DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Airlines cancel more than 1,100 flights as Nor'easter winter storm strikes
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

More than 1,000 flights have been canceled as a winter storm hits the Northeast. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAir passengers are facing severe disruption on Tuesday as the Northeast is hit by a strong winter storm. More than 1,100 flights have been canceled across the US as of 7:30 a.m. AdvertisementIf your flight is canceled then you're entitled to a full refund, but there isn't always compensation for delays.

Persons: —, It's, isn't Organizations: Service, New York Times, National Weather Service, JetBlue, Republic Airways, American, FAA, Ireland, Ryanair Locations: Boston, New York City, Southwest, Paris, Dublin, France, Indiana

Up to 8/10 cardholders who asked for a lower interest rate in the past have reported success. Negotiating with Your LendersRequest a Lower Interest RateContact your lenders or credit card issuers to request a lower interest rate, especially if you have a history of on-time payments or an improved credit score. Consolidating DebtDebt consolidation can simplify your finances and potentially lower your overall interest rate if you can secure a consolidation loan at a lower rate than your existing debts. FAQsWill refinancing my loan always result in a lower interest rate? While your existing loans' rates are typically fixed, improving your credit score can position you better for refinancing at a lower rate or negotiating lower rates on future loans or credit lines.

Persons: cardholders, you've Organizations: Chevron Locations: autopay

DETROIT (AP) — The New York Knicks picked up some needed scoring punch Thursday, acquiring Alex Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks sent Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono and two second-round picks to the Pistons in the deal before the NBA's trade deadline. They found it in Burks, who played well in a previous stint for the Knicks, and Bogdanovic, a reliable outside shooter. Bogdanovic is averaging 20.2 points and shooting 41.5% from 3-point range. The Pistons, who have the worst record in the league, were busy ahead of the trade deadline.

Persons: Alex Burks, Bojan Bogdanovic, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn, Ryan Arcidiacono, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Burks, ”, Leon Rose, Bogdanovic, “ Alec, Anunoby, Grimes —, Fournier, Simone Fontecchio, Kevin Knox II, Gabriele Procida, Killian Hayes, Hayes, didn't, Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser, Brian Mahoney, ___ Organizations: DETROIT, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Knicks, Pistons, Anunoby, NBA, ” Knicks, Eastern Conference, Boston, The Pistons, Utah Jazz, Associated Press, Detroit Locations: Toronto, Detroit's, Sacramento, Bogdanovic, Cleveland, Milwaukee, New York

☆ Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman to launch a NYSE-listed fund for regular investors
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Bill Ackman, Pershing Square Capital Management CEO, speaking at the Delivering Alpha conference in New York City on Sept. 28, 2023. The hedge fund billionaire is planning to launch a closed end fund, investing in 12 to 24 large-cap, investment grade, "durable growth" companies in North America, according to a regulatory filing. Ackman is waiving the management fee for the first 12 months and after the first year will charge a flat 2% fee. Ackman has become one of the world's most prominent hedge fund investors after years of market-topping returns and vocal activist campaigns. The popular investor's hedge fund held only seven stocks at the end of 2023, including Alphabet , Chipotle Mexican Grill and Howard Hughes Corporation.

Persons: Bill Ackman, Pershing, Ackman Organizations: Pershing, Capital Management, Delivering Alpha, New York Stock Exchange, Grill, Howard Hughes Corporation, CNBC PRO Locations: New York City, North America

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Actor Alec Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer during a rehearsal on a movie set in New Mexico. Court documents filed Wednesday show Baldwin entered the plea in state district court in Santa Fe, waiving an arraignment Thursday that was scheduled to take place remotely by video conference. Baldwin, the lead actor and a co-producer on the Western movie “Rust,” was pointing a gun at cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal outside Santa Fe in October 2021 when the gun went off, killing her and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin says that he pulled back the hammer, but not the trigger, and the gun fired. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Persons: Alec Baldwin, Baldwin, waiving, ”, Halyna Hutchins, Joel Souza Organizations: SANTA FE, Associated Press Locations: SANTA, New Mexico, Santa Fe

☆ Democratic Senate candidate Tammy Murphy backs removing filibuster after saying she hadn't 'given it much thought'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewTammy Murphy, a leading Democratic candidate for Senate in New Jersey, is endorsing the removal of the Senate's "filibuster" rule. Under Senate "filibuster" rules, 60 votes are required to advance most legislation. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday about whether he supports removing the filibuster. AdvertisementIn 2021 and 2022, Democratic opposition to the came to a fiery head, with Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and then-Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona staunchly opposing changes to the rule.

