Celeste Wallander, former Special Assistant to President Obama on Russia, says the White House is preparing for a productive relationship with the Kremlin.
This Day in History: , Prince Dies.
April 21, 2016.
The iconic musician, 57,
was found dead at his estate,
Paisley Park, in Minnesota.
Prince had overdosed on fentanyl.
His death was ruled accidental.
Over the span of four decades,
Prince transcended genre and created
more than 30 albums, his first in 1978 for Warner Bros.
Prince often played all of the
instruments on the album himself.
He was charismatic and electrifying on stage.
His 1984 album 'Purple Rain'
sold 13 million copies. It was number one
on the 'Billboard' 200 chart for 24 consecutive weeks.
He won seven Grammy awards.
His final album was released in 2015,
just months before his death.
Few artists have influenced the sound and trajectory of popular music more distinctly, or touched quite so many people with their talent, President Obama, via History.com
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:00Published
President Joe Biden, alongside Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, faced protests during a fundraiser defending the White House's Gaza crisis handling. The event, raising $25 million, featured discussions moderated by Stephen Colbert at Radio City Music Hall. Obama emphasized the complexities of presidency, while Clinton praised Biden's economic policies. The event aimed to bolster support amid discontent over Biden's Israel stance.
#President #JoeBiden #BarackObama #BillClinton #StephenColbert #Israel #ProPalestineProtestors #NewYorkProtests #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
~ED.102~PR.152~GR.124~
Biden Campaign to Rake In $25 Million , at Star-Studded Fundraiser.
President Biden will host the
most lucrative political fundraiser in
American history on March 28, Politico reports. .
The event will feature former
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
The event will feature former
Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.
Mindy Kaling will emcee the event
from Radio City Music Hall.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
There will be musical performances by
Cynthia Erivo, Queen Latifah, Lizzo.
Lea Michele and Ben Platt.
Lea Michele and Ben Platt.
Stephen Colbert will host an "armchair conversation" with Biden, Obama and Clinton.
Unlike our opponent, every dollar weâre raising
is going to reach the voters who will decide
this election â communicating the presidentâs
historic record, his vision for the future and
laying plain the stakes of this election, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chair, via statement.
The numbers donât lie: todayâs event
is a massive show of force and a
true reflection of the momentum
to reelect the Biden-Harris ticket, Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Biden campaign co-chair, via statement.
$25 million is expected to be raised at the event. .
By comparison, Biden's campaign raised
$21 million during all of last month.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump
raised $20 million during the month of February.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
16 Republican AGs Sue Biden Administration , for Pausing Liquid Natural Gas Exports.
The lawsuit was filed on March 21.
The states claim that the Biden administration
does not have the authority to deny
"federal permits for new liquid natural
gas (LNG) exports," 'The Hill' reports. .
The 16 attorneys general also allege
that the pause goes against Congress.
This ban disregards statutory mandates,
flouts the normal regulatory process, upends
the industry, disrupts Plaintiffsâ economies,
and subverts our constitutional structure, Via lawsuit.
These unlawful actions leave Plaintiffs
with no choice but to once more turn
to the courts to enforce the law, Via lawsuit.
The suit goes on to allege that the ban is
motivated by politics and comes "in the midst of an election year, and after a sustained pressure campaign from billionaire conglomerates, celebrities, âinfluencers,â and banks.".
The timing of the decision, in an election
year, raises the likelihood that political
motivations drove the action, House Oversight Committee Republicans,
in a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
LNG, which is often considered to be
"a bridge between coal and renewables," was first pushed by the Obama administration.
LNG, which is often considered to be
"a bridge between coal and renewables," was first pushed by the Obama administration.
President Biden's pause on permits signifies
a stark contrast from his predecessor.
In February, the House passed a bill that would
strip the White House of its LNG permit authority
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Remembering
Aretha Franklin.
Aretha Louise Franklin was born on
March 25, 1942, and died on August 16, 2018.
Here are five facts
to celebrate the
âQueen of Soul.â.
1. She was the first woman inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2. Franklin taught
herself how to play
the piano by ear.
