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VA loan borrowers were given the option to put their mortgages in forbearance, meaning they could temporarily pause their mortgage payments. So on November 17, the VA announced a stopgap for distressed VA borrowers. Advertisement"This is good news for VA borrowers, especially those who may be struggling with their mortgage payments," says Christy Bunce, president of New American Funding. How to take advantage of the Refund Modification programDuring the pause, the VA is also offering its Refund Modification program. The VA says that borrowers struggling to make mortgage payments should visit the VA Housing Assistance website or call 877-827-3702 for help.

Persons: servicers, —, who's, it's, Christy Bunce, Bunce Organizations: Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, NPR, Veterans, New Locations: forbearance

“Allowing confidential sources to be ordered revealed means that the public will have less information. Abrams represented New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who spent 85 days in jail after being held in contempt for refusing to divulge a source in an investigation of leaks about an undercover CIA agent. “The First Amendment interest in protecting journalists’ sources is at its highest in cases, like this, involving reporting on national security,” Philbin wrote in court papers. That settlement resulted in a contempt order being vacated against a journalist who was being asked to name her sources. Courts have recognized that journalists have a limited privilege to keep confidential their sources, allowing reporters to block subpoenas in the past.

Persons: Catherine Herridge, Yanping Chen, Chen, Herridge, Christopher Cooper, —, It’s, ”, Floyd Abrams, Abrams, Judith Miller, Cooper, Herridge’s, Chen's, Patrick Philbin, Trump, “, ” Philbin, they’ve, Steven Hatfill, Gabe Rottman, Rottman, ” ___ Richer Organizations: WASHINGTON, FBI, Fox News, U.S, District, New York Times, CIA, CBS, Justice Department, White, CBS News, Department, Courts, Freedom, Press, group's Technology Locations: Washington, Virginia, Boston

☆ Blinken brings a notable shift in US language toward Israel as pressure mounts at home and abroad
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Paul Leblanc | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —When US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented the civilian death toll in Gaza on Friday, it marked a subtle but notable shift in US language toward the Israeli government. Administration officials argue they have had success in some areas as they work to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The White House said Thursday that Israel had agreed to move forward with daily four-hour pauses of military operations in areas of Northern Gaza. That’s a rise from 32% saying Israel should negotiate while fighting when the survey was last conducted about two weeks earlier. At a news conference Wednesday, Blinken sought to make that posture clear, even as pressure continues to mount at home and abroad.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, we’ll, Blinken, Israel, ” Mustafa, Al Nasr, ”, Kahlout, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, “ Biden, John Kirby, that’s, ” Kirby, “, –, Jennifer Hansler, Kevin Liptak, MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Administration, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Al, Pediatric, IDF, Hamas, Public, Research, Israel Democracy Institute, National Security Locations: Gaza, New Delhi, Israel, Northern Gaza, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, London, Istanbul, New York, Baghdad, Rome, Washington ,, Iraq, Syria, India, Blinken

☆ A Republican senator said 'nobody's buying' Tuberville's claims that blocking hundreds of promotions hasn't impacted military readiness
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has repeatedly said his hold on military promotions isn't affecting readiness. Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Marine Corps veteran, said "nobody's buying that." AdvertisementAdvertisementA GOP senator said on Monday that "nobody's buying" by Sen. Tommy Tuberville's claim that military readiness hasn't been affected by the Alabama senator's hold on promotions. In recent months, Tuberville has maintained that although he's singlehandedly prevented hundreds of military promotions from being approved en masse in the Senate, the readiness of the nation's defenses has remained unchanged. "No matter whether you believe it or not, Sen. Tuberville, this doing great damage to our military," said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, an Air Force veteran.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Dan Sullivan, —, Tommy Tuberville's, hasn't, Marine Corps who's, Tuberville, he's, Tuberville's, — Sullivan, Lindsey Graham of, I've Organizations: Marine Corps, Service, Alabama, Republican, Marine Corps Reserve, Punchbowl News, Senate, Biden Administration, Democrats, an Air Force Locations: Tuberville, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina

☆ Researchers find sensitive personal data of US military personnel is for sale online
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Sensitive personal information like the apparent home addresses and health conditions of thousands of active-duty US military personnel can be bought cheaply online from so-called data brokers, according to a study published Monday by Duke University researchers. The researchers could shop for data on servicemembers based on geolocation, including whether they lived or work near Fort Bragg, Quantico or other sensitive military locations. The Federal Trade Commission is currently considering new regulations to crack down on data brokers. “However, we have repeatedly raised concerns about the practices of data brokers and their potential impact on consumer privacy. The Pentagon and US intelligence community have long been concerned about how foreign spies might exploit the market for personal data on Americans.

