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☆ Beethoven’s hair reveals lead poisoning
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” is one of the first songs I learned to play on the violin. While his doctor’s notes were lost to time, scientists sequenced Beethoven’s genome from locks of his hair last year. Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA new analysis of Beethoven’s hair has shown the composer experienced lead poisoning toward the end of his life. Tests revealed incredibly elevated levels of lead, as well as arsenic and mercury, in two of his locks, likely from drinking wine that was sweetened with lead. Researchers don’t believe lead poisoning would have been enough to kill him, but it could have contributed to the composer’s well-known gastrointestinal issues and deafness.

Persons: CNN — Ludwig van Beethoven’s, Joy ”, I’ll, Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven, don’t, ”, William Meredith, Umm Jirsan, Lady Elliot, Rebecca Wright, Kate Quigley, “ We’re, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Symphony, Hulton, “, Arabia, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Minderoo, Energy, CNN Space, Science Locations: Alabama, Saudi Arabia, Umm Jirsan, Lady, Australia

☆ Middle East Crisis White House Aide Warns Israel Against ‘Smashing Into Rafah’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

John F. Kirby, a White House national security spokesman, said President Biden is concerned that an Israeli assault on Rafah would strengthen Hamas. Smashing into Rafah, in his view, will not advance that objective, will not get to that sustainable, enduring defeat of Hamas. But Mr. Biden has grown increasingly wary of a major assault in the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza. Credit... Abir Sultan/EPA, via ShutterstockMr. Kirby also tried to assuage concerns that the United States was breaking with its closest ally in the Middle East. Mr. Biden’s decision to pause certain weapons shipments to Israel underscored brewing frustrations between Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Persons: John F, Kirby, Biden, Israel “, ” Mr, Israel —, Israel, Mr, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Abir, Biden’s, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, God’s, ” Organizations: White House, ., American, Congress Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza, United States, “, I’m, Israeli, Abir Sultan, Egypt

On Today’s Episode:White House Aide Warns Israel Against ‘Smashing Into Rafah’, by Erica L. GreenFormer White House Aide Returns to Stand in Trump’s Criminal Trial, by Matthew HaagFor Columbia and a Powerful Donor, Months of Talks and Millions at Risk, by Alan Blinder10 Big Biden Environmental Rules, and What They Mean, by Coral Davenport

Persons: Erica L, Matthew Haag, Alan Blinder, Coral Davenport Organizations: Former White, Columbia, Big

☆ Middle East Crisis Biden Says the U.S. Will Not Supply Israel With Weapons to Attack Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

President Biden acknowledged on Wednesday that American bombs have been used to kill Palestinian civilians as he warned that the United States would withhold certain weapons if Israel launches a long-threatened assault in southern Gaza. “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem,” Mr. Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett. Mr. Biden had resisted earlier calls to condition aid to Israel. Mr. Biden said he had made it clear to Mr. Netanyahu and his war cabinet that they would not get support if they moved forward with an offensive in densely populated areas. Asked if he hears the message of those young Americans, Mr. Biden said:“Absolutely, I hear the message.”

Persons: Biden, ”, Mr, CNN’s Erin Burnett, We’re, we’re, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, “, Netanyahu, Joe ” — Organizations: U.S, Hamas Locations: Rafah, United, Israel, Gaza, United States, Iran, I’m, East, ”, Egypt

☆ How Mother Figures Impact Our Lives
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Catherine Pearson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +13 min

For Mother’s Day, The Times asked readers to tell us about the mother figures in their lives. KELLY SANDOVAL, 48, SQUAMISH, B.C., CANADAI come from a multicultural background, but the Puerto Rican side of the family lived far away. When I showed up, Linda, my host mother, picked me up from the bus stop and made me tea and crumpets. If I had a nightmare and woke my mother up, she would tell me to climb into bed with Rita. During that year I also moved into my first apartment, away from the guidance of my mother.