Persons: —, Tammy Murphy, Tammy, Alex Altman, Murphy —, Phil Murphy —, Murphy, Andy Kim, Sen, Bob Menendez, Kim, It's, Democratic Sen, Joe Manchin, Kyrsten, Roe, Wade, Manchin Organizations: Service, Democratic, Senate, Business, New York Magazine, Rep, Democratic Senate, White, American, Infrastructure Law, Communities, Republican Locations: New Jersey, West Virginia, Arizona, Ohio, Montana

The overall personal consumption expenditures price index rose 2% for the month, as did the core index that omits food and energy costs. On an annual basis, the overall index remained unchanged at 2.6% while the core fell to 2.9% from 3.2% in November. The rise in the core index was the slowest since the spring of 2021. The core index is often cited by Fed officials as their barometer for inflation. “The meeting statement is likely to drop the hawkish bias from its forward guidance, but stop short of signaling rate cuts.

Persons: ”, Robert Frick, “, Lydia Boussour, Jerome Powell, Jeremy Schwartz, Ruchir Sharma Organizations: Federal, Economic, Fed, Navy Federal Credit Union, Federal Reserve, Reserve, Nomura Securities, Nomura, Aichi Amemiya

☆ Mandatory retirement ages for boards and CEOs. What you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Boards are most likely to have mandatory retirement age policiesHaving a mandatory retirement policy for board members is up to the discretion of individual companies. “In 2023, 69% of [S&P 500] boards reported having a mandatory retirement policy — down one point from 2022,” according to an August 2023 report from executive search firm Spencer Stuart. Many other public safety occupations do have mandatory retirement ages. The whys behind mandatory retirement agesThere may be varied stated reasons for having a mandatory retirement age, such as opening up the pipeline for younger talent to have more opportunities. For that reason, advocates for older workers, like the AARP, contend all mandatory retirement ages should be eliminated, even for demanding jobs involving public safety.

Persons: Al Gore, Russell, —, Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett, Spencer Stuart, ”, Matteo Tonello, Tonnello, Tonello, Brian Cornell, Dave Calhoun, Thomas McKinney, McKinney, “, Mary O’Neill, ” O’Neill Organizations: New, New York CNN, Former, Berkshire, Conference Board, Corporate America, The Conference Board, Boeing, American College of Surgeons, Capitol Police, U.S ., Personnel Management, Commission, AARP Locations: New York, Corporate America, Corporate, Calhoun, Castronovo, McKinney, , New Jersey, —, Federal, New York State

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. (AP) — Some local residents and an animal-rights group are protesting plans for a monkey-breeding facility in southwest Georgia. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Bainbridge facility would provide a domestic source of monkeys to offset imports, the company said. “PETA urges Bainbridge officials to withdraw their support and shut down this project before a shovel hits the dirt," she wrote. The company and local officials said the nonprofit and community's concerns are baseless. Local officials in December agreed to property tax breaks for the project — waiving them for the first 10 years and then gradually decreasing tax breaks until they end after 20 years.

Persons: didn’t, Charles River, we’d, ” Ted Lee, Lisa Jones, Engel, ” Jones, Bainbridge, Rick McCaskill, ” McCaskill Organizations: Council, Medicine, Charles River Laboratories, PETA, Development Authority of, Local Locations: BAINBRIDGE, Ga, Georgia, Bainbridge, Cambodia, Brazoria County , Texas, Houston, U.S, Development Authority of Bainbridge & Decatur County

☆ Ark Invest president says bitcoin is now a 'public good' that all investors should have access to
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Brendan McDermid | ReutersArk Invest President and COO Tom Staudt believes bitcoin is now a "public good" to which all investors should have access, as the company launches its first bitcoin exchange-traded fund. watch nowThe ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF is one of six initially waiving fees, alongside the Bitwise Bitcoin ETF, the Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Trust, the WisdomTree Bitcoin Fund, the Invesco Galaxy Bitcoin ETF and the Valkyrie Bitcoin Fund. "This is a new asset class. We haven't had a new asset class for financial portfolio allocation in quite some time, and with a new asset class comes lower correlation to the other asset classes previously allocated to." Bitcoin was trading at around $47,300 on Thursday morning , according to Coin Metrics, and the SEC's decision has many analysts bullish about newly unlocked potential for massive gains.

