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☆ The Fed could make a big change today. We’re not talking about interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN —Wednesday’s Federal Reserve policy decision will likely be pretty boring for investors — officials are widely expected to keep interest rates the same, just as they have since July 2023. They think that the Fed may curtail its quantitative tightening (QT) program — that’s the selling off of its assets to decrease money supply and increase interest rates — by as much as half. Those purchases ended up pushing down interest rates in certain parts of the economy, like housing and auto sales. That led to a “repo crisis”, where the interest rates for overnight loans between banks spiked unusually high. That’s because a taper should send bond prices higher, and interest rates lower.

Persons: there’s, Jamie Dimon, Jerome Powell doesn’t, Krishna Guha, Marco Casiraghi, ”, Bill Adams, Biden, reclassify, General Merrick Garland, Xochitl Hinojosa, “, Nancy Mace, Earl Blumenauer, ” Read, Zhao, Allison Morrow, ” Binance Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Fed, JPMorgan Chase, Comerica Bank, Bank of America, CNN, US Department of Justice, Federal Register, Congress, Associated Press, Republican, CZ, Binance, Bloomberg Locations: New York, South Carolina, Oregon, Seattle

☆ Exclusive: DOJ civil rights leader says she was a victim of abuse in extraordinary statement
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The leader of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, Kristen Clarke, said in an extraordinary personal statement shared with CNN that she was a victim of years-long domestic abuse and chose not to disclose an expunged arrest record from that period during the Senate confirmation process. “Nearly 2 decades ago, I was subjected to years-long abuse and domestic violence at the hands of my ex-husband,” Clarke wrote in the statement on Wednesday. “This was a terrorizing and traumatizing period that I have sought to put behind me to promote my personal health, healing and well-being. “When given the option to speak about such traumatic incidents in my life, I have chosen not to,” Clarke wrote. Clarke said she has brought her “personal experience and perspective of being a survivor of domestic violence” to her work.

Persons: Kristen Clarke, “, ” Clarke, Republican Sen, Tom Cotton, Clarke, ” Sen, Mike Lee, ”, CNN’s Devan Cole Organizations: CNN, Justice, Republican, The Daily, Utah Republican Locations: Utah

☆ Biden left without an easy solution as campus protests heat up
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Jeff Zeleny | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Demonstrators supporting Palestinians in Gaza barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York City on April 30. On Tuesday, White House officials sharply condemned the takeover of a building at Columbia University, voicing a rebuke of tactics they said went too far. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Mike Johnson, “, Karine Jean, Pierre, hadn’t, Alex Kent, Jean, ” Biden, —, “ Biden, nobody’s, Donald Trump, Lauren Hitt, haven’t, Etienne Laurent, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Spencer Platt, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk, Morehouse, ’, Karim Safieddine, ” Safieddine, Todd Richmond, Dahlia Saba, Trump, ” Saba, ” Barry Burden, ” Burden, that’s Organizations: CNN, Hamilton Hall, Columbia University, Getty, US, White, Heritage Month, Republican, Fox News, National Guard, Kent State University, University of California, UCLA, Getty Images Police, Police, Hamilton, Reuters Police, Columbia, Reuters, The City College of New, Protesters, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, George Washington University, AP, Sunday, New York University, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, USA, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, Democratic, US Military Academy, West, Morehouse College, Biden, Syracuse University, University of Pittsburgh, United Steel, Trump, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Democratic Party, Elections Research Locations: New York, Los Angeles, Israel, Gaza, America, spokespeople, New York City, November’s, AFP, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, Washington ,, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge, Vietnam, Biden’s, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Chicago

☆ Affordable internet gave Native Americans a way to preserve community and culture. Now it’s another broken promise
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Within weeks, the two-year-old US Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is set to run out of funds, and Congress appears unlikely to authorize more. Even as many older and rural Americans may be thrust into financial hardship due to the ACP’s collapse, indigenous communities could fare even worse. Because tribal members can now work remotely, they are no longer forced to move away from their communities to seek opportunity, they told CNN. For example, Mitchell said, after decades of decline in Mohawk fluency, a growing number of tribal members are now involved in online language immersion. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Seth Wenig/AP/FileInstead, some say, the collapse of the ACP will become another stain on the US government’s centuries-long track record of breaking promises to tribal communities.