Persons: Scammers, ”, Justin Sherman, ” Sherman, Ron Wyden, “, ” Wyden Organizations: CNN, Duke University, Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, Social, Consumer Financial, Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, Fair, Oregon Democrat, Department of Defense’s, Pentagon Locations: Fort Bragg, Quantico, Oregon, United States

☆ Opinion: What’s Iran’s real plan in its proxy battle against Israel?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Peter Bergen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Henry Kissinger once observed that Iranian leaders must decide if Iran is a cause or a nation. But neither Iran nor Hezbollah seems to have had a plan for what to do following Hamas’s massacres last month in Israel. On Friday, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon, spoke publicly for the first time about the war in Gaza. For the moment, both Hezbollah and Israel are exchanging tit-for-tat fire along Israel’s northern border that falls short of anything close to a full-blown war. The Iranians, in short, have enough problems of their own not to start a shooting war with Israel backed by its American ally.

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, CNN — Henry Kissinger, propping, Bashar al, Assad, Hassan Nasrallah, Nasrallah, Israel —, Manu Brabo Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, Spotify, CNN, Hezbollah, Pentagon, Twitter, Facebook, US Locations: New America, Iran, East, Lebanon, Yemen, Iranian, Iraq, Hamas, Gaza, Lebanese, Israel, Tehran, Syria, Islam, Al Aqsa, Jerusalem, United States

☆ Republicans clash for hours on the Senate floor as tempers flare over Sen. Tommy Tuberville's blockade of military promotions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Republican senators tore into their GOP colleague Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Wednesday night. They'd had enough of Tuberville's months-long blockade of military promotions. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementA handful of Senate Republicans on Wednesday evening tore into fellow Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville for hours, arguing that his blockade of more than 300 military promotions has damaged the US armed forces and risks serious long-term consequences. Historically speaking, military promotions have sailed through the Senate while lawmakers have used procedural hurdles to slow down political appointees.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, They'd, Lindsey Graham, —, Republican Sen, Lindsey Graham of, Tuberville, I've, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Dan Sullivan, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Joni Ernst of Iowa, Ernst, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, Eric Smith, Smith's Organizations: GOP, Service, Republicans, Republican, Auburn, The Alabama Republican, Alaska Republican, US Marine Reserves, Marine Corps, DOD, Politico Locations: Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Alaska

☆ Lawmakers take aim at credit card interest rates, fees as cardholder debt tops $1 trillion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We do not see a path forward for legislation to cap credit card interest rates," Seiberg said. There are 70 million more credit card accounts open now than in 2019, it said. Credit card interest rates have predominantly remained below 36% due to "self-restraint" by banks, though that's still "extremely high" for a credit card, said Lauren Saunders, associate director at the National Consumer Law Center. I think some of the [political] lines are starting to blur a little bit, at least on credit card issues. How to reduce your personal card rate to 0%Rossman's general advice to consumers: Make your personal credit card rate 0%.

Persons: Luis Alvarez, Rossman, Seiberg, There's, that's, Lauren Saunders, Ted Rossman, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio, Glenn Grothman, Grothman, Hawley Organizations: Digitalvision, Getty, Cowen Washington Research Group, Republican, Federal Reserve Bank of New, Federal Reserve, National Consumer Law Locations: Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Alexandria, Cortez, Jesús, Chuy, García

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea said Wednesday that it will expel a U.S. soldier who crossed into the country through the heavily armed border between the Koreas in July. At the time he crossed the border, King was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction. Following weeks of silence, North Korea confirmed in August that it had detained King, 23, and was investigating the circumstances surrounding his border crossing. King, who is from Wisconsin, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. That happened in 2017 when North Korea deported Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was in a coma at the time of his release and later died.