Persons: Sara Walcott, “, ”, Walcott, Ruth, she’d, JUDITH SHAPIRO, Halbeck, ZEVA OELBAUM, Jacqueline, ” Jacqueline, It’s, JESSICA CHAHINE, Patty, darlin, KELLY SANDOVAL, Alina, “ Fallon, FALLON ALVAREZ, Linda, We’re, BELLA MUNTZ KIRCHNER, AUSTIN , TEXAS Tenzin, CHANTAL TORTOROLI ROBERTS, Mom, idealists, ANNETTE EUFEMIO, Miss Jordan, MARJORIE GEORGE, Yoshibe, I’m, MARY HAYES, Viola, Lois, Aunt Flossy, Frankye, DOUG MOURER, MANSON, Colleen, WENDY, Greenberg, Bach, MANUEL FIGALLO, Rita, HARRIET LISS, MARY EILEEN CONNERY McDONNELL, Wilma, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, MADLYN DICKENS, Dunn, —, Parkinson’s, I’ve, ” GENEVIEVE GEER, ANYA SANCHEZ, mami ”, Kitty ” —, KITTY CHACHRA Organizations: The Times, SOUTH, CANADA, Radio City Music Hall, Miss, Gloucester Cathedral, THE, The Locations: Macon , Ga, McLEAN , VA, Kansas City, Mo, New York, MONTCLAIR, N.J, France, Paris, SQUAMISH, Puerto Rican, PORTLAND, Cambridge, England, AUSTIN , TEXAS, LARCHMONT, MANILA, PHILIPPINES, BROOKLYN, N.Y, Japan, INDIANAPOLIS, Walla Walla, Wash, Northern Idaho, Swedish, Seattle, I’m, BELLINGHAM, ARLINGTON , VA, STAMFORD, CONN, GEORGETOWN, THE BRONX, MARATHON, Cava, Spain, BOULDER, COLO, India, Toronto, longhand, Delhi, WATERLOO , ONTARIO

☆ White House Aide Warns Israel Against ‘Smashing Into Rafah’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A White House spokesman warned on Thursday that Israel “smashing into Rafah” would not eradicate Hamas as he urged the country to find alternatives to the long-threatened assault on a city where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. But Mr. Biden has grown increasingly wary of a major assault in the densely populated city of Rafah in southern Gaza. “An enduring defeat of Hamas certainly remains the Israeli goal, and we share that goal with them,” Mr. Kirby said. On Wednesday, he said he would also withhold artillery if Israel went ahead with a major operation in Rafah. “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, that deal with that problem,” Mr. Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett.

Persons: Israel “, John F, Kirby, Biden, ” Mr, Israel —, Israel, Mr, CNN’s Erin Burnett Organizations: White House Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza, United States, “, I’m

On Today’s Episode:Biden Says the U.S. Will Not Supply Israel With Weapons to Attack Rafah, by Erica L. GreenWith a Gaza Cease-Fire in the Balance, Netanyahu Maneuvers to Keep Power, by Steven ErlangerStormy Daniels Returns to the Stand, by Matthew HaagJohnson Survives Greene’s Ouster Attempt as Democrats Join G.O.P. to Kill It, by Catie Edmondson, Carl Hulse and Kayla Guo

Persons: Biden, Erica L, Netanyahu, Steven Erlanger Stormy Daniels, Matthew Haag Johnson, Catie Edmondson, Carl Hulse, Kayla Guo Organizations: Will, Weapons, G.O.P Locations: U.S, Gaza

☆ Stone Age humans once sheltered in lava tube caves
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Beginning in the Stone Age, Neolithic herders descended into and occupied these vast tunnels, known as lava tubes, archaeologists have discovered. Umm Jirsan spans nearly 1 mile (1.5 kilometers), with passages that are up to 39 feet (12 meters) tall and as much as 148 feet (45 meters) wide. The researchers enter Umm Jirsan, the longest lava tube system in the region. Animal carvingsIn another tunnel near Umm Jirsan, the researchers found 16 panels of engraved rock art. “Collectively, the archaeological findings at the site and in the surrounding landscape paint a picture of recurrent use of the Umm Jirsan Lava Tube over millennia,” Stewart said.