Persons: Kelly, ”, “, “ That’s, ” Kelly, Mike Johnson, Pennsylvania Democratic Sen, John Fetterman, Fetterman’s, Jonathan Nez, “ I’ve, Loren King, Geoffrey Starks, ” Starks, Allyson Mitchell, Mitchell, Nez, ” Nez, Derrick VanSoolen’s, Choctaw, ” VanSoolen, they’re, Bois, Randy Long, Gary Johnson, Paul, Seth Wenig, I’ll Organizations: Washington CNN, Mohawk, CNN, Connectivity Program, FCC, Pennsylvania Democratic, Federal Communications Commission, Treasury, US Federal Communications Commission, Mohawk Networks, Navajo, ACP, Emergency, Program, Choctaw Nation, Bois Forte, Paul Bunyan Communications Locations: St, Lawrence, New York, Canadian, Mohawk, America, Navajo, Oklahoma, Oklahoma , Arizona, New Mexico, Alaska, South Dakota, Arizona, Minnesota, Regis

☆ Greene Says She Will Demand Vote Next Week on Removing Johnson
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Robert Jimison | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said on Wednesday that she would demand a vote next week on a motion to remove Speaker Mike Johnson, moving forward in the face of all but certain defeat with a second attempt during this Congress to depose a Republican speaker. In a morning news conference at the Capitol, Ms. Greene excoriated Mr. Johnson for working with Democrats to push through major legislation and said it was time for lawmakers to go on the record about where they stood on his speakership. “I think every member of Congress needs to take that vote and let the chips fall where they may,” Ms. Greene said. “And so next week, I am going to be calling this motion to vacate.”The move comes just over a week after Mr. Johnson pushed through a long-stalled $95 billion package to aid Israel, Ukraine and other U.S. allies over the objections of Ms. Greene and other right-wing Republicans who staunchly opposed sending additional aid to Kyiv.

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Greene excoriated Mr, Johnson, “, ” Ms, Greene Organizations: Capitol, Republicans Locations: Georgia, Israel, Ukraine, Kyiv

☆ What Departing Lawmakers Think About Congress - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Even the insiders arefed up with Washington. To understand why,we put the same eightquestions to Houseand Senate members inboth parties who areon the way out, looking forpatterns and prescriptionsto get a handle on theplace. Corruption, money,perks, frustrations,solutions — hear whatthey said about it all.

Locations: Washington

☆ Biden Tax Increases Won’t Hit Middle Class, Yellen Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Alan Rappeport | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The battle lines of the next big tax fight were laid out on Tuesday as Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen sparred with Republicans over the Biden administration’s plans to raise taxes on businesses and wealthy Americans. In recent weeks, Republicans have been amplifying their attacks on President Biden’s tax proposals, which have become central to the president’s re-election message. Many provisions in the $1.7 trillion tax cut that Republican lawmakers and former President Donald J. Trump enacted in 2017 are set to expire in 2025, including lower tax rates for individuals as well as many tax breaks for corporations. Renewing all of the tax measures for another decade would cost about $3 trillion, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation. Republicans have begun warning that Mr. Biden plans to allow all of the tax cuts to expire, effectively raising taxes on businesses and families at a moment when inflation is pinching consumers.

Persons: Janet L, sparred, Biden’s, Donald J, Trump, Biden Organizations: Biden, Republican, Taxation, Republicans

☆ Retiring lawmakers are once again complaining that their $174,000 salary is too low
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Retiring lawmakers are once again saying that their $174,000 salary isn't enough. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . That's what happened when Rep. Patrick McHenry, one of many retiring House Republicans, told an interviewer earlier this year that the $174,000 salary that rank-and-file members of both the House and Senate receive is not enough. Now, even more retiring lawmakers are saying the same thing — and acknowledging that they may not be saying it if they weren't on their way out the door. The salary has remained the same since 2009, and if it had kept pace with inflation, lawmakers would now be making more than $250,000 annually.

Persons: haven't, —, they're, Patrick McHenry, McHenry, Ken Buck, I'd, Buck, Tony Cárdenas, I've, Anna Eshoo, it's, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, Ken Cuccinelli — Organizations: Service, House Republicans, Colorado Republican, New York Times, California Democrat, Times, Democratic, Trump Locations: California, Alexandria, Cortez of New York

☆ Congress may cancel Biden's new airline refund rules: Here's what's at stake
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailCongress may cancel Biden's new airline refund rules: Here's what's at stakeBrian Kelly, The Points Guy founder, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss reports that four lawmakers on Congress overseeing aviation policy may overturn President Biden's new rules that would require airlines to issue automatic cash refunds on cancelled or delayed flights in certain cases, what's at stake for consumers and airlines, and more.

