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Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —In a city silenced by gangs, everyone notices the thrum of a helicopter beating overhead in the night – a brief sign that someone very lucky has been able to leave Port-au-Prince. Boulevards that would ordinarily be packed with cars and vendors are empty, the city’s painted “tap tap” taxis rarely full. Haiti was thrown into crisis at the start of March, as gangs called for the resignation of Prime Minister Henry and his government. Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on March 15, 2024. On Monday, amid enormous pressure to do something to staunch the violence in Port-au-Prince, Henry did announce his resignation.

Persons: Haiti CNN —, Prince, Ariel Henry, Evelio Contreras, Jimmy Cherizier, Santo, ”, Henry, –, Haiti’s, Jovenel Moïse Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Kenyan, United Nations, CNN Haiti’s, Port, UN Security Council Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Haitian, Lower, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, United States, Kenya

☆ White House targets 'junk fees' on student loans and other higher education costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening students, including moving to end origination fees on student loans. While most private lenders have done away with student loan origination fees, the federal government still charges them. Federal student loan borrowers can face expenses of 1% to 4% of their total borrowing amount. The White House said on Friday it considers these "junk fees," which it defined as "hidden costs or surprise fees that companies and institutions include on customer or student bills, increasing their costs." "By eliminating origination fees on federal student loans, borrowers should be able to borrow less to cover their costs," said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Biden, Joe Biden's, Betsy Mayotte, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Federal, Consumer, The, Student Loan Advisors, Finance Locations: Culver City , CA, California

Port-au-Prince CNN —They have the calm of people who have lived through terrible things. As gangs rampage in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, several children and teenagers tell CNN they have been orphaned, wounded, raped and even recruited by members of these armed groups. Some are navigating life in neighborhoods ruled by gangs, doing their best to stay out of danger. Others work for the gangs, tasked with dangerous jobs such as spying on rival groups or the gory work of disposing of bodies. Meanwhile, across the country, many more children are going hungry, according to UNICEF, as food prices spike amid the insecurity.

Persons: Prince, Prince CNN —, Donald Saint Surin, Saint Surin, Woodjina, Jonel, hasn’t, ”, “, you’re, it’s, he’s, CNN’s Leinz Organizations: Prince CNN, CNN, UNICEF, OCCED’H, Organization, Hearts, ” Locations: Port, Jeremie, Shiloh, Martissant, Haiti, New York

Port-au-Prince, Haiti CNN —From above, Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince still looks serene, its white-washed homes climbing steep green hills that encircle a glittering bay. Police officers run holding their guns while confronting a gang in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 1, 2024. Haiti’s gangs were once seen as thuggish instruments for powerful politicians and business elites. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. Anger toward the government for Haiti’s gangs problem is misplaced, he also said, emphasizing that the government has limited options.

Persons: Toussaint, Prince, Ariel Henry, Haiti’s, “, ”, Jimmy “, Robin Hood, Ralph Tedy Erol, Henry, “ Ariel Henry, Haiti Ulrika Richardson, Kraze Barye, John Bosco, Jeremie, CNN’s, Ariel kraze peyi, Ariel, Jovenel Moise, Guy Philippe, Odric Octina, Johnson Sabin, Shutterstock, Simon Maina, Henry’s, Jean Junior Joseph, –, Leinz Vales, Sean Walker Organizations: Haiti CNN, CNN, Police, United Nations, FBI, Global, Transnational, UN, National Police, Haitian, Canadian Embassy, Catholic, St, Bank, ”, Haitian Environment, Penitentiary, Reuters, Haiti, Caricom, United States International University Africa, Getty, Kenyan, United Nations Security Council, United Locations: Prince, Haiti, Port, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Kenya, New York, Delmas, Cité, Kizito, Jeremie, farmworkers, United States, Canada, It’s, Haitian, West, Nairobi, AFP