Persons: Cathie Wood, Brendan McDermid, Tom Staudt, bitcoin, BlackRock's, Staudt, CNBC's, 21Shares, Bitcoin, haven't, bullish Organizations: Ark Invest, CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, Reuters, Invest, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Fidelity, Bitcoin, Galaxy, U.S, Metrics Locations: New York City, U.S

☆ States have been eliminating taxes on period products for years. Here’s where you'll still pay them.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Aria Bendix | Joe Murphy | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Texas was the most recent: Since September, there has been no state sales tax on period products there. Over the last four decades, states with sales tax have been enacting laws that eliminate such taxes on menstrual products. Most states don't tax certain essential goods, such as grocery store produce, canned food and prescription medicines. "It's like, 'Do I spend money on gas to get to school or do I buy period products? In the future, states might also consider bills that make period products free in public restrooms, she added.

Persons: Lacey Gero, We've, Lisa Willner, bode, Jhumka Gupta, Gero, Willner, that's Organizations: Republican, Democrat, Alliance, George Mason University, Kentucky, D.C Locations: Alaska , Delaware , Montana , New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Washington, U.S, Alabama, Arizona , Michigan, New Mexico , New Jersey, Ohio, Ann Arbor , Michigan

☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

Persons: you’d, Tengguo Wu, Gabriele Thielmann, Turkey's, Gary Ennis, Matevz, Bill Bachman, Christian Kober, Gonzalo Azumendi, David ChiaFF, Pavel Tochinsky, Terry Kelly, Raul Rodriguez, iStock, Anton Petrus, –, — Karla Cripps Turkey’s, — Barry Neild, Mana Kaasik, — Maureen O’Hare, — Maggie Hiufu Wong, Deb Snelson, Glen Arbor, Marnie Hunter, — Forrest Brown, — Forrest Brown Angola Cristo, Eric Lafforgue, it’s, King, Eric Carr, John’s, Saint John, New Brunswick —, —, Tuul, Bruno Morandi, — Julia Buckley, Groenewald, Alamy, — Lilit Marcus, Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon, — JB, Bogdan Lazar, — Tamara Hardingham, Gill, Hercules, Francesca, Lazarus, ”, David Casanova, Megan Sequeira Casanova, “, Kuka y Naranjo, medina, Gordon Sinclair, Yvette Cardozo, — FB, Pierce Ingram, Stefan Tomic, Fujairah, who’ve, Samarkand —, It’s Organizations: CNN, United, CNN Travel, Getty Images, Town, Getty, Northwest, Saint, New Brunswick Tourism, UNESCO, Heritage, Alamy, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, Galicia, Tercera Orden, Parque, Bank, Wakulla Springs, Texas, United Arab Emirates, AP, Rock, of Culture, Estonian National Museum, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest Michigan, Bear, Farm, Riders, Lubango, — BN Saint John, Canada Tourists, St, Saint John City Market, Historic, Saint John Arts Centre, Carnegie, Carnegie Library, — KC, Korea, Folk, Netflix, South Korea, Adriatic, Nacional Glaciares, Australian Sea Lions, Panama, Spain Santiago de, Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Islas, Camino, Mexico People, YouTube, US State Department, Morocco, Regis Hotels, Resorts, — FB Texas, Travel Texas, Krause, Gruene, Fujairah, Icefjord, FS, Tuul, ” Locations: United States, Sumba, Indonesia Sumba, Indonesia, Bali, Getty Images Tartu, Estonia, Tartu —, European, Tainan, Taiwan, Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Lake Michigan, iStockphoto, Western Balkans, Culebra , Puerto Rico, Flamenco, Culebra, cdwheatley, Angola, Luanda, , New Brunswick, Fundy, New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tourism South Korea, Korea Albania, Albania, Chile, mauritius, Western Australia, Greece, Macedonia, American, Panama, Spain, Camino, Santiago, St, John's, Mexico, Parque Hidalgo, Morocco, Meknes, Florida, Spicewood, Anton, Greenland, Denmark, AP Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Indonesian, Sumela, Turkey's, — Barry Neild Tartu, Estonia Tartu, of Culture Tartu, Tartu, “, Baltics, — Maureen O’Hare Tainan, Taiwan Tainan, Taipei, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest, Lake, Traverse, Leland, Glen, perusing, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, transdinarica.com, —, Puerto Rico, It’s, — Forrest Brown Angola, Lubango, Barra, Cabo Ledo, — BN Saint John , New Brunswick, Canada, Hopewell, Newfoundland, Saint, Canada’s, Korea Andong, South Korea, Sanga, Korea, Seoul, Busan, Andong, Albania Albania, Berat, Montenegro, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, — Julia Buckley Chile, Atacama, Patagonia, Coral Coast, Geraldton, — Lilit Marcus Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece's, Hemis, Athens, Vergina, Veria, Naousa, Greece’s, Thrace, Philippi, Kavala, Panama . Panama City, Gill Galicia, Spain Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Galicia’s, Santiago de Compostela, Cabo, Fisterra, Galicia —, Singapore, John’s, Paseo, Montejo, Mérida, Yucatán, getaways, there’s, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Resorts Morocco, Wakulla, Ginnie, Fredericksburg, Texas, Marble Falls, Meanderers, New Braunfels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Wadi, Nuuk, Ilulissat, West, FS Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, China, India, Khiva, Uzbek, Sentob, Tashkent

