. It does not follow, however, that Democrats could not have mitigated the public backlash against immigration and their party had the Biden administration done more to avert the surge in unauthorized migration before its terms 11th hour. There is no surefire way of overcoming the political obstacles to dramatically expanding legal immigration or securing legal status for longtime, undocumented Americans. Trump has turned the bulk of the GOP against these goals while nullifying the partys political incentives for pursuing them: Republicans now know that they can win a record share of the Hispanic vote without moderating on immigration.Projecting a commitment to border security and delivering a modicum of it once in office are not sufficient conditions for Democrats to progressively reform the American immigration system. But the Biden era indicates that they are necessary ones.Progressives are right to abhor the suffering of migrants who make long and perilous journeys in pursuit of material and physical security and whose presence in the US would, in the long run, make the nation more prosperous. But ignoring public opinion and acquiescing to chaotic surges in unauthorized migration is not a viable strategy for aiding immigrants. Rather, it is a recipe for nativist rule. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Oblivion is in need of some TLC (Bethesda)Before The Elder Scrolls 6, insiders claim the long-rumoured Oblivion remake is on track to launch next year.You may have forgotten about it amid anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6, but a new version of the fourth instalment in the series, Oblivion, has been rumoured for some time.These rumours partly stem from a Microsoft leak last year, where a remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion was listed alongside a remaster of Fallout 3, another Doom game (now revealed as Doom: The Dark Ages), and Dishonored 3.Nothing has been heard about the project since, but now several insiders have claimed a revamped Oblivion will come out at some point in 2025 with a possible reveal in January.These new claims come from insider eXtas1s, who is mostly known for Xbox Game Pass leaks. In a video on his YouTube channel, he claims the Oblivion *remake* is real and could launch in 2025, speculating that an announcement could be made at an Xbox Developer Direct in January.A few days prior to this video, fellow insider NateTheDrake claimed a new version of Oblivion is definitely still in development on ResetEra and will see release, although they dont specify when. Another insider, Klobrille, then stated it is set for release in 2025.Others have seemingly backed a 2025 launch. The Verges Tom Warren, shortly after the rumour emerged, reemphasised that Xbox has more to come next year beyond Avowed, South Of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, Towerborne, Fable, and The Outer Worlds 2. While he doesnt mention Oblivion specifically, some fans have connected the dots.Assuming it is real, the big question is whether it will be a remaster or remake. The two terms are often used interchangeably, even by those within the industry, despite one implying little more than changes to the resolution and frame rate and the other a reconstruction of the game built entirely from scratch.Back in July 2023, an Oblivion remaster was said to be in the works at Virtuos Paris, which was being made in Unreal Engine 5. That immediately doesnt make any sense, because if its being made in Unreal Engine 5 that alone implies a full remake and not a remaster. At the time, it was claimed it will launch at the end of 2024 or early 2025.This would line up with these new rumours, and considering Xbox has staged a Developer Direct presentation for the past two years in January, its reasonable to assume another will take place next year especially considering how little Microsoft showed at The Game Awards.Microsoft shadow-dropped Hi-Fi Rush at its first Xbox Developer Direct, so its possible Oblivion could be a surprise launch too. The presentation this year was a bit less exciting, but it did show off Indiana Jones, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, Senuas Saga: Hellblade 2, and Square Enixs Visions Of Mana.More TrendingWhile its important to remember this is all rumours and old leaks at this point, a remaster/remake of Oblivion would make sense as a stop-gap until The Elder Scrolls 6, which might not be out until 2028. Oblivion isnt exactly a stunner these days (Bethesda)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

