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[1/2] Venezuelan journalist Roland Carreno of the opposition party Popular Will is being greeted by family members and colleagues after he was released from prison, in Caracas, Venezuela October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Gonzalo Perez Acquire Licensing RightsCARACAS, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Five people jailed in Venezuela, including well-known opposition figures, have been released, the opposition said around midnight on Thursday, following a deal with the government of President Nicolas Maduro and Washington's demand that certain prisoners be freed. Three U.S. citizens are still wrongfully detained in Venezuela, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols said on Thursday. A U.S. State Department official said on Wednesday he expects movement in the near term on releases of wrongfully detained Americans. For years the opposition has urged the government to free over 200 people that human rights organization Foro Penal considers political prisoners.

Persons: Roland Carreno, Luis Gonzalo Perez, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Washington, Antony Blinken, Venezuela's, Gerardo Blyde, Juan Gonzalez, Jorge Rodriguez, Will, Juan Requesens, Blyde, Carreno, Maria Corina Machado, Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A, Nichols, Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore, Joseph Ryan Cristella, Hernandez, Cristella, Requesens, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Marianna Parraga, Natalia Siniawski, Julia Symmes Cobb, Inti Landauro, Deborah Kyvrikosaios, Barbara Lewis, Jonathan Oatis, Richard Chang, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Trump, Venezuelan, U.S, First, State Department, Reuters, United States, State, Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S . State Department, Foro Penal, Maduro, Thomson Locations: Venezuelan, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, Bolivarian Republic, Maduro's, Three U.S, Los Angeles, Texas, Colombia, U.S

Jordan's vote total of 199 was less than the 200 Republican votes he secured on Tuesday. "It's just painfully obvious that what a lot of our people want to do we can't do," said Republican Representative Steve Womack, who voted against Jordan. That idea has been floated by Republicans and Democrats, as well as two former Republican speakers, Newt Gingrich and John Boehner. He simply tells you straight up," Republican Representative Tom Cole said as he nominated Jordan for speaker ahead of the vote. Republicans who opposed Jordan voted for 10 different candidates, including Boehner and two others who no longer serve in Congress.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jordan, Donald Trump, Kevin McCarthy, McCarthy, It's, Steve Womack, Patrick McHenry, Mike Lawler, Newt Gingrich, John Boehner, Tom Emmer, Hakeem Jeffries, Jordan's, dissemble, Tom Cole, Kay Granger, Boehner, Trump, Joe Biden's, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, Susan Heavey, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Nick Zieminski, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S . House, Republicans, Republican, Democrats, U.S . Rep, Representatives, Democratic, REPUBLICAN, White, Senate, Jordan ., Committee, Thomson Locations: U.S, East, Ukraine, Washington, Jordan, Jordan . New, McHenry

Jordan secured just 200 Republican votes on Tuesday. "I don't think anybody in here on any issue of any substance would have to guess where Jim Jordan is going to stand. He simply tells you straight up," Republican Representative Tom Cole said as he nominated Jordan for speaker ahead of the vote. Potential candidates include Representative Tom Emmer, currently the No. 3 House Republican.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jordan, Patrick McHenry, Kevin McCarthy, We've, Let's, Newt Gingrich, John Boehner, Mike Kelly, McHenry, Hakeem Jeffries, Tom Emmer, Jordan's, dissemble, Tom Cole, Donald Trump, Boehner, Joe Biden's, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, Susan Heavey, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Grant McCool, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S . House, Republicans, Democrats, Republican, Democratic, U.S . Rep, Representatives, White, Senate, New, Committee, Biden, Thomson Locations: U.S, East, Ukraine, Jordan, Washington, McHenry