3. She performed for
Presidents Jimmy Carter,
Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
4. Franklin's single, "Respect,"
was a civil rights anthem.
5. NASA named an
asteroid after her.
Happy Birthday,
Aretha Franklin!
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:48Published
Russia Vetoes UN Resolution , to Prevent Nukes in Space.
The resolution was sponsored
by Japan and the United States.
It called on all nations to refrain from developing or deploying nuclear weapons "or other weapons of mass destruction in space," 'The Guardian' reports. .
A 1967 international treaty
already bans such weapons in space.
Russiaâs U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia,
vetoed the resolution, calling it "absolutely absurd and politicized," as well as a "dirty spectacle.".
China abstained from voting, while the rest of the 15-member council voted in favor of the resolution. .
Todayâs veto begs the question:
Why? Why, if you are following the
rules, would you not support a
resolution that reaffirms them?
What could you possibly be hiding, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., via 'The Guardian'.
Russia and China would rather establish an
amendment calling on all nations "to prevent for
all time the placement of weapons in outer space, and the threat of use of force in outer spaces.".
We want a ban on the placement of
weapons of any kind in outer space, not
just WMDs [weapons of mass destruction].
But you donât want that. And let me ask
you that very same question. Why?, Vassily Nebenzia, Russiaâs U.N. ambassador, via 'The Guardian'.
Nebenzia went on to say, "if we recall that the U.S. and their allies announced some time ago plans to place weapons ⊠in outer space.".
The U.S.-Japan resolution was announced in March after it was determined that Russia was in possession of "a 'troubling' anti-satellite weapon capability," 'The Guardian' reports.
However, earlier this year, Putin said, , "Our position is clear and transparent: We have always been categorically against and are now against the deployment of nuclear weapons in space."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Senate Passes $95 Billion , Foreign Aid Package.
On April 23, the U.S. Senate voted
79-18 to approve foreign aid for Ukraine,
Israel and Taiwan, 'The Guardian' reports. .
Today the Senate sends a unified
message to the entire world:
America will always defend
democracy in its hour of need, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Make no mistake, America will deliver
on its promise to act like a leader on the
world stage, to hold the line against
autocratic thugs like Vladimir Putin. , Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
The package includes $60.8 billion for Ukraine,
$26.3 billion for Israel and $8.1 billion for Taiwan.
A provision to ban TikTok
after the election if ByteDance refuses
to sell the platform is also included.
The legislation will now head to President Biden, who told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on
April 23 that he will "move quickly" to provide aid.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer praised House Speaker Mike Johnson, .
with whom he worked "hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder to get this bill done.".
A lot of people inside and
outside the Congress wanted this
package to fail. But today those in
Congress who stand on the side of
democracy are winning the day, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell also issued a statement.
Todayâs action is overdue, but our work
does not end here. Trust in American
resolve is not rebuilt overnight. Expanding
and restocking the arsenal of democracy
doesnât just happen by magic, Senate Majority Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
A Russian priest who held a memorial service for the late opposition leader and Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny has been suspended from clerical duties for.. Sky News
Kim Kardashian went back to the White House to advocate for criminal justice reform -- only here, it was with Biden's camp ... proving she's loyal to the cause,.. TMZ.com
Biden Is Giving $6 Billion , to Micron Technology , for Semiconductor Production.
On April 25, President Biden will travel to Syracuse, NY, to announce over $6 billion in federal grants that his administration is awarding to Micron Technology, NPR reports. .
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who was heavily involved in enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, issued a statement about the investment. .
This is the federal government taking back the reins, putting money where its mouth is when we say we want the future of tech to be stamped: 'Made in America.', Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, via statement.
Micron will invest $100 billion of the funds to construct a manufacturing facility in Syracuse.
Schumer referred to the plan as "quite a
great return" on the government's investment.
A factory will also be built in
Boise, Idaho, NPR reports. .
That facility is expected to be ready for production by 2026, while two New York factories will likely be ready by 2028 and 2029.
The White House estimates that
the projects could create 20,000 jobs
in construction and manufacturing.
in addition to "tens of thousands of
indirect jobs in the regions," NPR reports. .