☆ I ordered the same meal at Culver's and Kopp's. The smaller chain packed a mightier punch.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Sojourner White | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I love going to both Culver's and Kopp's. Kopp's has always been my favorite for frozen custard, but the sandwiches can be hit or miss. AdvertisementAs someone born and raised in the Midwest, I take my frozen custard, burgers, and fries seriously. It's an iconic combination of food that's perfect for any season around here, and where I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Culver's and Kopp's are the top two places to go for it. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Kopp's, — Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Milwaukee , Wisconsin, Midwest, Culver's

☆ After student loan forgiveness, the Education Dept. is sending some borrowers refunds. What to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

So far, almost 3.9 million borrowers have gotten their education debt erased, totaling $138 billion in relief . Under the U.S. Department of Education's income-driven repayment plans, student loan borrowers are entitled to get any of their remaining debt forgiven after 20 or 25 years. The companies earn a fee per borrower per month, which advocates say discourages transparency around loan forgiveness opportunities. "Loan servicers were not tracking the number of qualifying payments, and the automatic forgiveness was not occurring," Kantrowitz said. Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers, denied that the companies benefit by veering from the government's orders.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Mark Kantrowitz, servicers, Nadine Chabrier, Kantrowitz, he'd, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Biden, who've, Persis Yu Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Education Department, U.S . Department of Education, U.S . Department, Center for, Lending, The Education, Finance, IRS, Student Loan, Alliance, Student, Protection Locations: Culver City , California, U.S

"I'm thinking about marketing myself as a TikTok Shop creator," Jayy told BI in July. Outside its in-house team, TikTok also deputizes official third-party TikTok Shop agency partners to work with creators and merchants on e-commerce strategies. And the company offers advice to all affiliate creators on its website via its TikTok Shop Academy. Someone who is not popular or famous going on TikTok Shop and offering products, or someone who is very popular and famous now getting products?" "I think the shortest path to more volume through TikTok Shop is really that second group."

Persons: D'Amelio, TikTok, Remy Beaumont, it's, Joy Mangano, Beaumont, playbook, Rick Watson, Sharon Jayy, Jayy, Watson Organizations: Business, Shop, Z Media, intel, Training, RMW Commerce Consulting, TikTok Shop, Shop Academy Locations: London, China, Douyin, TikTok's Culver

☆ Nearly 153,000 people will be notified that their student loan debt is canceled
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Katie Lobosco | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Washington CNN —Nearly 153,000 student loan borrowers currently enrolled in a new repayment plan launched by the Biden administration are expected to get an email Wednesday notifying them that their remaining federal student loan debt will be canceled, totaling about $1.2 billion. Biden’s plans to provide student debt relief were dealt a significant blow when the Supreme Court rejected his signature student loan forgiveness program last year. Nearly $138 billion of federal student loan debt has been canceled for almost 3.9 million borrowers since Biden took office. Most of the federal student loan debt cancellations that have taken place under Biden have come through programs that existed before he took office. The PSLF program cancels outstanding federal student loan debt for public-sector workers who have made 120 qualifying monthly student loan payments, or about 10 years’ worth of payments.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Biden’s, “, ” Biden, he’s, Trump, Betsy DeVos, CNN’s Nikki Carvajal, Kevin Liptak Organizations: Washington CNN, Republican, Department of Education, SAVE, of Education, Office, PSLF, Corinthian Colleges, Social Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department, Education, Social Security Locations: Culver City , California

☆ Ecuador’s drug kingpin José Adolfo ‘Fito’ Macías lived ‘like a king’ while locked up. His jailbreak shines a light on the country’s lawless prisons
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Tara John | David Culver | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Macías’ prison cell is seen in these videos filmed by members of the military last year. Los Choneros and their main rival, Los Lobos, are believed to be allied with Mexican drug cartels in a war for dominance over Ecuador’s drug trade. Los Lobos saw an opening amid a violent power struggle in Los Choneros when Macías became its leader in 2020, say experts. In a music video shared online last year, the Los Choneros leader can be seen petting a rooster, apparently inside Guayaquil prison complex. But the press secretary of Ecuador’s president reckons the Los Choneros leader was told about an impending prison transfer.