Persons: Travis King, King, Claudine Gates, ”, “, Otto Warmbier, Bill Richardson —, —, servicemembers Organizations: Korean Central News Agency, U.S . Army, DPRK, Democratic People’s, State Department, Pentagon, Associated Press Locations: SEOUL, South Korea, North Korea, U.S, Fort Bliss , Texas, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Wisconsin, Korea, America

CNN —New York City officials have identified two more victims of the September 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center, just days before the 22nd memorial anniversary of the attacks. The man and woman identified are the 1,648th and 1,649th victims identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. The mayor’s office said that they were withholding the names of the two new victims at the request of their families. A total of 2,753 people were reported missing in lower Manhattan after the attacks on the World Trade Center. New York City Mayor Eric Adams noted in the announcement the victims’ families who continue to grieve.

Persons: ”, Jason Graham, OCME, Eric Adams Organizations: CNN, New, World Trade Center, Medical, U.S, World Trade, New York City Locations: New York City, Manhattan, New York

CNN —The nominee to be the US military’s most senior general warned US airmen in a letter this week that the Chinese military wants “to exploit your knowledge and skill to fill gaps in their military capability.”Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Concerns over western pilots training China’s military has grown in recent years, as Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand – all members of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, which includes the US – have taken steps to prevent former military pilots from offering their expertise to Beijing. Last October, the UK Ministry of Defense said it believed up to 30 former British military pilots were providing training in China and that many others have been approached, including pilots who were still serving. He has denied the allegations, saying he was only training Chinese civilian pilots seeking to improve their skills. And recently, two Navy sailors were arrested and indicted for allegedly sending classified information to Chinese intelligence officers.

Persons: Charles Q, Brown, Mark Milley, ” Brown, “, ”, Richard Marles Organizations: CNN, ” Air Force, Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO, Liberation Army, Air Chiefs, The Washington, New Zealand, UK Ministry of Defense, UK Armed Forces, People’s Liberation Army, Australian, “ Defense, Foreign Intelligence Services, Navy Locations: Australia, United Kingdom, New, Beijing, China, People’s Republic of China

Let’s go to work.”Tuberville’s blockade is unique because it affects hundreds of military nominations and promotions. But, while unusual, Tuberville's office notes that lawmakers from both parties have threatened holds on military promotions over the years. But if Republican leaders are pressuring Tuberville to end his holds, they are not doing so publicly. Some Republicans have suggested that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., could hold votes on some of the most critical nominations. “I'd like to vote to rescind the policy, but I'm not going to hold the military up in perpetuity,” Graham said.

Persons: Alabama Sen, Tommy Tuberville, “ We're, ”, servicemembers, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Tuberville, ” “, “, ” Tuberville, Lloyd Austin, Let’s, It’s, What's, Austin, Court’s Dobbs, “ I'm, Sen, John Thune, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, ” Schumer, Lindsey Graham, it's, I'm, ” Graham, Roger Wicker, ” Wicker Organizations: WASHINGTON, Alabama, Pentagon, Navy, Air Force, Army, Washington Post, Marine Corps, CNN, ‘, Democratic, Senate, Defense Department, Senate Armed Services Committee, Republican, Marines, Space Force, Senate Armed Services Locations: Washington, Russia, Tuberville

☆ The secretary of the Navy said Sen. Tommy Tuberville is playing 'Russian roulette with the very lives of our service members' by stopping military confirmations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Since March, GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville has blocked more than 300 military promotions. On Tuesday, three military secretaries spoke out against his decision in a CNN appearance. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro accused Tuberville of aiding China with his block. On Tuesday, the secretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force appeared on CNN to discuss Tuberville'songoing decision to block any military promotions that need congressional approval. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said that the block is having an impact on the military's "combat readiness."

