Education Department , Now Excluding Some Borrowers , From Student Debt Relief.
The United States Department of Education has released new
guidelines that prevent certain federal student loan borrowers
from qualifying for the student loan forgiveness program.
NBC reports that the update to the Education Department's guidance for one-time student debt relief is a complete reversal of previous guidelines.
Previously, the department said that borrowers whose loans were not held by the Department of Education could consolidate their debt into Direct Loans in order to qualify.
According to an administration official,
the number of borrowers affected
by this decision is about 770,000.
In August, President Joe Biden announced a sweeping
student loan forgiveness program that included
up to $10,000 for federal student loan borrowers.
There are an estimated 5 million "overlooked borrowers"
with commercially-held Federal Family Education Loan Program
(FFEL) loans who have been excluded from debt forgiveness.
Those with FFEL loans were also excluded
from the federal student loan payment pause
that was in effect throughout the COVID pandemic.
On September 29, news of the policy change was met with fierce criticism from borrowers and student loan experts on social media.
According to the Department of Education's website, work
is under way to determine if an alternative pathway to debt
relief can be found for those with FFEL Program loans
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
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
Biden Looks to Energize , Young Voters With Earth Day , Solar Energy Grants.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
NBC reports that President Joe Biden will mark
Earth Day with the announcement of $7 billion
in federal grants for residential solar projects.
The grants will bring solar energy
to over 900,000 households in both
low- and middle-income communities. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
According to senior administration officials, the
projects receiving additional funding will reduce emissions
by 30 million metric tons and save $350 million every year. .
NBC reports that solar power has gained
traction as a clean energy source that could
help reduce U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
However, the high cost of initial installation
makes solar energy inaccessible
for many households in the U.S.
49 of the new grants will be awarded at
the state level, six more will serve Native American
tribes and another five are multi-state awards.
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
The grants will be used for renewable
investments that include rooftop solar
and community solar gardens. .
Officials say that the latest environmental
announcements are part of an effort to energize
young voters ahead of his upcoming reelection campaign.
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
Biden also reportedly plans to expand the
American Climate Corps green jobs training program,
which was created last year by executive action. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda. .
The corps, which will offer nearly 2,000 positions across
36 states, is meant to offer young Americans the chance
to help enact the Biden administration's climate agenda.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Papua New Guinea's prime minister has accused Joe Biden of insulting his country after the US president implied his uncle had been eaten by cannibals on the.. Sky News
Sabrina Impacciatore of 'The White Lotus' and Domhnall Gleeson from 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' have been cast in the new take on the beloved NBC Steve Carell-led comedy 'The Office.'
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:08Published
Olympic Break-Dancing , Is Making Its First Appearance , at the Paris Games.
NBC reports that break-dancing will
make its debut as an official Olympic
sport at the upcoming Paris Games.
Also known as breaking, the sport
features headspins, windmills, various
"freeze" moves and will be set to music.
According to the Paris Olympics, the sport is , "characterized by acrobatic movements, stylized
footwork and the key role played by the DJ and
the MC (master of ceremonies) during battles.".
The sport first made an appearance
at the 2018 Youth Olympics
in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
According to NBC Olympics, the event
garnered over one million viewers,
a much wider audience than many other sports.
According to NBC Olympics, the event
garnered over one million viewers,
a much wider audience than many other sports.
Breaking joins a number of other new sports, including
three that were debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Games: , surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing.
Breaking joins a number of other new sports, including
three that were debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Games: , surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing.
Breaking joins a number of other new sports, including
three that were debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Games: , surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing.
NBC reports that the new sports represent an effort
by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
to draw in younger viewers and athletes. .
NBC reports that the new sports represent an effort
by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
to draw in younger viewers and athletes. .
The Paris Olympics breaking competition
will be split into two events on August 9
and 10 at La Concorde Urban Park.
According to the Paris Olympics, the event
will see a total of 16 B-boys or 16 B-girls , "go face to face in spectacular solo battles.".