House Laranjeiras / mf+arquitectsSave this picture! Fernando Guerra | FG+SGHousesParaty, BrazilArchitects: mf+arquitetosAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:958 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 ManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Acervo Pessoal, Bambui, Deca, Jmar, LuminiMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Located in Paraty, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Casa Laranjeiras is a weekend residence designed for a family seeking closeness to nature. Surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, the house stands out for its integration with the environment, offering an immersive experience in the tropical landscape.Save this picture!Save this picture!The architectural design follows a minimalist approach, featuring simple, geometric volumes. The structure is organized into two distinct blocks: one for the bedrooms and another for the social and service areas. Large openings connect the internal spaces to the exterior, promoting a fusion between indoors and outdoors, allowing for cross ventilation and abundant natural light.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The transition between the blocks is made through an organically shaped walkway clad in biriba wood, a material that enhances the natural aesthetic and integration with the surroundings. This pathway, in addition to being functional, provides a visual and sensory connection with nature, expanding the feeling of continuity with the surrounding landscape.Save this picture!Save this picture!The materials were selected to reinforce the integration with the site. The dry pink concrete, natural wood, and stones harmoniously interact with the greenery of the forest. The color palette and textures contribute to the house's subtle camouflage within the natural setting, emphasizing an architecture that respects and values the environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Casa Laranjeiras is more than a shelter. It is a space where time slows down, where simplicity becomes poetry, and where the built and natural elements intertwine in a silent embrace. Here, architecture dissolves into the landscape, as if it has always been there, waiting to welcome those who seek, above all, the peace of nature.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officemf+arquitetosOfficePublished on December 20, 2024Cite: "House Laranjeiras / mf+arquitects" [Casa Laranjeiras / mf+arquitetos] 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024639/house-laranjeiras-mf-plus-arquitects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Buildner and Kingspan Announce the Eighth Edition of the MICROHOME Competition with a 100,000 EUR Prize FundSponsored ContentSave this picture!Courtesy of BuildnerThe MICROHOME 2025 Competition by Buildner is back, offering a record-breaking 100,000 EUR prize fund to celebrate cutting-edge, sustainable solutions for compact housing. Sponsored by Kingspan, this global competition invites architects, designers, and creative thinkers to redefine the concept of microhomes.Register before the deadline on 13 February 2025.Participants are tasked with designing a modular, self-sufficient, and energy-efficient microhome with a maximum footprint of 25 m. The designs should push boundaries in innovation, functionality, and sustainability while addressing real-world challenges such as urban density, affordability, and environmental responsibility.The competition is open to all, including professionals and students, offering a unique platform for both seasoned architects and emerging talent.Key Objectives: Innovation and Functionality: Create an efficient, livable space that combines usability, aesthetics, and technological advancements. Sustainability: Integrate environmentally responsible materials, energy-efficient systems, and strategies for minimal environmental impact. Affordability: Propose designs that make microhomes accessible to diverse populations. Adaptability: Explore designs that can adapt to various urban, rural, or off-grid settings. Prize Fund and RecognitionThe 100,000 EUR prize structure is as follows: 1st Prize: 40,000 EUR 2nd Prize: 20,000 EUR 3rd Prize: 10,000 EUR Buildner Student Award: 10,000 EUR Sustainability Award: 10,000 EUR Kingspan Award: 10,000 EUR: To be eligible for this award, participants must use at least one of the Kingspan products listed in the competition brief. Save this picture!Competition Schedule Final RegistrationDeadline: February 13, 2025 (23:59 GMT) Submission Deadline: March 18, 2025 (23:59 GMT) Winners Announced: April 29, 2025 Jury PanelThe MICROHOME 2024/25 jury comprises a diverse group of globally renowned architects, designers, and sustainability experts.Anne Cecilie Haug Senior Architect and Member of Research and Innovation, SnhettaAnne Cecilie Haug is a senior architect and member of the research and innovation team at Snhetta's Oslo office. Known for her work on theFlora Lee Associate Partner, MAD ArchitectsFlora Lee has helped shape major international projects for MAD Architects, including the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles and UNIC Residential in Paris. Her work reflects MAD's focus on futuristic, organic forms that resonate with nature and human connection.Sandra Del Bove Group Head of Innovation, KingspanSandra leads Kingspan's IKON Innovation Centre, focusing on long-term