Persons: GOP Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Carlos Del Toro, Tuberville, he's, Del Toro, Ian Bremmer, Nikki Haley, Trump, Christine Wormuth Organizations: GOP, CNN, Service, Navy, Army, Air Force, Russia, Washington Post, Pentagon Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Cuba, Tuberville

☆ Biden says he's 'forever grateful' to forces in Afghanistan on two-year anniversary of exit
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"We also remember the hundreds of service members from allied and partner countries who lost their lives during this 20-year war. The conflict, which spanned over four administrations, claimed the lives of nearly 2,500 U.S. service members and more than 100,000 Afghan troops, police personnel and civilians. In April 2021, Biden ordered the full withdrawal of approximately 3,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11 of that year. Taliban forces stand guard in front of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, September 2, 2021. Evacuees crowd the interior of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft, carrying some 640 Afghans to Qatar from Kabul, Afghanistan August 15, 2021.

Persons: WASHINGTON —, Biden, Defense Lloyd Austin, servicemembers, Austin, George W, Bush, Hamid Karzai, Stringer, Ashraf Ghani, Antony Blinken Organizations: Forward Operating Base, Department of Defense, WASHINGTON, Taliban, NATO, Defense, World Trade, Pentagon, Bagram Air Base, U.S, Afghan National Security and Defense Force, Reuters, Western, U.S . Air Force, Handout Locations: Forward Operating Base Salerno, Khost province, Afghanistan, U.S, Kabul's, New York City, Bagram, Kabul, Doha, Qatar, United States

☆ Abbott's Texas National Guard set up a secret spy operation and treated the border like it was the war in Iraq: whistleblowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Sonam Sheth | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Texas National Guardsmen set up a secret spying mission by using WhatsApp to snoop on migrants, a watchdog found. Top brass in Operation Lone Star — a state-run effort to combat illegal immigration — "wanted to pretend it was like Iraq," one servicemember told The Texas Tribune and The Military Times. Insider has reached out to the Texas National Guard for comment. After whistleblowers reported the WhatsApp surveillance, leaders in the Texas National Guard shut down Operation Lone Star's intelligence unit, the report said. The Texas Military Department's inspector general also investigated the activity and determined it was an unauthorized foreign intelligence operation, the outlets reported.

Persons: snoop, Greg Abbott, Greg Abbott's, Tuesday's, weren't, David Tyler Organizations: Texas National Guardsmen, Lone Star, The Texas Tribune, The Military Times . Texas Gov, National Guardsmen, Service, Gov, Texas Tribune, The Military Times, The Tribune, Operation Lone Star, Tribune, Texas National Guard, Star, Texas Gov, Department of Homeland Security, feds, DHS, The Texas Military Locations: Iraq, Wall, Silicon, Texas, Rio Grande, Lt

☆ Nation's top general says it's an 'overstatement' to say 'the entire military is woke' over a few drag shows on bases
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Critics have pointed to drag shows and the use of critical race theory, both of which Milley said are overstated. Milley, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, said he supported Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to ban drag shows at military bases after some Republican lawmakers sparked an outcry. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Florida Republican, who criticized the drag shows, called the Pentagon's new policy a "HUGE VICTORY." Critics have also taken aim at critical race theory, an academic theory that looks at America's history of racism and discrimination through a modern lens. Already, three military services are without a Senate-confirmed leader, the first time that's happened in the nation's history.

Persons: Mark Milley, Milley, Lloyd Austin's, Austin, Matt Gaetz, Critics, Donald Trump, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, C.Q, Brown Jr Organizations: Washington Post, Service, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington Post's, Nellis Air Force Base, Ramstein Air Base, Florida Republican, Republicans, Department of Defense, Republican, Air Force Locations: Wall, Silicon, Nevada, Germany, Florida

☆ Yevgeny Prigozhin: Where in the world is the Wagner warlord?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nathan Hodge | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

It was a stark contrast to the fate of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Back in June, Prigozhin led the abortive mutiny that presented the biggest challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin in over two decades of rule. Speaking after Wagner fighters relocated to Belarus, Prigozhin suggested he remained focused on this core African market. In a recent Telegram message, Prigozhin hinted that Wagner might be ready to offer its services there. “And this is the (the reason for the) love for PMC Wagner, this is the high efficiency of PMC Wagner.