Persons: José Adolfo Macías, Adolfo Macias, Fito, ”, Pablo Escobar, Macías, ” Jean Paul Pinto, Glaeldys, Julio Cesar Ballesteros, SNAI, Lenín Moreno, Ballesteros, Diana Salazar, “, ” Jeremy McDermott, it’s, Choneros, González, Mariachi Bravo, Macías ’, Michelle, Bravo, Fito ’, Daniel Noboa, Noboa, Patricia Bullrich, reckons, ” Roberto Izurieta, jailbreak, Fabricio Colón Pico, Ecuador’s Organizations: CNN, Ecuadorean, Forces, Ecuadorean Armed Forces, AFP, roosters, Prisons, Crisis, Los, Los Lobos, US Treasury Department, Ecuavisa, Marriott, Argentina’s, Argentine, Teleamazonas, Police Locations: La Regional, Colombian, Latin America, Ecuadorian, Ecuador, Colombia, SNAI, America, Americas, Los Lobos, Mexican, Choneros, Guayaquil, Guayaquil –, Argentine, Córdoba, Argentina, CNN Ecuador

☆ My 70-year-old grandma and I started dating at the same time. It brought us closer together.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Liz Brinks | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

We shared inside jokes about Grandpa's burial experience, watched Hallmark movies, and went through the Culver's drive-thru daily. I talked with Grandma about dating, being on dating apps, and the struggles of trying to meet people during the pandemic. We started dating at the same timeThat summer, between visits to my grandma, I met someone in Milwaukee, about 114 miles away from my apartment, and things steadily grew from first dates to weekly phone calls and beyond. I shared lots of updates with Grandma as we progressed from Tinder notifications to texts and pictures and voice memos. At the same time as me, my grandma had started seeing someone.

Persons: grandpa, —, Grandma, beau Organizations: Service, Hallmark, Wisconsin Badger Locations: Milwaukee

☆ Ecuador: As terror grips the streets, even the armed forces live in fear
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( David Culver | Abel Alvarado | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Suddenly, residents, including Camille and Diego, found themselves seeking a safe place for themselves and their loved ones. Ecuadorean Police/Handout via ReutersHours after terror broke out in Guayaquil, President Daniel Noboa took an unprecedented step. Noboa, who had only been inaugurated two months earlier, declared an “internal armed conflict” in the country and ordered Ecuador’s armed forces to “neutralize” the members of more than 20 gangs, which he labeled as terror groups. Since then, Ecuador’s national police and armed forces have been carrying out raids of homes of those with suspected ties to terror groups. Experts warn that Ecuador’s terror groups are aligned with a wider criminal network, including the notorious Sinaloa Cartel out of Mexico, complicating Noboa’s attempts to “neutralize” criminal groups operating within his borders.

Persons: Ecuador CNN — Camille Gamarra, Diego Gallardo, Camille, Diego, “, ’ ” Camille, ” Camille, – José Adolfo Macías, ” –, Jose Adolfo Macias, Daniel Noboa, they’ve, ”, Jaime Vela Erazo, Fito, Sean Walker, Noboa, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, It’s, Carlos Jimenez, ” Jimenez, Jimenez, he’s, “ I’ve, I’ve, “ I’m, Noboa’s, Cesar Suarez Organizations: Ecuador CNN, Ecuadorean Police, Handout, Reuters, CNN, Joint Command, Ecuador’s Armed Forces, Colombian, RCN, Residents, TC Television Locations: Guayaquil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, United States, Europe, Sinaloa, Mexico, Aire, Golfo

☆ India's Zee Entertainment urges Sony to restore blockbuster merger, sues over termination
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Indian entertainment conglomerate Zee Entertainment on Wednesday said it urged Sony to revive their blockbuster entertainment merger and has sued the Japanese tech giant over the deal's termination. Sony earlier this week called of the transaction with Zee Entertainment, which is reported to be worth $10 billion. In a filing, Zee said it denies that Sony is entitled to call off the merger agreement and that its claim for a termination fee is "legally untenable and has no basis whatsoever." A merger of Zee with Sony's India subsidiary, Culver Max Entertainment Pvt. Sony would have gained access to Zee's local content, giving it a bigger footing in the lucrative Indian entertainment market.