Persons: Brian Kelly, Guy, Biden's

College Democrats of America, the student organization of the Democratic Party, endorsed pro-Palestinian campus protests on Tuesday and called on President Biden to support a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. Overnight from Monday into Tuesday, protesters at Columbia took over a building on campus. “As College Democrats, we are committed to the re-election of President Biden and Democrats across down-ballot races in every corner of our nation,” the statement said. “We’re realizing that our duty as College Democrats is to be representatives of college students to the party, rather than vice versa,” Mr. Muralitharan said. And throughout the nation, we’re witnessing Joe Biden, Democrats across the ballot, losing scores of young voters over this issue.”The statement was written largely by the organization’s Muslim Caucus.

Persons: Biden, ”, “ MAGA, “, Mr, —, Netanyahu, Sunjay Muralitharan, ” Mr, Muralitharan, Joe Biden, Hasan Pyarali, Biden’s, Pyarali, Donald J, Trump, won’t, Joshua Martin, you’re, we’re, Martin, Indiana University —, ’ Organizations: Democrats of America, Democratic Party, College Democrats, Columbia University, Students, Columbia, Protesters, Portland State University and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, “ MAGA Republicans, Jewish, “, Democratic National Committee, University of California, Muslim Caucus, Wake Forest University, Mr, College Democrats ’, University of Houston, Hamas, College Democrats of, Yale, New York University, Indiana University Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, San Diego, Palestine, Biden’s Israel, College Democrats of America

☆ ‘Smartphones on Wheels’ Draw Attention From Regulators
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Kashmir Hill | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the American imagination, car keys and a driver’s license have long represented freedom, autonomy and privacy. But modern cars, which have hundreds of sensors, cameras and internet connectivity, are now potential spying machines acting in ways drivers do not completely understand. The senators, both Democrats, say this sharing can “seriously threaten Americans’ privacy” by revealing their visits to protests, health clinics, places of worship, support groups or other sensitive places. “As far-right politicians escalate their war on women, I’m especially concerned about cars revealing people who cross state lines to obtain an abortion,” Senator Wyden said in a statement. Government attention to the car industry is intensifying, experts say, because of the increased technological sophistication of modern cars.

Persons: Ron Wyden, Edward J, Markey, Lina Khan, Wyden Organizations: Oregon, Massachusetts, Federal Trade Commission

☆ HSBC CEO announces surprise retirement
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong — HSBC has announced its chief executive Noel Quinn will retire — a surprise departure by its hard-nosed leader of five years who has overseen a sweeping series of asset sales across the globe. “We do hope that the next CEO would lay out more plans, execution-wise, to further increase the bank’s businesses in Asian countries,” he added. “I’ve held intensive leadership roles since I took on a commercial bank role in October 2008, so I’m personally ready for a change,” Quinn told reporters on a call. HSBC also faced criticism in recent years from Western lawmakers over its dealings with China amid growing geopolitical tensions. The London-headquartered bank also announced $3 billion worth of share buybacks on top of $2 billion in share purchases announced in February.

Persons: Noel Quinn, —, Georges Elhedery, Quinn, ”, Simon Yuen, “ I’ve, I’m, ” Quinn, “ It’s, Mark Tucker, “, ” Tucker, China’s Organizations: HSBC, HSBC’s, Management, China’s Ping An Insurance Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, United States, France, Argentina, Canada, Europe, China, The London

☆ China's plan to be the dominant power in space is moving at breathtaking speed. The US needs to wake up, officials say.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewAfter a meeting with Japanese and South Korean officials in Tokyo on Friday, US Space Force commander Gen. Stephen Whiting warned about a growing threat. China, he said, is "moving at breathtaking speed in space," and is developing a range of weapons that threaten America's space supremacy, reported Stars and Stripes. "For the first time in decades, US leadership in space and space technology is being challenged," Meink added. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations at United States Space Force, last year warned against taking US space supremacy for granted. Air Force Lieutenant General Gregory Guillot (L) and US Space Force Lieutenant General Stephen Whiting (R) on July 26, 2023.