Persons: Jirsan, haven’t, Umm, ”, Mathew Stewart, ” Stewart, Umm Jirsan, Guillaume Charloux, Charloux, Stewart, “, —, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN —, Australian Research Centre, Griffith University, CNN, Umm, French National Centre for Scientific Research, ’, Saudi Geological Survey, Arabia, Scientific Locations: Medina, Saudi Arabia, Umm Jirsan, Australia, Arabia, Asia

☆ Biden Says the U.S. Will Not Supply Israel With Weapons to Attack Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden acknowledged on Wednesday that American bombs have been used to kill Palestinian civilians as he warned that the United States would withhold certain weapons if Israel launches a long-threatened assault in southern Gaza. In some of his strongest language to date on the seven-month war, Mr. Biden said the United States would still ensure Israel’s security, including the Iron Dome missile defense system and Israel’s “ability to respond to attacks” like the one Iran launched in April. But he said he would block the delivery of weapons that could be fired into densely populated areas of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are sheltering. The president had already halted the shipment of 3,500 bombs last week out of concern that they might be used in a major assault on Rafah — the first time since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 that Mr. Biden has leveraged U.S. arms to try to influence how the war is waged.

Persons: Biden, ” Locations: United, Israel, Gaza, United States, Iran, Rafah

☆ Biden to Condemn Antisemitism at Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden on Tuesday will deliver the keynote address at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance, where he will draw on the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel to amplify concerns about antisemitism in the United States and abroad. Mr. Biden’s address from Capitol Hill comes during weeks of protests on American college campuses against Israel’s war in Gaza, with students demanding that the Biden administration stop sending arms to Israel. In some cases, the demonstrations have included antisemitic rhetoric and harassment targeting Jewish students. “You can expect the president to make clear that during these sacred days of remembrance, we honor the memory of the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust and recommit to heeding the lessons of this dark chapter.

Persons: Biden, recommit, ” Karine Jean, Pierre, “, we’ve Organizations: U.S . Holocaust, Capitol Hill, White House, Hamas Locations: U.S, Israel, United States, Gaza

☆ Biden Condemns a ‘Ferocious Surge’ of Antisemitism in the United States
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Erica L. Green | Michael D. Shear | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden on Tuesday condemned a “ferocious surge of antisemitism” in the United States following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel and said people were already forgetting the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Speaking at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance, Mr. Biden tied the anti-Jewish sentiment that led to the Nazi effort to exterminate Jews directly to Oct. 7. “This ancient hatred of Jews didn’t begin with the Holocaust,” he said. “It didn’t end with the Holocaust, either.”For Mr. Biden, a self-described Zionist, the speech was a clear assertion of his support for Jewish Americans as he struggles to balance his support for Israel with increasingly forceful calls for the protection of civilians in Gaza.

Persons: Biden, didn’t, ” Organizations: U.S . Holocaust, Israel Locations: United States, Israel, U.S, Gaza

☆ Live Updates: Biden to Condemn Antisemitism at Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance, where he will draw on the Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel to amplify concerns about antisemitism in the United States and abroad. Mr. Biden’s address from Capitol Hill comes during weeks of protests on American college campuses against Israel’s war in Gaza, with students demanding that the Biden administration stop sending arms to Israel. Jewish groups have been pressuring the administration to take firmer actions to combat antisemitism. Since the Oct. 7 attack, the department has opened more than 100 investigations into complaints about antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. For months, Mr. Biden has faced fierce criticism over his support for Israel, even from within his own party.

