Telecom fights price caps as U.S. spends billions on internet access
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Telecom companies such as AT&T, Charter, Comcast, and Verizon are lobbying against strict new rules that would require them to lower their poorest customers' monthly bills in exchange for a share of the $42.5 billion federal program to improve internet access across the U.S. The lobbying campaign has caused regulators in several states, including California, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and others, to rethink, scale back, or abandon their plans to condition the federal funds on financial relief for consumers. The telecom companies argue that the proposed price cuts are illegal and that rate regulation would hinder the success of the broadband program. On the other hand, consumer advocates argue that the industry is trying to benefit from the federal aid without addressing the issue of high broadband prices. The political wrangling has significant consequences for the approximately 8.5 million U.S. households and small businesses that still lack access to affordable internet, exacerbating the digital divide. The $42.5 billion federal program, enacted as part of the 2021 infrastructure law, aims to deliver speedy and affordable broadband to unserved areas of the country by 2030. The Biden administration has suggested that internet plans should cost consumers no more than $30 per month, but local officials have the flexibility to propose alternatives. Telecom companies have spent millions of dollars lobbying against restrictions on pricing and have questioned the legality of tying federal funds to specific pricing changes. The telecom industry's lobbying efforts have been influential in several states, leading to the removal or scaling back of proposed price caps for low-income residents. The opposition from the telecom industry highlights its vast power and reach as a political force. The policy disputes have gained urgency as the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides monthly subsidies to lower broadband bills for millions of Americans, faces the prospect of sharp cuts in May and is set to cease operating in June due to a lack of funds. Congressional Republicans have criticized the subsidies as wasteful and have sided with internet providers over the provision of federal infrastructure funds. The lobbying efforts by the telecom industry and the political pressure have raised concerns that the massive influx of federal aid for broadband may fall short of its potential if Americans cannot afford the new broadband service in their communities.
#Telecom #PriceCaps #Broadband #InternetAccess #Lobbying #FederalProgram #DigitalDivide #ConsumerAdvocacy #AffordableConnectivity
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/04/15/telecom-lobbying-price-caps-broadband/
Top diplomats meet in Paris to mobilize aid for Sudan, wrecked by war and on the brink of famine
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Top diplomats and aid groups are meeting in Paris to mobilize humanitarian support for Sudan, which has been devastated by a yearlong war and is on the brink of famine. The conflict in Sudan began in April last year when tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into open fighting. The U.N. humanitarian campaign requires $2.7 billion this year to provide food, healthcare, and supplies to 24 million people in Sudan, but only $145 million has been given so far. Sudan is facing the threat of mass starvation, with broken food production and distribution networks and aid agencies unable to reach the worst-affected regions. The conflict has also been marked by reports of atrocities, including killings, displacement, and rape. Approximately 37% of the population is at crisis level or above when it comes to food insecurity, and about 230,000 children, pregnant women, and newborn mothers could die of malnutrition in the coming months. Nearly 9 million people have been forced to flee their homes within Sudan or to neighboring countries. The military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, are engaged in ongoing conflict. In 2021, they toppled an internationally recognized civilian government that was meant to guide Sudan's democratic transition.
#Sudan #War #Famine #HumanitarianAid #Paris
Masters 2024 highlights: Scottie Scheffler wins green jacket for second time in three years
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Scottie Scheffler won the Masters title for the second time in his career, securing his second green jacket in the past three years. Ludvig Aberg finished second, while Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, and Tommy Fleetwood tied for third. Tiger Woods completed four rounds at a major for the first time since 2020 but finished in last place among players who made the cut.
#Masters2024 #ScottieScheffler #Golf #GreenJacket
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/14/masters-leaderboard-scores-sunday-tiger-woods/
At the end of the worst Wizards season ever, more change is coming
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The Washington Wizards ended their worst season ever with a 15-67 record. The coaches and players did not feel relief or emotion after their final defeat to the Boston Celtics. Interim coach Brian Keefe believes they have developed resilience and a competitive atmosphere, laying the foundation for improvement. The Wizards had the most losses in franchise history and many of the losses were painful to watch. However, the team made strides in player development and culture-building. The offseason will involve finding a new coach, participating in the draft lottery and NBA draft, and exploring free agency. The Wizards have two players set to become unrestricted free agents: Tyus Jones and Anthony Gill. The team recently signed four players as part of their season of discovery to evaluate their roster for the rebuild.