Persons: —, Stephen Whiting, They're, Troy Meink, Space.com, Meink, Chance Saltzman, I'm, Saltzman, Whiting, Dominic Chiu, Gregory Guillot, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Donald Trump, Chiu, Artemis, Frank Lucas, Anthony Mastalir, Graeme Thompson, Thompson, Tory Bruno, Arthur Herman, John F, Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, we've Organizations: Service, Korean, Space Force, Business, National Reconnaissance Office, Space Operations, United States Space Force, Eurasia Group, Air Force, US Space Force, House Science, Technology Committee, Brig, US Space Forces, Pentagon, United Launch Alliance, NBC News, Hudson Institute Locations: Tokyo, China, Colorado, Australia, Russia

☆ Election Updates: College Democrats of America back protests and criticize Biden’s Israel policy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Maggie Astor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

College Democrats of America, the student organization of the Democratic Party, endorsed pro-Palestinian campus protests on Tuesday and called on President Biden to support a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. It was a striking rebuke from an organization that has historically worked in tandem with the Democratic Party and whoever leads it. “As College Democrats, we are committed to the re-election of President Biden and Democrats across down-ballot races in every corner of our nation,” the statement said. “We’re realizing that our duty as College Democrats is to be representatives of college students to the party, rather than vice versa,” Mr. Muralitharan said. “As it stands right now, young people starkly differ on the issue of Palestine/Israel from the Democratic Party apparatus.

Persons: Biden, ”, “ MAGA, “, Mr, —, Netanyahu, Sunjay Muralitharan, ” Mr, Muralitharan, Joe Biden, Hasan Pyarali, Biden’s, Pyarali, Donald J, Trump, won’t Organizations: Democrats of America, Democratic Party, College Democrats, Columbia University, Students, Columbia, Protesters, Portland State University and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, “ MAGA Republicans, Jewish, “, Democratic National Committee, University of California, Muslim Caucus, Wake Forest University, Mr Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, San Diego, Palestine, Biden’s Israel

☆ Democrats: College campus protests highlight tensions in Biden’s coalition
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters confront a Texas state trooper at the University of Texas in Austin on Monday, April 29. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Protesters link arms at Emerson College in Boston on April 24. Brian Snyder/Reuters House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks to the media on the campus of Columbia University after meeting with Jewish students on April 24. Alex Kent/AFP/Getty Images People watch from a window as New York University students set up a tent encampment on April 22. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Alex Kent, Biden, Andrew Bates, “, Chuck Schumer, –, Hind Rajab, Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Mike Lawler, Israel –, Jared Moskowitz, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, ” Moskowitz, Sanders, “ Bernie, Alexandria Ocasio, Cortez, “ Sen, Sanders ’, ” Ocasio, tikkun, ”, Ocasio, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, David Dee Delgado, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Caitlin Ochs, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk, Kena Betancur, Josh Gottheimer, Dan Goldman, Richard Nixon, Netanyahu’s, Elizabeth Warren of, Bernie, ’, Warren, ‘, Netanyahu, Israel, ” Sanders –, Sanders –, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, who’s, ” Murphy, Elise Stefanik, ” Stefanik, CNN’s Donald Judd, Kevin Liptak, Annie Grayer Organizations: CNN, Israel Democrats, Capitol, Columbia University, Hamilton Hall, Getty, New York Democrat, College Democrats, America, Columbia, Republicans, Democrats, GOP, Jewish Democrats, Israeli, GOP Rep, Democratic, Florida, New York Rep, Hamilton, Columbia Students, Justice, Brown University, University of Texas, George Washington University, AP, University of California, UCLA, Getty Images, New York University, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, USA, Network, Reuters, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, Getty Images Police, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, New York Police Department, Occupy, Hamas, Democratic Party, Biden, White, International Court of Justice, Sunday, Fox News, New York, Republican Locations: Gaza, New York City, Columbia, Palestinian, ”, Gaza City, Palestine, New York, Vermont, Alexandria, Israel, Cortez, Providence , Rhode Island, AFP, Texas, Austin, Washington ,, Los Angeles, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge, New Jersey, Washington, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, “ State, Chris Murphy of Connecticut

☆ Sorry, America, it's looking like higher interest rates are going to stick around longer
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | Madison Hoff | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Federal Reserve is expected to once again hold interest rates steady on Wednesday. Some predictions also do not forecast any interest rate cuts until the second half of the year. AdvertisementIt's probably still not time for the nation's central bank to cut interest rates just yet. AdvertisementGiven that inflation is still above the Fed's 2% target, it's looking like rate cuts might not come until the second half of 2024. "Inflation has continued to run hot and there is no compelling need for the Fed to cut interest rates until they're comfortable with where inflation is headed."