That temporary solution could also buy more time for Jordan to line up support for the job after that point. "I think it gets more and more difficult for him every day," said Republican Representative Mario Diaz-Balart, who opposes Jordan. Jordan, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, could be in trouble if more Republicans vote against him in a second ballot. At least one Republican who voted against him on Tuesday, Representative Doug LaMalfa, said he would vote for Jordan on the second ballot. 3 House Republican.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jordan, Patrick McHenry, We've, Let's, Mike Kelly, McHenry, Hakeem Jeffries, Kevin McCarthy, Mario Diaz, Balart, Newt Gingrich, John Boehner, Donald Trump, Tom Emmer, Read, McCarthy, Doug LaMalfa, Boehner, Joe Biden's, Kay Granger, Jordan's, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, Susan Heavey, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Grant McCool, Nick Zieminski Organizations: U.S . House, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, U.S . Rep, Representatives, CNBC, Caucus, Committee, Biden, White, Thomson Locations: U.S, East, Ukraine, Jordan, McHenry, Washington

The House is due to hold a second vote to fill the vacant speaker's chair when it convenes at 11 a.m. It is not clear whether Jordan, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, will fare better in a second vote. At least one Republican who voted against him on Tuesday, Representative Doug LaMalfa, said he would vote for Jordan on the second ballot. "He's the only viable candidate we have," Republican Representative Thomas Massie told reporters. Democrats, meanwhile, are pressing for a bipartisan compromise that could result in more powers for Republican Representative Patrick McHenry, who is acting as temporary speaker.

Persons: Jim Jordan, Jordan, Kevin McCarthy, Donald Trump, Doug LaMalfa, Ken Buck, Jordan's, Thomas Massie, Patrick McHenry, Hakeem Jeffries, John Boehner, Joe Biden's, David Morgan, Moira Warburton, Katharine Jackson, Makini Brice, Andy Sullivan, Scott Malone, Grant McCool Organizations: U.S . House, Republican, Republicans, New Republican, U.S . Rep, U.S, Capitol, Democratic, Caucus, Committee, Biden, White, Thomson Locations: U.S, East, Ukraine, Washington

☆ Exclusive: US easing Venezuela oil sanctions after election deal -official
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Matt Spetalnick | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023. The U.S. imposed tough sanctions on Venezuela to punish President Nicolas Maduro's government following his 2018 re-election, which the U.S. and other Western governments rejected as a sham. Since 2019, U.S. sanctions have banned state-run oil company PDVSA from exporting to its chosen markets. The official warned, however, that U.S. decisions on relaxed sanctions would depend on Maduro complying with the latest agreement and working toward free and fair elections. Some opposition figures told Reuters on Monday they doubt Maduro's administration will follow through on the election pledges.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Ebrahim Raisi, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Joe Biden's, Nicolas Maduro's, Biden, Donald Trump's, We're, Maria Corina Machado, Maduro, Matt Spetalnick, Marianna Parraga, Mayela Armas, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan, U.S . State Department, Reuters, U.S, EIA, Biden, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, U.S, Maduro, Caribbean, OPEC, The U.S, Barbados, BARBADOS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on a group of people and firms based in Iran, China, Hong Kong and Venezuela, tied to the development of Iran's ballistic missile and drone programs. The penalties come as the United Nations' restrictions on Iran missile-related activities under a Security Council Resolution are set to expire, as well as the E.U. A UAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle, commonly known as a drone. President Joe Biden's administration maintains that Iran is providing Russia with drones and materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow as President Vladimir Putin's government invades Ukraine. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, despite the release of five American detainees from Iran in September in exchange for the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Persons: Jaber Reihani, Brian Nelson, Joe Biden's, Vladimir Putin's, Raisi Organizations: WASHINGTON, United Nations, Treasury's, Foreign Assets, Islamic, Guard, Ministry of Defense, Armed Forces Logistics, Defense, General Assembly, U.S Locations: Iran, China, Hong Kong, Venezuela, United States, Treasury's, U.S, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Biden Mulls $60 Billion for Ukraine, $10 Billion for Israel in Funding Request - Source
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Patricia ZengerleWASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is considering $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine and $10 billion for Israel in a supplemental spending request he will send to Congress as soon as Friday, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday. Multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday that Biden was considering a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funding for efforts to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico. Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he was not aware of the $100 billion figure, except from news reports. He told a news conference he had heard that the administration was considering $10 billion for Israel. Several sources said on Wednesday that Biden has not settled on a final figure, and the breakdown has not been communicated to Congress.