innovation in energy efficiency, decarbonization, and circularity. Her approach combines technical expertise with market insights to drive cutting-edge advancements in sustainable building solutions.Brent Trenga Director of Sustainability, Kingspan Insulated Panels North AmericaWith a background in architecture, construction management, and sustainability, Brent Trenga brings a comprehensive perspective on the construction industry's evolving needs. He is passionate about advancing eco-friendly design and building practices.Silvana Ordinas Co-Founder, Peter Pichler ArchitectureSilvana co-founded Peter Pichler Architecture in Milan, known for projects like the Future Space Pavilion at the 2018 Salone del Mobile. Her work reflects a strong focus on sustainability, marketing innovation, and connecting architecture with user experience.Paulo Flores Director, Zaha Hadid ArchitectsPaulo Flores is a director at Zaha Hadid Architects with a focus on parametric design and innovation. His extensive international experience includes projects in Latin America, Europe, and Asia, showcasing cutting-edge architectural technologies.Save this picture!The Kingspan MICROHOME 2025 Competition is your opportunity to redefine compact living, gain global recognition, and contribute to the future of sustainable housing. Push boundaries, inspire change, and shape the future of housing with your innovative vision.Visit Buildner's website for details and registration.Cite: "Buildner and Kingspan Announce the Eighth Edition of the MICROHOME Competition with a 100,000 EUR Prize Fund" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1024782/buildner-and-kingspan-announce-the-eighth-edition-of-the-microhome-competition-with-a-100000-eur-prize-fund&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

A European Citizens Initiative Calls for a Right to Reuse Existing BuildingsSave this picture!Lacaton & Vassals Transformation of 530 Dwellings. Image Laurian GhinitoiuHouseEurope! is the European Citizens' Initiative calling for EU legislation to make renovation and reuse of existing structures more easy, affordable and social. The initiative aims to curb demolition driven by speculation and foster a construction industry that prioritizes the potential of existing public and private buildings. As a tool of direct democracy, European Citizens' Initiatives allow citizens to propose legislation at the EU level. For the legislation to be officially considered and implemented by the European Commission and EU member states, it requires the support of 1 million European citizens from at least seven EU countries. Voting starts on February 1st, 2025.Save this picture!The current system, driven by speculative real estate practices, prioritizes new construction, leading to the demolition of millions of square meters of existing buildings annually. This results in significant social, economic, and environmental costs, including job losses, wasted resources, increased carbon emissions, and the destruction of cultural heritage. The initiative aims to change this by incentivizing renovation, creating a more sustainable and equitable building industry. The proposed legislation is based on 3 key pillars: tax reductions for renovation works and the reuse of materials, fair rules for the assessment of existing buildings, and new values for the embedded CO2 in existing structures.Save this picture!HouseEurope! emerged from the fight to save the Musebunker building from demolition, highlighting a systemic problem: renovation is perceived as riskier and more expensive than new construction, ignoring the social and environmental costs of demolition. By factoring in the hidden costs of demolition and promoting the value of existing structures, HouseEurope! aims for a sustainable and equitable building sector. Related Article Barcelona Plans to Ban Tourist Apartment Rentals to Ease the Housing Crisis The initiative has already gained support from a diverse network, including architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, founders of Herzog & de Meuron, Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal of Lacaton & Vassal, design studio Formafantasma, Oana Bogdan, sociologist Joanna Kusiak from Cambridge University, political economist Ann Pettifor, and Ruth Schagemann, President of the Architects' Council of Europe.Save this picture!Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Maria-Cristina Florian. "A European Citizens Initiative Calls for a Right to Reuse Existing Buildings" 20 Dec 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025037/a-european-citizens-initiative-calls-for-a-right-to-reuse-existing-buildings&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