Persons: Powell, —, It's, Julia Pollak, Jerome Powell, Gregory Daco, Greg McBride Organizations: Federal, Service, Fed Locations: Washington

☆ Democrats have officially decided to save Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Democrats have officially decided to protect Speaker Mike Johnson from MTG's ouster effort. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "We will vote to table Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Motion to Vacate the Chair. Some progressives may even vote against tabling Greene's motion, and showing that Johnson is reliant on Democratic votes to continue serving could weaken his standing — to Greene's benefit — in future leadership elections.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Greene, —, Mike Johnson's, Hakeem Jeffries —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene's, Matt Gaetz, Kevin McCarthy, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, McCarthy, it's, tabling Organizations: Putin, Service, Democratic, Republican Rep, — Reps Locations: Ukraine, Arizona

☆ Water Heaters Use Lots of Energy. The D.O.E. Wants to Change That.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration on Tuesday adopted stricter energy-efficiency standards for residential water heaters, the most consequential move in a flurry of changes designed to reduce the energy used by many common appliances including stoves, dishwashers and lightbulbs. The Department of Energy said the new standards, taken together, will save American households and businesses nearly $1 trillion over 30 years, and save the average family $100 a year or more through lower utility bills. The changes will also cut greenhouse gas emissions, the agency said, by an amount equivalent to taking 18 million gas-burning cars off the road over that time. However, the changes have come under withering attack by Republican lawmakers who claim the new rules will make appliances costlier in the short term. Republican politicians and their allies have accused the administration of planning to ban gas stoves, for example, and conservative groups have blamed environmental rules for what it claimed was the decline of the American dishwasher.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Department of Energy, Republican, Appliances, Laundry

☆ Live updates: Pro-Palestinian university protests disrupt Columbia, UCLA, campuses across the US
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Elizabeth Wolfe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

At Washington University , more than 80 people were arrested at the campus Saturday, the university said. About 100 people were arrested on Northeastern University's campus in Boston on Saturday morning as authorities broke up an unauthorized encampment. At Arizona State University , police arrested 72 people in connection to an encampment on campus, university officials said. , police arrested 72 people in connection to an encampment on campus, university officials said. The number of demonstrators on George Washington University's campus is dwindling, but another group has erected an encampment of about 20 tents on a nearby public street.

Persons: scuffles, Jill Stein, George Washington Organizations: University of California, Washington University, Green Party, Arizona State University Locations: Israel, Gaza, University of California Los Angeles, Northeastern University's, Boston

☆ World’s largest sovereign wealth fund says green backlash is a chance for it to 'phase in' — not out
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Norway's $1.6 trillion wealth fund added to its bets in the biggest technology companies last year after interest in artificial intelligence drove a surge in the sector. Norway's $1.6 trillion sovereign wealth fund says it will continue to advocate for investments based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, brushing off the impact of a green political backlash. Analysts expect the outcome of this year's U.S. presidential election to determine whether the pushback against ESG investment strategies will have a deep and lasting effect. Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), told CNBC that the country's wealth fund continued to advocate for the ESG agenda. So that's important," Tangen told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on April 23.

Persons: Nicolai Tangen, Tangen, CNBC's Organizations: Norges Bank Investment Management, Republican, Democratic, CNBC Locations: Oslo, Norway, United States, U.S

☆ Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance as ouster threat looms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Clare Foran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —House Speaker Mike Johnson pushed to pass a major foreign aid package over the objections of hardline conservatives. Looming over Johnson as lawmakers come back to Washington is the question of whether he will face a vote over his ouster. A number of conservatives, however, opposed the legislation — and sending further aid to Ukraine in particular. So far, two other House Republicans have publicly backed the effort — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Over the recess, Johnson appeared to be trying to quell conservative opposition by highlighting his support for causes and positions that motivate the GOP base.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Johnson “, doesn’t, I’ve, ” Johnson, ” Greene, Kevin McCarthy, Marjorie Taylor Greene gaggles, Greene, Kent Nishimura, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Texas, @SpeakerJohnson, ” CNN’s Kit Maher, Lauren Fox Organizations: CNN —, Louisiana Republican, Republicans, GOP, ” Republican, CNN, Getty, Columbia University Locations: Louisiana, Ukraine, Israel, Washington, Georgia, Washington ,, Taiwan, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Johnson, Columbia

☆ Hunter Biden demands that Fox News remove ‘intimate’ images from its platforms
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Holmes Lybrand | Dana Bash | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hunter Biden’s legal team has undertaken an aggressive legal and public relations strategy for several months. His lawyers have fired off letters demanding investigations into Hunter Biden’s opponents and filed a series of lawsuits against his detractors. Hunter Biden’s lawyers say they “anticipate” suing Fox but have not yet done so. This stepped-up strategy by Hunter Biden to defend himself against the onslaught of attacks initially stoked anxiety among some of President Biden’s political advisers. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to those criminal charges.