Persons: Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Biden, Jim Risch, Patricia Zengerle, Nandita Bose, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Israel, Reuters, Wednesday, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Administration, U.S Locations: Ukraine, Washington, Israel, Taiwan, U.S, Mexico

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. Multiple sources familiar with the request told Reuters on Tuesday that Biden was considering a supplemental request of about $100 billion that would include defense aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as funding for efforts to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico. He told a news conference he had heard that the administration was considering $10 billion for Israel. Several sources said on Wednesday that Biden has not settled on a final figure, and the breakdown has not been communicated to Congress. Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Joe Biden's, Biden, Jim Risch, Patricia Zengerle, Nandita Bose, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Reuters, Wednesday, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, Administration, U.S, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Ukraine, Washington, Taiwan, U.S, Mexico

The Iranian and U.S. flags are seen printed on paper in this illustration taken January 27, 2022. Russia said on Tuesday that transfers of missile technology to Iran no longer needed Security Council approval as of Wednesday, when the U.N sanctions lapse, without saying whether it now planned to support Tehran's missile development. The U.S. effort to limit Iran's missile and drone programs comes amid renewed American criticism of Tehran for backing Hamas, which carried out an Oct. 7 rampage against communities in southern Israel in which at least 1,300 people died. Former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned that deal in 2018 and restored U.S. on Iran sanctions. U.S. officials have said that the funds now in Qatar can be spent by Iran only on humanitarian goods.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, George W, Bush's, Biden, Simon Lewis, Arshad Mohammed, Will Dunham Organizations: Iranian, REUTERS, Rights, United, Security, European Union, Former U.S, U.S, U.S . Treasury Department, State Department, Security Initiative, Republicans, Hamas, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Hong Kong, China, Venezuela, United States, Moscow, Ukraine, South Korea, Qatar, Washington, Saint Paul , Minnesota

☆ $3.4 million in student-debt cancellation is on the way for borrowers who went to a for-profit school that 'falsely' touted job placement rates, the FTC says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sollers will cancel $3.4 million in student debt for those who entered income-share agreements. The FTC said the school lied about job placement rates and employer partnerships. "Today's order cancels all income-share agreements issued by the school." This is not the first time a federal agency has raised red flags over income-share agreements. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently sued career bootcamp Prehired, accusing it of misrepresenting the nature of its income-share agreements with students.

Persons: Sollers, —, Joe Biden's, New Jersey —, Samuel Levine, Weill, Weill Cornell Medicine —, Aerotek, bootcamp Prehired, Prehired Organizations: FTC, Service, Federal Trade Commission, Sollers, Consumer, Sollers College, The Federal Trade Commission, Weill Cornell Medicine, Consumer Financial Protection Locations: New Jersey, FTC's, Sollers

☆ Ford says US fuel economy plan would cause automaker 'economic hardship'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) said on Wednesday a proposal by President Joe Biden's administration to hike vehicle fuel economy standards through 2032 threatens to cause "substantial economic hardship" for the No. The agency made the proposal as Biden's administration seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change and to reduce fuel use. The proposal would result in a fleet-wide average fuel efficiency of 58 miles (93 km) per gallon. "We see substantial risk of unprecedented civil penalties in the CAFE program," Ford said. It added that its proposal "is focused on saving Americans money at the gas pump and strengthening American energy independence."

Persons: Joe Biden's, Ford, Tesla, David Shepardson, Will Dunham Organizations: Ford Motor, NHTSA, American Automotive Policy Council, Detroit Three, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ US Targets Iran Missile, Drone Programs as UN Measures Lapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Russia said on Tuesday that transfers of missile technology to Iran no longer needed Security Council approval as of Wednesday, when the U.N sanctions lapse, without saying whether it now planned to support Tehran's missile development. The U.S. effort to limit Iran's missile and drone programs comes amid renewed criticism of Tehran for backing Hamas, which carried out an Oct. 7 cross-border rampage against communities in southern Israel in which at least 1,300 people died. The expiration of the U.N. sanctions falls under a "sunset" clause of the defunct 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which gave Tehran relief from American, European Union and U.N. sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear program. Former U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned that deal in 2018 and restored U.S. on Iran sanctions. The United States said it would level new sanctions against entities and individuals involved in Iran's missile, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and conventional arms industries.