According to the Paris Olympics, the event
will see a total of 16 B-boys or 16 B-girls , "go face to face in spectacular solo battles."
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Carl Erskine, , 1950s Dodgers Pitcher, , Dead at 97.
NBC reports that the baseball legend
died at Community Hospital Anderson in Indiana.
He was one of the last surviving members of the
celebrated Brooklyn teams from the 1950s, having
spent his entire career playing for the Dodgers.
He was one of the last surviving members of the
celebrated Brooklyn teams from the 1950s, having
spent his entire career playing for the Dodgers.
Between 1948 and 1959,
Erskine and the Dodgers took home
five National League pennants.
Between 1948 and 1959,
Erskine and the Dodgers took home
five National League pennants.
The right-handed pitcher had a career record of 122-78 with 981 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.00.
Erskine's best season came in 1953
when he led the National League
with a record of 20-6.
In 1954, Erskine had another
All-Star season, winning 18 games.
Out of his five World Series appearances,
the Dodgers beat the Yankees
in 1955 to win their only championship.
Out of his five World Series appearances,
the Dodgers beat the Yankees
in 1955 to win their only championship.
With Erskine's passing, 88-year-old
Sandy Koufax becomes the lone surviving
Dodgers player from that 1955 World Series team.
With Erskine's passing, 88-year-old
Sandy Koufax becomes the lone surviving
Dodgers player from that 1955 World Series team.
In July of 2023, the Baseball Hall of Fame's
board of directors awarded Erskine with
the Buck O'Neil lifetime achievement award.
In July of 2023, the Baseball Hall of Fame's
board of directors awarded Erskine with
the Buck O'Neil lifetime achievement award.
For millions of fans, he was
a baseball hero. For his family
and thousands of Special Olympians,
Carl was someone who always
believed everything was possible. , Jane Forbes Clark, Baseball Hall of Fame chairman, via NBC.
His legacy is one
of deep compassion
and encouragement
of the human spirit, Jane Forbes Clark, Baseball Hall of Fame chairman, via NBC
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
WHO consultation proposes 'through the air' descriptor for disease transmission, aiming to clarify pathogen transmission methods. Experts like Dr Neeraj Nischal.. IndiaTimes
An osprey who rose to fame as an online star during the first COVID lockdown has welcomed the earliest egg of the season in the Scottish Highlands. Sky News
These Foods Will Either
Boost or Drain Your Energy.
As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, it can be a struggle to maintain consistent energy levels throughout the day.
While a cup of coffee can provide a
much-needed boost of energy, experts say eating the
right food is actually a better option. .
Here are 10 foods that'll either boost or drain your energy,
according to three registered dietitian nutritionists. .
1. Black Beans
(Energy Booster) .
2. Caffeine/Energy Drinks
(Energy Drainer).
3. Bananas
(Energy Booster).
4. Candy
(Energy Drainer).
5. Eggs
(Energy Booster).
6. Steak
(Energy Drainer).
7. Water
(Energy Booster).
8. Fruit Smoothies
(Energy Drainer).
9. Pistachios
(Energy Booster).
10. Low-Calorie
Frozen Meals
(Energy Drainer)
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
US Life Expectancy on the Rise , Following Pandemic Decline, CDC Report Says.
According to the latest federal
mortality data, life expectancy in
the United States increased in 2022. .
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The report published by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) raised life expectancy to 77.5 years.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
The positive change comes after two
years of decline following the pandemic.
While life expectancy has yet to reach
pre-pandemic levels, 2022 showed
an increase of 1.1 years compared to 2021.
2022 ended up recording 3.27 million
deaths in the U.S., which was
184,374 fewer deaths than the year before.
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
According to the report, heart disease
and cancer remained the two most
prevalent causes of death in the U.S. .
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
COVID-19 dropped to fourth on
the list, and unintentional injuries
took over the number three spot.
ABC reports that both males and
females saw approximately the same
increase in life expectancy from 2021 to 2022.
Over the same period of time,
the death rate decreased
for nearly every age group. .
Another NCHS report found that rates of
drug overdose deaths from synthetic opioids
increased by 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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