Persons: Biden, recommit, ” Karine Jean, Pierre, “, we’ve, Mr, ” Ms, Jean Organizations: U.S . Holocaust, Capitol Hill, White House, Hamas, Education Department’s, Civil Rights, Civil, Israel, Health Locations: U.S, Israel, United States, Gaza

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

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

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

☆ 2024 NFL Draft: 5 quarterbacks taken in the top 10 of the NFL Draft for the first time ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —The 2024 NFL Draft has kicked off with the Chicago Bears selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick on Thursday night. Earlier Thursday, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said on X 150,000 fans are in attendance at the draft. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 NFL Draft. How to watchThe 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit across three days in the downtown area surrounding the Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Pass-catching game-changersAccording to the NFL’s draft expert Daniel Jeremiah and his rankings of the 2024 draft prospects, three of the four best players are wide receivers, and 12 of the top 50 play the position.

Persons: Caleb Williams, Williams, Roger Goodell, Brian McCarthy, USC’s Williams, Kyler Murray, Tom Pennington, Justin Fields, Jayden Daniels, Daniels, Carolina’s Drake Maye, Maye, Lance Zierlein, shouldn’t, ” Daniels, Jonathan Bachman, Michael Penix Jr, JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix, Daniel Jeremiah, Marvin Harrison Jr, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Harrison Jr, Pro Bowler, Carmen Mandato, Zierlein, Rome, LSU’s Malik Nabers, Odunze, Larry Fitzgerald, Nabers, Justin Jefferson, Brian Thomas Jr, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Georgia’s Ladd McConkey Organizations: CNN, Chicago Bears, Bears, Hart, NFL Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL, Heisman, USC, The Bears, Washington, LSU, New England Patriots, UNC, LSU Tigers, Atlanta Falcons, University of Washington, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Michigan, Denver Broncos, Oregon, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Arizona Cardinals, Ohio State, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, of Famer, Getty, Los Angeles Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, New, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs Locations: Detroit, Baton Rouge, Texas, Carolina, New Orleans, Cleveland, Houston

☆ An expert in color psychology shares the 6 best shades to wear to make a good first impression on a date
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Cheyenne Lentz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

A darker green is the way to go for a first date, said Lewis. Creative Lab/ShutterstockIf you're hoping to show confidence on a date, green may be the way to go, according to Lewis. When it comes to choosing the right shade of green, Lewis recommended going for deeper hues. If the green is too light (think: pea soup), your date may feel ill at ease. "You want to symbolize the good side of green for a first impression," she said.

Persons: Lewis Organizations: Creative

☆ AstroForge: How this startup plans to make asteroid mining a reality.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Amy Gunia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Now the California-based startup is attempting to make asteroid mining a reality. That makes AstroForge the only company with a refinery that can turn M-type asteroids into PGMs in space, he adds. Some in the scientific community are skeptical that the private sector will be able to afford asteroid mining. Its all-or-nothing, lower-cost approach may help push asteroid mining closer to reality. “I hope if nothing else,” Gialich says, “we’re known as a space company that went for it.”

Persons: Matt Gialich, Gialich, Jose Acain, “, ”, we’re, “ We’re, AstroForge, Edward Carreon, “ that’s, –, Dan Britt, REx, James Cameron, Larry Page, Britt, “ I’m, ” Gialich, NASA's, Aubrey Gemignani, ” Britt, AstroForge’s Organizations: CNN, Virgin, SpaceX, NASA, Companies, Apple, Center, University of Central, JAXA, United, United Arab Emirates ’ Space Agency, UAE Space Agency, AP NASA, Planetary Resources, Titanic, Google, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Getty Locations: California, University of Central Florida, China, United Arab, United Arab Emirates, Utah, Los Angeles, Florida

☆ Senate advances long-awaited aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and TikTok bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Senators passed a crucial procedural vote with wide bipartisan support, signaling that the foreign aid package has the strength to pass a final vote. The funding includes roughly $60 billion for Ukraine aid, $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security. Spending-wise, the legislation is similar to the $95 billion foreign aid bill passed by the Senate in February, which has been effectively shelved in the House in the weeks since. TikTok has pushed back on this proposal since the House passed it over the weekend. Those political threats, along with an increasingly razor-thin House Republican majority led Johnson to effectively table the Senate's $95 billion foreign aid bill for weeks.