Persons: CNN — Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s, Hunter Biden, “, Biden, Hunter Biden’s, Hunter, ”, Biden’s, Fox, ” Hunter, Alexander Smirnov, Fox News “, Sean Hannity, Maria Bartiromo, Jesse Watters “, don’t Organizations: CNN, Fox, Fox News, FOX Corp, FOX, FBI, Republican Locations: Delaware, California

☆ Local senators slam FAA bill provision that would add long-haul flights to a key DC-area airport and benefit lawmakers: 'Ridiculous and dangerous'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Many lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been pushing for long-haul flights at National Airport for years. But the senators from Virginia and Maryland are firmly against the provision, pointing to safety concerns. AdvertisementFor many members of Congress, the allure of adding long-haul flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is impossible to resist. While Delta Air Lines has thrown its support behind the long-haul provision, United Airlines has opposed the push. Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, while fully equipped to handle long-haul flights, are miles outside of Washington, DC.

Persons: —, Ronald Reagan, Democratic Sens, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Virginia, Ben Cardin, Chris Van Hollen, Kaine, Warner, Cardin, Van Hollen Organizations: Capitol, National Airport, FAA, Service, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, National, Federal Aviation Administration, Democratic, DCA, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport Locations: Virginia, Maryland, Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington, Va, Western, America, Baltimore, Washington

☆ More than 1 million student-loan borrowers could soon be transferred to a new company after their servicer requested a lighter load, the Education Department says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewA major student-loan company has requested that it no longer manage some of the borrowers in its servicing portfolio. "MOHELA continues to serve as one of the Department's federal student loan servicers and will continue their support for millions of student loan borrowers," the blog post said. AdvertisementThis announcement comes as the Education Department is working to overhaul the student-loan servicing industry to make it easier to use for borrowers. Warren told BI in a statement that less than three weeks after she held the hearing, "the Education Department is taking critical action to protect student loan borrowers." Advertisement"There is more that the Education Department can do to hold MOHELA accountable, but today's action is an important first step," Warren said.

Persons: —, MOHELA, servicers, Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Warren Organizations: Service, Federal, Business, An Education Department, Public, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Democratic Locations: MOHELA

☆ ‘Should have been done yesterday’: Rural, older Americans could get hurt as affordable internet program runs out of cash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Brian Fung | Jason Carroll | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

But in just a few weeks, her internet bills, and those of other Americans like her, could skyrocket by hundreds of dollars a year. The program is heavily used by Americans over age 50, military veterans and low-income working families nationwide, according to FCC data. Amira Karaoud/Reuters/FileRural and older usersThe ACP has quickly gained adoption since Congress created the program in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Large swaths of the ACP’s user base trend older; Americans over 65 account for almost 20% of the program. The FCC’s Lifeline program, which dates to the Reagan administration, similarly gives low-income households a monthly discount on phone or internet service.

Persons: Cindy Westman, —, I’ll, ”, Westman, ’, Westman —, Gigi Sohn, “, Biden, Allison Bailey /, Cynthia George, George, ” George, Marc Veasey, They’re, Geoffrey Starks, “ It’s, ” Starks, Amira Karaoud, Walter Durham, I’m, ” Durham, Michelle McDonough, McDonough, she’ll, doesn’t, “ I’m, ” McDonough, Kamesha Scott, Louis, Megan Janicki, ” Janicki, Reagan, Mike Johnson, Blair Levin, Johnson didn’t, Levin, Jonathan Blaine, ” Blaine, they’re Organizations: CNN, Program, Social, Federal Communications Commission, FCC, Capitol, Getty, MSN, White, ” Texas Democratic, “, Comcast, ACP, Navy, American Library Association, Lifeline, Republicans, Republican, New, Research, ” Bills Locations: Eureka , Illinois, America, Dallas, Las Vegas, Kentucky, San Diego, United States, Maine, St, Vermont

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