Persons: Alexey Navalny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Prigozhin, Vladimir Putin, Putin, ”, Prigozhin hasn’t, –, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Andrei Kelin, Kelin, “, ” Kelin, Vladimir, Kara, Murza, … Prigozhin, CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Candace Rondeaux, Rondeaux, it’s, ” Rondeaux, Mateusz Morawiecki, Morawiecki, ” Prigozhin, Sudan –, PMC Wagner, Mohamed Bazoum, Tatiana Stanovaya Organizations: CNN, Central African Republic, Kremlin, Amanpour, Putin’s, NATO, Polish, Wagner Group, PMC Wagner, PMC, Russian Foreign Ministry, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, Putin Locations: Russian, Moscow, Russia, Africa, St . Petersburg, Orchestra_W, United Kingdom, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, America, Prigozhin, Putin’s Russia, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Sudan, Libya, Niger, Putin Russia

CNN —President Joe Biden has decided that the headquarters of US Space Command will remain in Colorado and not move to Alabama, two US officials told CNN on Monday, reversing a decision by then-President Donald Trump. US Space Command, which is a joint command and separate from the US Space Force military branch, is currently housed in Colorado Springs, but the Air Force recommended near the end of Trump’s presidency that the command be moved to Huntsville, Alabama. Former Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett also chose Huntsville as the preferred location for SPACECOM headquarters in 2021. Colorado Springs is home to Peterson Space Force Base, previously known as Peterson Air Force Base. Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican from Colorado and chair of the House Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces, hailed Biden’s decision to keep Space Command headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, calling it “the most viable option” and the “best permanent home” for the military’s newest combatant command.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump ., Frank Kendall, Biden, Barbara Barrett, James Dickinson, Defense Lloyd Austin, Kendall, ”, Republican Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, SPACECOM, Tuberville’s, ” Tuberville, “, Katie Britt, Biden “ irresponsibly, yank, Robert Aderholt, Doug Lamborn Organizations: CNN, US Space Command, Donald Trump . US Space Command, US Space Force, Air Force, Huntsville , Alabama . Air Force, Force, Former Air Force, Huntsville, Space Command, Defense, of, Republican, The Department of Defense, Alabama, Department of Defense’s, ” Republican, Arsenal, Missile Defense Command, Colorado Springs, Peterson Space Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, House Armed, “, Associated Press, SPACECOM Locations: Colorado, Alabama, Colorado Springs, Huntsville , Alabama, SPACECOM, Huntsville

☆ 'Small group' of House Republicans bringing social issues into defense bill, U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks at a press briefing at the White House on Dec. 12, 2022. A "small group" of House Republicans have "essentially created a trap" by loading the National Defense Authorization Act with a wide array of domestic-focused amendments, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said Sunday. "This should be an area where politics stops and national security starts." Sullivan was referring to myriad amendments put forward by House Republicans. Those include efforts that would end various diversity initiatives within the Defense Department, would limit active-duty transgender servicemembers from accessing gender-affirming care, and perhaps most controversially, would prevent the Defense Department from reimbursing or paying for abortion-related expenses for active-duty servicemembers.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Sullivan Organizations: White House, White, House Republicans, Defense, Defense Department, Department of Defense, Senate, Democratic Locations: U.S

☆ State Department review of 2021 Afghanistan evacuation critical of Biden, Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Jonathan Landay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Victor Mancilla/Handout via... Read moreWASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) - A U.S. State Department report on Friay criticized the handling of the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan, saying decisions by President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump to withdraw troops had "serious consequences for the viability" and security of the former U.S.-backed government. The review, and a similar Pentagon study, contributed to a report released by the White House in April. But the State Department review's critical findings were not reflected in the White House report.cWhite House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended Biden's handling of the Afghan pullout. "I can't speak to that internal coordination piece and how the administration settled on the core conclusions that it presented" in April, a senior State Department official said. The review said State Department planning for the evacuation "was hindered" because it was "unclear" which senior official "had the lead."