Persons: Simon Lewis, Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON, Donald Trump, Joe Biden's, George W, Bush's, Arshad Mohammed Organizations: United, Security, European Union, Former U.S, U.S, State Department, Iranian, Security Initiative Locations: Russia, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Israel, United States, Venezuela, Moscow, Ukraine, Washington, Saint Paul, Minn

☆ Wall St ends mixed, US Treasury yields spike on robust data, solid earnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Stephen Culp | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., September 28, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Oct 17 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq dipped and benchmark U.S. Treasury yields surged on Tuesday as robust economic data and strong third-quarter earnings sugested the Federal Reserve may keep policy tight for longer than expected. Yields on two-year Treasury notes rose to 17-year highs with five-year yields at 16-year peaks. Emerging market stocks rose 0.48%. Benchmark Treasury yields spiked after the strong retail sales data led market participants to adjust their expectations regarding the duration of the central bank's tightening cycle.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Chip, Joe Biden's, Goldman Sachs, Thomas Martin, Martin, Biden, Brent, Stephen Culp, Selena Li, Alun John, Sharon Singleton, Cynthia Osterman, David Gregorio Our Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Nasdaq, Treasury, Federal Reserve, Dow, Semiconductor, SOX, Bank of America, Dow Jones, Japan's Nikkei, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, China, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Israel, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, London

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela June 12, 2023. It was not immediately known how soon the U.S. might act or how far it could go with sanctions relief. U.S. sources have also said any relaxation of sanctions would be reversible if Maduro fails to meet his election commitments. Maduro, president since 2013, is expected to run for re-election but has not yet formalized his candidacy. The U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela to punish Maduro's government following a 2018 election that Washington considered a sham.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Ebrahim Raisi, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Joe Biden's, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Jorge Rodriguez, Rodriguez, Gerardo Blyde, Machado, Maduro's, Washington, Deisy Buitrago, Vivian Sequera, Matt Spetalnick, Julia Symmes Cobb, Will Dunham, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union and United Nations, Reuters, U.S, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, WASHINGTON, U.S, Washington, Maduro, Barbados, Qatar, Houston

☆ Trump vows to strip student visas from 'anti-Semitic foreigners' at US colleges if he wins the 2024 election
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump said he would revoke student visas of "anti-Semitic foreigners" if he wins a second term. The war between Israel and Hamas has prompted calls to get humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. Last week, Israel officially declared war against Palestinian militant group Hamas after the group attacked several towns in southern Israel. "Under the Trump administration, we will revoke the student visas of radical anti-American and anti-Semitic foreigners at our colleges and universities and we will send them straight back home." "In the long run, the best way to aid the Palestinian people is for Hamas to be completely destroyed."

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Israel, Sen, Marco Rubio, Joe Biden, Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden's, Bill Ackman, wouldn't, Les Wexner, Jon Hunstman's, Biden, GOP Sen, Tom Cotton Organizations: Service, Palestinian, Hamas, Florida Gov, NYU, Harvard, Former Utah, University of Pennsylvania, Democratic, GOP, House Democrats Locations: Gaza, Israel, Iowa, Egypt, Palestine

[1/2] Parts of a ghost gun kit are on display at an event held by U.S. President Joe Biden to announce measures to fight ghost gun crime, at the White House in Washington U.S., April 11, 2022. The administration had said O'Connor's decision to grant an injunction favoring ghost gun kit makers despite the prior intervention by the justices "openly flouted" the Supreme Court's authority. The administration has said that ghost guns are attractive to criminals and others prohibited from lawfully buying firearms, including minors. There were about 20,000 suspected ghost guns reported in 2021 to the ATF as having been recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations - a tenfold increase from 2016, according to White House statistics. Plaintiffs including the parts manufacturers, various gun owners and two gun rights groups - the Firearms Policy Coalition and Second Amendment Foundation - filed suit to block the ghost guns rule in federal court in Texas.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Joe Biden's, Judge Reed O'Connor's, O'Connor, Sellers, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: U.S, White, REUTERS, Supreme, Blackhawk Manufacturing, Defense, Bureau, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, White House statistics, Firearms Policy Coalition, Gun Control, Circuit, Appeals, Thomson Locations: Washington U.S, Texas, Fort Worth, United States, New Orleans, New York