☆ City officials in Brazil unanimously voted to pass a bill that was secretly written by ChatGPT in just 15 seconds
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A city in Brazil unanimously passed a bill entirely drafted by ChatGPT. The sponsor told BI that he kept the AI component secret to ensure the bill actually got voted on. AdvertisementA bill about water meters that a Brazilian city council unanimously voted to pass in October was revealed to have been entirely written by ChatGPT, its sponsor disclosed last week in an X post. Rosário told The Post that this experiment was performed to bring about "the debate surrounding the beginning of a great technological revolution." Last Wednesday, when was revealed that ChatGPT formulated the bill, it was met with skepticism by the city council's president.

Persons: ChatGPT, —, Ramiro Rosário, OpenAI's chatbot, Rosário, wasn't, Hamilton Sossmeier, Sossmeier Organizations: Service, The Washington Post, Post, OpenAI, Sewage Department, Associated Press, AP Locations: Brazil, Porto Alegre, The

☆ These student-loan borrowers could qualify for up to $20,000 in debt cancellation through Biden's second attempt at relief
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Education Department released new details on its second attempt at debt relief. On Monday, the Education Department released updated regulatory text for its proposal to cancel student debt using the Higher Education Act of 1965. Advertisement"Student loans are supposed to be a bridge to a better life, not a life sentence of endless debt," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. AdvertisementWhile this plan for relief is more narrow than Biden's first attempt, many borrowers experiencing different forms of hardship hope they'll qualify. "I have to pay for my wife's car, plus food, plus utilities, plus the mortgage, plus the car payment," one 63-year-old borrower previously told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden's, Miguel Cardona, who've, There's Organizations: Education Department, Service, Higher, Public, Department

What Biden is asking forBiden's emergency request to Congress included aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, along with $14 billion to bolster the immigration system and border security. “It is unanimous that our broken immigration system is in dire need of reform,” Mayorkas said. Republicans have made clear that will not be addressed in this package, which they want to be more narrowly focused on border security measures. Republicans argue that Ukraine aid could be a tough sell to some of their voters, and the border policy is the compromise. It’s border security for Ukraine aid.”So far, leaders in both parties have encouraged the talks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten, ”, Pramila, Biden, Donald Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, ” Mayorkas, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, What's, Barack Obama, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, ” Murphy, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republicans, House Democrats, Republican, Democratic, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Infrastructure, Homeland, U.S, Democrats, Trump, House Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, United States, Arizona, Washington, Venezuela, Israel, Russia, Illinois, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arkansas

☆ October home sales fell because of high mortgage rates, soaring prices and low inventory
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Anna Bahney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Sales slumped in October and prices continued to climb, as mortgage rates surged last month and inventory remained extraordinarily low. Home sales remained at 13-year lows as buyers competed for the few available homes on the market and continued to push up prices. Elevated prices, together with the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage nearing 8% in October, have created the least affordable market in several decades. Home sales were down in lower priced categories – under $750,000 – due to lack of inventory and sales grew in higher price categories where there was more inventory. “The lack of inventory and higher interest rates really hitting the home sales market,” said Yun.