Persons: Charles Schumer, Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, TikTok, Biden, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Iran's, Donald Trump's, Trump, John Fredericks Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Senate, NBC News, House Republicans, Rep, Republican Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

☆ Biden Administration Releases Revised Title IX Rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Zach Montague | Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration issued new rules on Friday cementing protections for L.G.B.T.Q. students under federal law and updating the procedure schools must follow when investigating and adjudicating cases of alleged sexual misconduct on campus. The new rules, which take effect on Aug. 1, effectively broadened the scope of Title IX, the 1972 law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. They extend the law’s reach to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. And the administration took steps to roll back some of the more rigid campus sexual assault policies issued during the Trump administration, which drew condemnation from Democrats, including Mr. Biden, for being overly deferential to students accused of sexual violence.

Persons: IX, ” Miguel A . Cardona, Bostock, Trump, Biden Organizations: Biden, Civil Locations: Clayton County

☆ Senate Democrats unceremoniously kill Mayorkas impeachment trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

On Wednesday, Senate Democrats voted to declare as unconstitutional both articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas — effectively ending the trial. It put a swift end to what had been a monthslong process by House Republicans, championed originally by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. Democrats agreed with Schumer's move, effectively rendering the articles moot and the trial over before House Republicans could present their case. Senate Republicans were also unsuccessful in their effort to pressure vulnerable Democrats to back their push for a longer trial. Greene forced her colleagues to vote on moving forward with Mayorkas' impeachment last November.

Persons: —, Alejandro Mayorkas —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sen, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney, he's, Chuck Schumer, Schumer's, Schumer, Eric Schmitt, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Jon Tester, Montana, Mayorkas, Mike Gallagher, Wisconsin —, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Greene, Mark Green of Organizations: Service, of Homeland, House Republicans, Business, Senators, Missouri Republican, Republicans, Texas Republican, Senate, GOP, White House, Homeland, Democrats, House Homeland Security, Homeland Security Locations: Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Alaska, Utah, Missouri, Texas, Wisconsin, Southern, Mark Green of Tennessee

☆ As Civil Rights Era Fades From Memory, Generation Gap Divides Black Voters
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Maya King | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The front of it reads: “This is why I vote.”Since gaining the legal right, Ms. Green, 88, has participated in every possible election. This November will be no different, she said, when she casts a ballot for President Biden and Democrats down the ticket. While Ms. Green and many older Black voters are set on voting and already have plans in place to do so, younger Black voters, polling and focus group data show, feel far less motivated to cast a ballot for Democrats or even at all. The people that allowed themselves to be beaten,” Ms. Green said of the civil rights movement that ignited her determination to vote in every election. “I think there are some young Blacks who probably feel like it didn’t even happen.”

Persons: Loretta Green, Green, Biden, ” Ms, “ Organizations: Southwest, Black, Blacks Locations: Southwest Atlanta, reassembling, Georgia

☆ Eco-friendly data centers help drive $6.3 billion of green investment in Southeast Asia, but report shows more needed
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The analysis, conducted by Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered and Temasek, found that $6.3 billion of green investments flowed into the region, representing a 21% year-on-year increase. Last year, Malaysia attracted large-scale green financing of over $500 million for at least two data centers, according to the Monday report. watch nowThe move came after the Singaporean government unveiled a sustainability standard for data centers operating in tropical climates. Despite these efforts, Singapore's overall green investments fell in 2023 to $0.9 billion from $1.2 billion a year prior. Green investment towards power in the region fell by 14% year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Persons: Singapore —, Kimberly Tan, GenZero's Tan Organizations: Istock, Getty, Bain & Company, GenZero, Chartered, International Energy Agency, Singapore Locations: Asia, Temasek, Malaysia, Singapore