The negotiations, meant to provide a way out of Venezuela's long-running political and economic crisis, will take place in Barbados. The U.S. State Department celebrated the announcement of the return to talks but did not mention sanctions relief. Some members of the opposition said on Monday that they doubted Maduro would follow through on his promises. But with no substantial investment in Venezuela's oil sector for over a decade, any real oil output increase will take time, according to analysts. The return to talks between Maduro's government and the opposition was announced in a statement published by Norway, an observer.

Persons: Elvis Hidrobo Amoroso, Jesus Maria Casal, Venezuela's, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Nicolas Maduro, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump's, Maduro, Maria Corina Machado, Maurel, PDVSA, Maduro's, Washington, Biden, John Barrasso, Mayela Armas, Matt Spetalnick, Marianna Parraga, Julia Symmes Cobb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Electoral Council, Primary Commission, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . State Department, Reuters, U.S, Republican U.S, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Caracas, Venezuela, Rights CARACAS, WASHINGTON, HOUSTON, Washington, U.S, Maduro, Barbados, United States, Venezuelan, The U.S, Qatar, China, Russia, Cuba, Ukraine, OPEC, America, Norway, Houston

☆ US Supreme Court temporarily blocks order curbing Biden social media contacts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Andrew Chung | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday maintained a block on restrictions imposed by lower courts on the ability of President Joe Biden's administration to encourage social media companies to remove content deemed misinformation, including about elections and COVID-19. Conservative Justice Samuel Alito temporarily put on hold a preliminary injunction constraining how the White House and certain other federal officials communicate with social media platforms pending the administration's appeal to the Supreme Court. Alito first placed a temporary hold on the injunction pending the justices' review on Sept. 14. The Biden administration has argued that its officials did nothing illegal and had sought to mitigate the hazards of online misinformation, including about the pandemic, by alerting social media companies to content that violated their own policies. Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will DunhamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Joe Biden's, Samuel Alito, Alito, Biden, Terry Doughty, Doughty, Donald Trump, Andrew Chung, Will Dunham Organizations: White, REUTERS, U.S, Supreme, Conservative, Facebook, District, Democrat, Republican, FBI, CDC, Cybsecurity, Infrastructure Security Agency, Thomson Locations: Palestine, Israel, Washington , U.S, Missouri, Louisiana, New York

Microsoft, which owns the Xbox gaming system, closed its $69 billion deal to buy game-maker Activision Blizzard on Friday after fending off global opposition from antitrust regulators and rivals. It marks a career-defining moment for Spencer, who first joined Microsoft as an intern in 1988 and has helmed Xbox since 2014. When the companies announced a planned merger in January 2022, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella made clear it would be "critical for Activision Blizzard to drive forward” on its commitments to improve its workplace culture. As of late last year, Activision Blizzard had 13,000 employees, about 72% in North America, according to a regulatory filing. “It is a new day for workers at Activision Blizzard,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. in a statement Friday.

Persons: Phil Spencer, Spencer, “, ”, Gil Luria, Davidson, he’s, Bobby Kotick, who's, Kotick, Satya Nadella, Joe Biden's, ” Luria, George Jijiashvili, Elder, ” Jijiashvili, Claude Cummings Jr, ” Cummings Organizations: Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Activision, PlayStation, Sony, U.S . Federal Trade, ZeniMax Media, Bethesda Softworks, Communications Workers of America Locations: Southern California, U.S, United Kingdom, San Francisco, Bethesda, North America, Canada