Persons: —, ”, Lawrence Yun, Yun, “ Organizations: DC CNN —, National Association of Realtors, West, NAR, “ Locations: Washington, Northeast, Midwest, South

Tim Boyle will be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback against the Miami Dolphins on Friday, two people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Wilson and the Jets’ offense have struggled mightily this season, and coach Robert Saleh pulled the 2021 No. New York went 0 for 11 on third down, but went 4 for 5 on fourth down against Buffalo. The Jets scored their first touchdown on offense since Oct. 29 on their only trip inside the Bills 20 on Sunday. Boyle was signed by Chicago off Detroit’s practice squad in November 2022 and spent the rest of the season with the Bears.

Persons: Tim Boyle, Boyle, Zach Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Achilles, hasn't, Wilson, Robert Saleh, Wilson —, ” Wilson, Michael Carter, Jeremy Ruckert, Israel Abanikanda, Xavier Gipson, Jason Brownlee, Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers, Trevor Siemian, Tim, ” Saleh, “, ___ Organizations: New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Associated Press, NFL, Detroit Lions, NFL Network, Jets, Buffalo, AFC East, Dolphins, Black, Israel, New York, The Jets, Detroit, Lions, Chicago, Bears Locations: New York, New, Eastern Kentucky, Green Bay

REUTERS/Jason Lee/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Nov 15 (Reuters) - European firms "urgently" need China to give clearer definitions of key terms in its cross-border data transfer rules, a European business lobby group said on Wednesday, warning that firms also stood to waste millions of euros storing non-sensitive data in China. The world's second-largest economy has in recent years tightened its data laws amid President Xi Jinping's increased focus on national security, and foreign firms fear their lack of clarity could trip them up. The chamber's report echoes recent comments from a European Commission official, who said in September that European businesses were especially concerned about a lack of clarity in China's data laws. The most common type of data European firms transfer abroad is employee's personal information followed by suppliers' and customers' personal information, the survey showed, 96% of which is sent to companies' headquarters and other regional offices. A third of companies indicated it would cost them "several million euros" to store their data in China if they failed the cross-border transfer security assessment now required by CAC.

Persons: Jason Lee, Xi Jinping's, Brenda Goh, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Chamber of Commerce, European Commission, Government, CAC, Thomson Locations: China, EU, Beijing, Rights BEIJING

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers will have the final call on whether he plays again this season for the New York Jets — if and when he gets medical clearance. “Aaron’s a big boy, a grown man, and no one’s going to know Aaron’s body like Aaron knows his body,” Saleh said. Rodgers, who turns 40 on Dec. 2, has repeatedly said his goal is to return late this season. “If I have a great week this week and next week, that could be accelerated,” he said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday. “And I think Aaron’s just icing on the cake.”A return this season by Rodgers would be unprecedented in terms of recovery time.

Persons: — Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh, Achilles, “, Aaron, ” Saleh, Rodgers, NBC’s Melissa Stark, ”, Pat McAfee, we’re, Zach Wilson, waiving, Michael Carter, Saleh, Israel Abanikanda, Carter “, It’s, it's, Kenny Yeboah, Tanzel Smart, DB Craig James, ___ Organizations: New York Jets, Wednesday, Jets, Raiders, Miami, Washington, Cleveland, AFC East, Buffalo, ., Atlanta, Houston, Sunday, The Jets Locations: FLORHAM, N.J, Las Vegas, . New York, York, New York, Los Angeles

☆ How Millions of Borrowers Got $127 Billion in Student Loans Canceled
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Stacy Cowley | More About Stacy Cowley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s $400 billion plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for 43 million borrowers, the prospect of substantive debt relief appeared to vanish. But then millions of borrowers received surprise notices that their federal student loans were being eliminated through other government relief programs. The Biden administration has wiped out loans totaling $127 billion for 3.6 million borrowers — the biggest wave of student debt cancellation since the government began backing educational loans more than 60 years ago. The Education Department is the largest lender for Americans who borrow for higher education, and 43 million borrowers currently owe the government $1.6 trillion. Here are the four largest programs being used to eliminate loan debts — and how five borrowers benefited from them.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden Organizations: The Education Department, Education Department, —