Persons: Zee, Culver Max, BEPL, Punit Goenka, Arjun Kharpal Organizations: Zee Entertainment, Sony, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, Sony's, CNBC Wednesday, Culver, MCA, Company, Singapore International Arbitration Center, Zee, Culver Max Entertainment, Ltd, Bangla Entertainment, Disney, Reliance Industries Locations: India, Zee, Singapore, Sony's India

The pandas’ departure from the National Zoo leaves Zoo Atlanta as the only other US zoo to feature pandas from China, and not for much longer. First lady Pat Nixon welcomes China's giant pandas on April 20, 1972, at Washington's National Zoo. They have since become the parents of seven giant panda cubs born at Zoo Atlanta, according to the zoo. Staff at the National Zoo say they’re hopeful China might one day send over more giant pandas. Plans for the exhibit, with a welcome sign announcing the “Giant Pandas of Chengdu” and a panda-themed gift shop, aren’t clear.

Persons: Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, Xiao Qi Ji, Nixon, Mao Zedong, Richard Nixon, ”, Mao Ning, Richard Nixon’s, Mao Zedong’s, Pat Nixon, “, Hsing, YaYa, Xin Xin, David Culver, Fernando Gual Sill, CNN Xin Xin –, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Yang Yang, Lun Lun, Steve Schaefer, –, Bob Lee, Jane Mahalik, “ Pat Nixon, ” Mahalik, Jill Biden, Yong Xiong, Melissa Gray Organizations: CNN, Smithsonian National Zoo, ” Zoo, National Zoo, Zoo, AP China, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Washington, of Public Service, Memphis Zoo, Atlanta, Chapultepec Zoo, Pandas, Zoo Atlanta, Getty, Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Chengdu Research Base, Staff, National Locations: Washington ,, China, what’s, Zoo Atlanta, Beijing, United States, City of Peking, Washington, Atlanta, Russia, Mexico City, Chapultepec, Mexico, “, China’s, Moscow, Qatar, AFP, America, Zoo, Chengdu, New York, Los Angeles

☆ With threats on the rise, many American Jews are buying guns, seeking training
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Ashley Williams | Ashley R. Williams | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

A rise in American Jewish gun ownership would come as a noticeable shift for a group that is historically liberal and a majority of which are registered Democrats. A 2018 American Jewish Committee poll showed 70% of Jewish respondents thought it was more important to control gun ownership than to protect Americans’ rights to own guns. The US government does not keep official statistics on gun ownership, including demographic information. Research from industry groups like the National Shooting Sports Foundation break down gun ownership by race and gender but not by religious affiliation. The spike in violence and hateful rhetoric has evoked fears within the Jewish community of another Holocaust, according to Daniel.

Persons: – Dani, –, ” Dani, ”, “ Allahu akbar ”, Dani, Gene Petrino, CNN he’s, Petrino, he’s, “ I’m, ” Petrino, “, Mark K, ” Mark, they’ve, I’m, Mark, David, Daniel, it’s, who’s, He’d, ’ ” Daniel, “ What’s, ’, ” Daniel, he’ll, Tzvi Waldman, Waldman, ” Waldman, you’re, ” He’s, David Culver Organizations: CNN, Defamation League, Palestinian, Hamas, “, Jewish, Shooting, Pew Research, Jewish Federations of, Jewish Community Center, New York State Jewish Gun Club Locations: Piru , California, Israel, United States, Southern California, Coral Springs , Florida, Houston, Jewish Federations of North America, ”, Fort Lauderdale , Florida, South Florida, Germany, Los Angeles, Rockland County , New York, Fort Lauderdale