The CHIPS and Science Act has also provided funding for Intel, TSMC and Samsung
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
FTC to Decide , Whether Noncompete Agreements , Should Be Banned.
After receiving over 26,000 public comments about the issue, the Federal Trade Commission is set to deliver its verdict on April 30, NPR reports. .
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
The commission said that if approved, the
final rule "would generally prevent most
employers from using noncompete clauses.".
Approximately one in five Americans, spanning minimum wage workers to CEOs, are subject to noncompete agreements, the FTC estimates. .
The Biden administration says that these types of agreements hurt workers by decreasing wages.
The White House also argues that these
agreements harm the U.S. economy because entrepreneurship isn't allowed to freely flourish. .
FTC Chair Lina M. Khan issued a statement when
the proposed ban was initially introduced.
The freedom to change jobs is
core to economic liberty and to
a competitive, thriving economy, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Noncompetes block workers from
freely switching jobs, depriving
them of higher wages and better
working conditions, and depriving
businesses of a talent pool that
they need to build and expand, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, via statement.
Businesses argue that noncompete agreements are essential for safeguarding investments and proprietary information.
Those businesses also question whether
the agency has the power "to regulate
such agreements," NPR reports. .
If the FTC votes to issue a final rule, enforcement wouldn't occur for 180 days,
and legal challenges would likely ensue.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Fears of Potential Iranian Attack , Drive US Stocks Down , Nearly 500 Points.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
CNN reports that United States stocks dropped on
April 12 amid rising tensions in the Middle East pushing
traders to seek safe havens like gold and bonds.
By mid-afternoon, the Dow had fallen
1.4%, the S&P 500 went down 1.6%,
and the Nasdaq dropped 1.8%.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The dip came after the White House announced
that both the U.S. and Israel are on alert for
a potential attack by Iran or its allies.
The warning comes after Iran
accused Israel of a deadly airstrike
on a consulate in Damascus, Syria. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
The news also sent oil prices up amid
fears of regional tensions escalating
as a result of the ongoing war in Gaza. .
Brent crude futures jumped up to $90.42
a barrel, and West Texas Intermediate crude
futures increased to $86.65 a barrel.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
Those geopolitical concerns and subsequent
rising oil prices sent investors to safe havens like
gold futures, which rose to $2,379 a troy ounce.
CNN reports that Americans' opinions of
the economy have dipped in the past few
months amid persistently high inflation.
The geopolitical fears come as investors are already
contending with concerns that the Federal Reserve could
wait to bring interest rates down from a 23-year high.
Officials at the Fed have signaled that further rate
hikes could still be on the way if the central
bank's efforts to fight inflation stall.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Biden Cancels Over $7 Billion in Student Debt , for More Than 277,000 Borrowers.
On April 12, President Joe Biden said that over 277,000 borrowers in more than
40 states will have $7.4 billion in student
loan debt wiped out, 'The Hill' reports. .
To date, the Biden administration has canceled $153 billion in student loan debt. .
From day one of my administration,
I promised to fight to ensure higher
education is a ticket to the middle class,
not a barrier to opportunity. , President Joe Biden, via statement.
I will never stop working to cancel
student debt â no matter how
many times Republican elected
officials try to stop us, President Joe Biden, via statement.
'The Hill' reports that Biden's loan forgiveness has largely been aimed at helping
"public service workers, those on IDR plans," .
people who've been defrauded by educational institutions and those with disabilities. .
Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, issued a statement in response to Biden's actions. .
The administration is tone deaf.
Thereâs no other way to put it, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
We know that instead of doing its
job the administration focused
time, energy, and resources on
its illegal student loan scheme. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
And that has been frustrating, especially
since it has jeopardized the academic
journey of millions of students, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
But what is absolutely maddening is
that the administration is STILL not
doing its job and instead focusing on
its student loan shenanigans. , Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Education Committee, via statement.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, , âWe know what Republicans are going to do; we canât
stop them from that. But itâs also not going to stop the president from acting and taking action, like he is today.â
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published