☆ Taylor Swift's postponed Argentina show prompts airline to waive flight-change fees
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Like hurricanes, blizzards or wildfires, Taylor Swift is now prompting an airline to waive ticket-change fees. The Chie-based carrier said it is waiving both ticket-change fees and differences in fare if travelers can fly anytime until Nov. 17 after Swift's show at Argentina's largest stadium was postponed. Some customers complained to LATAM on social media, however, that they were having trouble finding seats and that the carrier told them about the waiver too late. The airline didn't immediately comment on whether it is adding additional flights. While it might be a new era for airline waivers, The Eras Tour has impacted other industries like hotels.

Persons: Taylor Swift, popstar Organizations: LATAM Airlines, Airlines, CES, CNBC Locations: Chile, South America, Buenos Aires, Argentina's

☆ Oregon Latest State to Scale Back High School Graduation Tests. Others May Follow.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Matt Barnum | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Oregon will pause its proficiency requirement for high-school students to graduate through 2028. Photo: BRIAN HAYES/STATESMAN JOURNAL/USA TODAY NETWORKStudents in Oregon will continue to graduate high school without passing an exam or submitting work samples in core subjects, the result of a recent decision that critics say is watering down standards. Leading up to the state board of education meeting last month in Salem, Ore., where board members voted unanimously in favor of waiving the requirement, comments poured in—nearly all of them critical of the graduation proposal.

Persons: BRIAN HAYES Locations: Oregon, Salem, Ore, —

☆ Biden would veto bid to reverse 'Buy America' EV charging waiver
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

ET (1030 GMT), would have the effect of eliminating entirely the domestic manufacturing requirement for government-funded electric vehicle (EV) chargers "thereby harming domestic manufacturing and American jobs." The White House said the Republican bill to rescind that waiver would also overturn the FHWA decision to impose Buy America rules on EV chargers. As a result, the 1983 Reagan administration decision to exempt manufactured products from Buy America requirements would again apply, meaning EV chargers would not be covered by any Buy America requirements, the White House said. Republican Senator Marco Rubio challenged the White House argument, arguing they would separately rescind the 1983 waiver at any time. "The Biden administration is waiving the law’s ‘Buy America, Build America’ provision, which means they are directing taxpayer dollars toward foreign-made EV chargers," Rubio said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Reagan, Marco Rubio, Biden, Rubio, David Shepardson, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Amtrak, REUTERS, Rights, Republican, Federal Highway Administration, EV, Thomson Locations: Bear , Delaware, U.S, America, United States

ATLANTA (AP) — People in Georgia will keep paying no state taxes on gasoline and diesel, at least until state lawmakers start a special legislative session. Brian Kemp on Wednesday extended the fuel tax rollback of 31.2 cents per gallon of gasoline and 35 cents per gallon of diesel until Nov. 29. Georgia’s governor can suspend the collection of taxes during an emergency as long as state lawmakers approve it the next time they meet. Tax revenues fell about 3% in October even though some fuel taxes were still flowing into state coffers after Kemp's September action. Fuel taxes in Georgia largely fund roadbuilding.

Persons: Brian Kemp, That's, Kemp, Garrison Douglas, Joe Biden, ” Kemp, “ Organizations: ATLANTA, —, Republican Gov, Democratic, AAA Locations: Georgia, Texas

☆ Deposit delays: Fed tells banks to get customers help
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Federal Reserve officials are urging banks to work with customers hurt by ongoing deposit delays that have prevented some people from accessing their paychecks and other funds. The deposit delays are linked to a problem that emerged on Friday with the Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments system, causing headaches for consumers and employers. “The Federal Reserve encourages banks to work quickly to resolve issues for customers experiencing delays in receiving direct deposit payments as a result of operational issues at a private sector payments provider,” a Fed spokesman told CNN in a statement. Fed officials signaled they want banks to help customers by waiving overdraft or late fees. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau similarly told CNN on Monday that consumers “should not be penalized” by fees and penalties.

Persons: haven’t, waiving overdraft, JPMorgan Chase, Banks, Chase Organizations: New, New York CNN — Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve, CNN, Consumer Financial, JPMorgan, Fed, ACH Network, Bank of America, US Bank Locations: New York, United States, Wells Fargo

Search resuls for: "waiving"

25 mentions found