Persons: Victor Mancilla, Read, Friay, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Antony Blinken, Karine Jean, Pierre, Biden's, Steven Cheung, Afghanistan — Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Jonathan Landay, Steve Holland, Grant McCool, Alistair Bell Organizations: U.S, Marines, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Evacuation Control Center, Hamid, Airport, . Marine Corps, Staff, U.S . State Department, State, White House, State Department, United, Trump, American, Department, Thomson Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, WASHINGTON, U.S, United States, State

☆ The US military is so worried about generic pills that it reportedly wants to do its own testing to make sure they're safe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Lydia Ramsey Pflanzer | Zachary Tracer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US military is planning to independently test the quality of generic drugs, Bloomberg reported. The quality of the US drug supply has come into question amid recalls of medications like metformin. The US military is reportedly planning to take extra steps to test the quality of the generic drugs it buys for servicemembers and their families. Bloomberg reported in May that the White House has assembled a team to tackle shortages and quality issues with generic medications. "I have family who take generic drugs, I take generic drugs," he said, adding, "I don't get concerned and I don't tell them to be concerned."

Persons: Anna Edney, Riley Griffin, Valisure, David Light, Jeremy Kahn, Mike Ganio, ASHP Organizations: Bloomberg, FDA, Morning, servicemembers, Department of Defense, White, DOD, Food and Drug Administration, American Society of Health, System

A typical in-state four-year degree is around $100,000 on average, but there are ways to make it cheaper. Dual enrollment, in-state schools, and community college will all be cheaper than many expensive options. Experts have six tips for paying less in tuition, fees and other higher education expenses this year. Earn college credits in high schoolCollege consultant Chad Dorman of Leonard Andrew Consulting says that, in many cases, high school students can earn college credit via dual enrollment. This is especially true if community colleges in your area have reciprocity agreements with nearby four-year schools.

☆ Millions of student-loan borrowers would be forced into 'abrupt and unplanned repayment' if Republicans' plan to overturn Biden's debt cancellation gets passed, 261 advocacy groups tell Congress
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The House could likely take a first vote this week on a bill that would overturn student-debt relief. 261 advocacy groups urged congressional leaders on Monday to ensure that doesn't happen. They said the bill could force borrowers into an "abrupt" return to repayment and block targeted relief. "It will also force the Department of Education to unwind loans forgiven under Public Service Loan Forgiveness for first responders, nurses, educators, servicemembers, and hundreds of thousands of other public service workers across the country," they continued. Along with the CRA, McCarthy's bill to raise the debt ceiling — which passed the House two weeks ago — had spending cuts attached that included banning student-loan forgiveness.

☆ Jack Teixeira: Accused Pentagon leaker's violent rhetoric raises fresh questions about top secret vetting process
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Natasha Bertrand Sean Lyngaas Zachary Cohen Haley Britzky | Natasha Bertrand | Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

But that didn’t stop the Pentagon from granting a top-secret security clearance to Jack Teixeira, who prosecutors say had an arsenal of weapons at home and a history of violent online rhetoric. And the Air Force’s Inspector General investigation is specifically examining the Pentagon’s vetting process and whether any procedures were violated or ignored, Pentagon officials said. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters on Thursday that when vetting someone for a security clearance, the adjudicator examines “a sufficient period” in someone’s life to determine if they are eligible. That program – largely run by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) – aims to continuously vet security clearance holders for warning signs than periodically investigate them every five to 10 years. “Social media is a new world that the government really hasn’t gotten ahold of yet,” said Brad Moss, a lawyer who specializes in national security and security clearance law.

☆ Discord users say Jack Teixeira only leaked documents to show off. That's a problem for the US military, which uses the app as a conduit for recruitment: reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old airman, was accused of leaking US intelligence documents on Discord. The US military uses Discord to recruit young people who are enthusiastic about video games. Jack Teixeira, a 21-year-old junior-ranking US National Guard airman, was arrested on Thursday in connection to the leak of classified Pentagon documents. Some Republicans — most prominently Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene — have hailed Teixeira as a national hero, but members of Thug Shaker Central said otherwise. A spokesperson for Discord and the Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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