The world's biggest offshore wind farm company on Tuesday said it would cease all development on the Ocean Wind projects even as it moves forward with developments off neighboring New York, triggering an angry response from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "People did not anticipate (Orsted) backing out of Ocean Wind," said Timothy Fox, VP at research firm ClearView Energy Partners. Nipper told analysts that unlike Ocean Wind, Orsted is still pursuing Sunrise for several reasons, including the fact that the company has already lined up a vessel to build it. Under the most accelerated proposal, the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority said it could release the next offshore wind request for proposals in late November or early December. The Ocean Wind cancellation was the latest setback for the nascent U.S. offshore wind industry in recent months, which U.S. President Joe Biden and several states have counted on to fight global warming.

Persons: Phil Murphy, Timothy Fox, Mads Nipper, Nipper, Orsted, Joe Biden, Murphy, Scott DiSavino, Jarrett Renshaw, Nichola Groom, Bill Berkrot Organizations: ClearView Energy Partners, Sunrise, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, Analysts, BP, U.S, Thomson Locations: New Jersey, New York, U.S, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Culver City , California

[1/2] SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line during their ongoing strike outside Sony Studios in Culver City, California, U.S. September 29, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Santa Claus will not be coming to Hollywood this year. The strike, which has entered its 14th week, is scrambling next year’s film slate and delaying the return of primetime television comedies and dramas. Some have sold rights to film and television libraries to keep the lights on, one buyer told Reuters. Some major studio films scheduled for next year could slip into 2025 if the work stoppage continues, according to the studio executive, raising concern that audiences will get out of the habit of going to theaters.

Persons: Mario Anzuoni, Santa Claus, “, ”, Farrelly, Satan, Bob Marley, Guy Ritchie’s, Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill, Doug Creutz, Dawn Chmielewski, Lisa Richwine, Ken Li, Rod Nickel Organizations: Sony Studios, REUTERS, Reuters, Media, Warner Bros ., Television, CSI, CBS, Thomson Locations: Culver City , California, U.S, Santa, Hollywood, North America, Spain, Los Angeles

☆ The arrival of migrants in big cities is forcing Democrats to change their immigration politics
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“The border wall – the money was appropriated for the border wall,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. JB Pritzker sent a letter to the White House demanding federal coordination to deal with people crossing the border. Pritzker and Johnson both gave White House officials an earful in a hastily arranged conference call late Sunday, according to CNN’s report. CNN reported back in September on the breakdown in the relationship between the White House and New York’s mayor. Earlier this month, CNN spent the night in the Roosevelt Hotel, which closed as a commercial enterprise during the pandemic and now is used to temporarily house migrants.

Persons: Joe Biden, he’s, Donald, Eric Adams –, Biden, Priscilla Alvarez, Biden’s, Alvarez, Read, ” Biden, “, Trump, ”, Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker, Pritzker, Johnson, Adams, Greg Abbott, Kathy Hochul, they’ve, CNN’s David Culver, ” Read Organizations: CNN, Democratic, – New York, CNN White, Act, Congress, White, Illinois Gov, White House, New York’s, Gallup, Gov, New York Gov Locations: Donald Trump’s, Big, –, Latin America, South Texas, Mexico, Rio Grande, It’s, Alvarez, Eagle Pass , Texas, Chicago, Ecuador, Colombia, New York City, Darien, Panama, New York, Texas . New York, Roosevelt, Venezuela, Haiti, United States, Ciudad Hidalgo, Central

☆ ‘I Can’t Stop That:’ Biden Addresses Border Wall Construction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Inside the Company Minting the Next Generation of Child StarsPocket.watch, a digital-media company in Culver City, Calif., wants to be ‘the Nickelodeon of the future,’ its CEO says. WSJ’s Chavie Lieber explains how the company identifies and then signs YouTube’s biggest kid creators and then works to create new shows and distribution deals with streaming giants. Zoe Thomas hosts. Photo: Pat Martin for WSJ Magazine