☆ How climate change is beginning to be built into employee pay and benefits
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Trevor Laurence Jockims | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

There are some companies all-in, as a brand, in fighting climate change , such as Patagonia. So-called green perks, also referred to as climate change benefits, could help to bridge that gap. A rising, though still marginal trend in the job market, employee enticement and compensation packages tied to climate change can help to make these abstractions clearer and more actionable in the workplace. "There's a nascent but growing interest in climate change benefits," Schneider said, pointing out that Google searches for commuter benefits, as an example, are trending up. Green perks are a benefits arena where the demand would seem to outstrip supply, and green commuter benefits may be the first indication of a wider adoption wave.

Persons: enticement, WTW, Caroline Mangiardi, Mangiardi, Lauren Schneider, it's, Schneider, Mercer, Lizzy Kolar, Kolar, Kolar's Organizations: Walmart, Apple, Bank of America, Compt, CSR, employee's CSA, Fortune Locations: Bentonville , Arkansas, Patagonia, Bentonville —, Bentonville, employee's

☆ Biden Says U.S. Is Considering Dropping Its Case Against Assange
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Erica L. Green | More About Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden said on Wednesday that the United States was considering dropping its prosecution of Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks founder who has been jailed in London for years while fighting extradition to face U.S. charges related to his publication of classified documents. Mr. Biden made the comment on the case of the embattled publisher, who is being detained in a high-security prison, in response to a question about a request from Mr. Assange’s home country of Australia that he be allowed to return there. “We’re considering it,” Mr. Biden said at the White House, where he was hosting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan. Mr. Assange has been jailed for nearly five years after being indicted by the United States with 18 counts of violating the Espionage Act for publishing thousands of documents detailing secret military operations and diplomatic intelligence, as well as revelations about the civilian death tolls in the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Persons: Biden, Julian Assange, Assange’s, “, ” Mr, Fumio Kishida, Assange Organizations: WikiLeaks, White Locations: United States, London, Australia, Japan, U.S, Iraq, Afghanistan

☆ What to Know About Biden’s New Student Debt Relief Plan
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The groups affected include:— Borrowers whose loan balances have ballooned because of interest would have up to $20,000 of their interest balance canceled. The plan would waive the entire interest balance for borrowers considered “low- and middle-income” who are enrolled in the administration’s income-driven repayment plans. The interest forgiveness would be a one-time benefit, but would be the largest relief valve in the plan. — Borrowers with undergraduate student debt who started repaying their loans more than 20 years ago, and graduate students who started paying their debt 25 or more years ago, would have their debts canceled. Students who attended institutions or programs that left them with mounds of debt but bleak earning or job prospects would also be eligible for relief.

Organizations: Public

☆ Biden to Visit Site of Baltimore Bridge Collapse on Friday
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Erica L. Green | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden plans on Friday to visit the site of the Baltimore bridge that collapsed after a colossal cargo ship plowed into it last week, killing six people and severing a major shipping and transportation artery. During his visit to the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Mr. Biden will take an aerial tour, receive briefings on the response efforts and meet with the families of construction workers who were plunged into the Patapsco River along with the structure. Mr. Biden is set to encounter a more than mile-long tangle of concrete and steel that has snarled traffic, devastated blue-collar communities and disrupted operations at one of America’s biggest ports, threatening chaos that could ripple across supply chains. The president has already pledged federal support to help the city recover from the March 26 catastrophe, including a vow to “pay for the entire cost of reconstructing” the bridge “as soon as humanly possible.” It was unclear whether he would announce new measures during his visit, such as an emergency funding package that would need congressional approval. Some Republicans have already rebuffed his promise to pay the entire bridge cost.

Persons: Biden, Francis Scott Key Organizations: Republicans Locations: Baltimore, Patapsco

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