The battle against junk fees is part of President Joe Biden's administration's effort to ease strains on voter pocketbooks as an election year approaches. Taking on "junk fees" gives Biden and his allies fodder to show they are helping people tackle costs as many Americans are dissatisfied with his economic stewardship. The administration has previously proposed a rule to require airlines to disclose fees upfront. The agency estimated the fees cost consumers tens of billions of dollars annually on items such as hotel resort fees. "These junk fees function as an invisible tax that quietly inflates prices across the economy," FTC Chair Lina Khan told reporters on a conference call.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Joe Biden's, Lina Khan, Diane Bartz, Jeff Mason, Douglas Gillison, Richard Chang Organizations: U.S, Fire Prevention, Eisenhower, White, REUTERS, Companies United, Democrat, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Consumer Financial, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Companies United States, America

The hubs are networks of hydrogen producers and consumers that will use local infrastructure to accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen. The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub that involves parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey will receive a $750 million grant, according to the sources familiar with the forthcoming announcement. The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) that includes western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia will also receive one of the grants, according to two sources. The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated up to $7 billion to launch the initiative, called the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, which will help fund six to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs across the U.S. Each of the proposed regional hub projects involve dozens of partners from energy companies, academia and local and state governments.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Biden, Joe Manchin, Valerie Volcovici, Jarrett Renshaw, Nick Zieminski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, Department of Energy, Pennsylvania, White House, Democratic, Energy Department, DOE, Dominion, Battelle, TC Energy, Thomson Locations: Pennsylvania, Appalachian, U.S, Delaware, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Ohio, West Virginia, California, Washington

☆ Biden approval near lowest of his term as immigration concerns rise -Reuters/Ipsos poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Jason Lange | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The three-day opinion poll, which ended on Sunday, showed 40% of respondents approved of Biden's performance as president, down marginally from 42% a month earlier. While the economy is the perennial top concern among U.S. voters, in October the share of poll respondents who rated "immigration" the No. That was the highest measure of concern about immigration since December 2019, when 15% of respondents cited it as their top concern. A separate Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in September found that a majority of Americans - 54% - agreed with the statement that "immigration is making life harder for native-born Americans." The Reuters/Ipsos poll gathered responses online from 1,029 adults, using a nationally representative sample.

Persons: Joe Biden, Leah Millis, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump, Trump, Jason Lange, Scott Malone, Grant McCool Organizations: Affordable, White, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Democrat, Republican, U.S . House, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Mexico, U.S

During the coronavirus pandemic, states were prohibited from removing people from Medicaid in exchange for receiving enhanced federal funding. States have 14 months to finish their backlog of eligibility reviews, according to guidelines from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Like in most states, many of those who lost Medicaid coverage in Arkansas were removed for procedural reasons, such as not returning renewal forms needed to verify their eligibility. People removed from Medicaid can regain coverage retroactively if they provide information proving their eligibility within 90 days. Arkansas' percentage decline in children covered by Medicaid ranks among the largest in the nation, Alker said.

Persons: ”, Joan Alker, Kristi Putnam, ” Putnam, Sarah Huckabee Sanders ’, Grant Tennille, “ It’s, ” Tennille, Tippi McCullough, ” McCullough, Joe Biden's, Alker, ___ Lieb Organizations: Republican, Georgetown University Center for Children, Medicare, Services, Arkansas Department of Human, Republican Gov, Arkansas Democratic, Medicaid, District of Columbia, Arkansas Locations: Arkansas, Jefferson City , Missouri

☆ A millennial paid off his $18,000 student debt load. 4 months later, the payment still hasn't processed and his balance is even bigger.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Xiong Chang made an $18,000 payment on his remaining student-loan balance in June. But it hasn't been processed yet, and his balance has grown due to interest. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. But it's been over four months since he made that payment, and it still is not reflected in his account. According to his account, his balance now stands at $19,019.44 — with $96 in accrued interest.

Persons: Xiong Chang, He's, —, it's, Xiong, Joe Biden's, Education James Kvaal, I've, MOHELA Organizations: Service, Education, Consumer Financial, Education Department, Federal Student Aid, Republicans

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