2024's Steam Winter Sale has officially kicked off, and like previous events, this end-of-year promotion has a ton of discounted games on offer that'll help grow your backlog. We've highlighted our picks for many of the best deals available below; we generally favored games that appeared on our various Best Of 2024 lists.As expected, there are quite a few big discounts here, ranging from recent releases through to several other popular games. Overall, if you're looking to grab a AAA release or a few indies for your PC or Steam Deck, you should be able to save quite a few bucks with this sale. The Steam Winter Sale runs from December 19 through January 2, 2025 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. In case you don't find anything that catches your eye here, a few other sites are also holding sales events.Anyone looking for classic games in particular will want to head to GOG, as you can get some of the best games of yesteryear for as little as $2. Meanwhile, Fanatical also has huge discounts on hundreds of PC games, including hit 2024 games like Helldivers 2 and Dragon's Dogma 2. All orders of $15 or more include either a free game or coupon code.If you'd also like to some help picking out a particular game, you can check out GameSpot's Best of 2024 lists for a few pointers, like the best PC-exclusive games of the year. We also have our running lists of the best PC games and best Steam Deck games to play right now.Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom. Animal Well$20 ($25) See at Steam Balatro$13.50 ($15) See at Steam Baldur's Gate 3$48 ($60) See at Steam Children of the Sun$9 ($15) See at Steam Civilization 6$3 ($60) See at Steam Crow Country$15.59 ($20) See at Steam Cyberpunk 2077$27 ($60) See at Steam Dead Space$15 ($60) See at Steam Dragon Age: The Veilguard$39 ($60) See at Steam Dragon's Dogma 2$40 ($70) See at Steam Elden Ring$36 ($60) See at Steam Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth (preorder)$49 ($70) See at Steam Final Fantasy 16$37.49 ($40) See at Steam Frostpunk 2$36 ($45) See at Steam Gears Tactics$10 ($30) See at Steam God of War Ragnarok$48 ($60) See at Steam Granblue Fantasy Relink$30 ($60) See at Steam Grand Theft Auto 5$15 ($40) See at Steam Helldivers 2$32 ($40) See at Steam Hitman: World of Assassination$28 ($70) See at Steam I Am Your Beast$14 ($20) See at Steam Kill Knight$10 ($15) See at Steam Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth$35 ($70) See at Steam Lorelei and the Laser Eyes$18.74 ($25) See at Steam Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered$30 ($60) See at Steam Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales$25 ($50) See at Steam Marvel Vs. Capcom Fighting Collection$40 ($50) See at Steam Metal Slug Tactics$20 ($25) See at Steam Metaphor ReFantazio$52.49 ($70) See at Steam Minishoot Adventures$11.24 ($15) See at Steam Mortal Kombat 1$20 ($50) See at Steam Neon White$12.49 ($25) See at Steam The Outlast Trials$20 ($40) See at Steam Persona 3 Reload$42 ($70) See at Steam The Plucky Squire$22.49 ($30) See at Steam Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown$20 ($40) See at Steam The Rise of the Golden Idol$18 ($20) See at Steam Resident Evil 4$20 ($40) See at Steam Returnal$30 ($60) See at Steam The Rogue Prince of Persia$15 ($20) See at Steam Silent Hill 2$56 ($70) See at Steam Slay the Princess: The Pristine Cut$13.49 ($18) See at Steam Slitterhead$35 ($50) See at Amazon Sonic x Shadows Generations$37.49 ($50) See at Steam Tactical Breach Wizards$16 ($20) See at Steam Tekken 8$35 ($70) See at Amazon Thank Goodness You're Here$14 ($20) See at Steam UFO 50$21.24 ($25) See at Steam V Rising$21 ($35) See at Steam Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2$45 ($60) See at Steam

A small update has arrived to Call of Duty: Warzone on December 19, which introduces the new Archie's Festival Frenzy event. The patch notes detail audio improvements and bug fixes for battle royale, as well as the arrival of the season's new sniper rifle.Season 1 Reloaded adds the brand-new AMR Mod 4 sniper rifle, which can be earned for free in both Black Ops 6 and Warzone as a reward in the Archie's Festival Frenzy event. As previously reported by CharlieIntel, the weapon is also already available for purchase as a store bundle. Continue Reading at GameSpot

Sega's Blue Blur will be back again as Paramount has announced that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is set to hit theaters in Spring 2027, as reported by Variety. Paramount seems confident about the series' future, announcing the sequel on the same day Sonic the Hedgehog 3 premieres. The third film is expected to perform well due to the holiday season, even as it goes up against Disney's Lion King prequel, Mufasa.No plot details have been revealed for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, but star Ben Schwartz expressed his excitement to return to voice Sonic again on his Instagram page, confirming the news. What we do know is that Sonic 3 will fall in line with the tradition of the films that end with a new character being introduced.Fans have speculated that it will either be Amy Rose or Metal Sonic, but with Team Sonic's massive menagerie, all bets really are off.Continue Reading at GameSpot