#WashingtonWizards #Nba #Basketball #Offseason #Rebuilding
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/04/14/wizards-offseason-preview/
What to stream this week: Conan O’Brien travels, 'Migration' soars and Taylor Swift will reign
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Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver” and Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” album are among the new streaming offerings. The animated movie “Migration” follows a family of ducks flying south for the winter. Conan O’Brien stars in the travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go.” Other new releases include Pearl Jam’s album “Dark Matter,” the limited series “Under the Bridge” starring Lily Gladstone, and the British comedy “Big Mood” starring Nicola Coughlan. The fantasy book series “The Spiderwick Chronicles” has been adapted for TV. National Geographic’s “Secrets Of” franchise has a new installment called “Secrets of the Octopus.” The video game “Harold Halibut” features distinctive graphics and is set in a city-sized spaceship.
#Streaming #Movies #Music #Television #Games
Asparagus mimosa is France’s sunny, eggy ode to spring
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Asparagus mimosa is a classic French dish that celebrates spring. Asparagus, which hibernates all winter, starts to grow and stretch towards the sun when the soil warms and the light changes. The chlorophyll in asparagus converts the sun's energy into sustenance, giving it its green color. White asparagus is grown in the dark. Asparagus pairs well with eggs, and there are numerous dishes that combine the two. Asparagus mimosa is a simple and delicious dish where lightly cooked asparagus is dressed in vinaigrette and topped with sieved egg yolks and whites. It is an ideal brunch dish or a side to a main course. The dish is best eaten immediately to appreciate the combination of textures. Asparagus mimosa is a favorite of food writer David Lebovitz, who believes it is the best way to serve asparagus. The dish is named after the mimosa flowers because the sieved egg yolks on a backdrop of whites resemble the flowers. The recipe can be made off the cuff using a favorite vinaigrette. The asparagus and eggs can be steamed together to save time and effort. Spring slips away quickly, so it's best to enjoy the dish immediately.
#Asparagus #FrenchCuisine #SpringDish #Recipe #Eggs
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2024/04/14/asparagus-mimosa-classic-french-spring-eggs/
Divisive? Not for moviegoers. ‘Civil War’ declares victory at box office.
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Alex Garland’s film 'Civil War' surpasses expectations and earns $25.7 million in ticket sales in North America, becoming the biggest R-rated opening of the year. It unseats 'Godzilla x Kong' from the No. 1 spot at the box office. The film stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, and Cailee Spaeny as front-line journalists in a near future covering a devastating conflict in the U.S. and trying to make their way to Washington, D.C. 'Civil War' has been inspiring debates and opinion pieces since its release. The film opened on 3,838 screens in the U.S. and Canada, including IMAX. It has a production budget of $50 million and overperformed in markets 'from LA to El Paso.'
#BoxOffice #Film #CivilWar #Moviegoers #Record #Debates
Ex-U.S. ambassador sentenced to 15 years after decades of spying for Cuba
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Manuel Rocha, a former U.S. ambassador, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to working as a secret agent for Cuba for over 40 years. The Justice Department described his actions as one of the most serious infiltrations of the U.S. government in history. Rocha referred to the United States as 'the enemy' and praised Fidel Castro during an undercover operation conducted by an FBI agent posing as a Cuban spy. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government and acting as an agent of a foreign government without notice. Rocha, who served on the National Security Council and as U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, gained access to national secrets and allegedly shared classified information with Cuban intelligence operatives. He was ordered to pay $500,000, forfeit future pension payments, cooperate with the U.S. government, and share details of his dealings with Cuba. Rocha also agreed to work undercover for the U.S. government if requested.
#Espionage #Cuba #UsGovernment
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/04/13/manuel-rocha-cuba-espionage-sentencing/
A Chinese official meets North Korean leader Kim in Pyongyang in highest-level talks in years
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A top-ranking Chinese official, Zhao Leji, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, reaffirming ties between the two countries. This meeting marks the highest-level talks between China and North Korea in years. Zhao, who ranks third in the ruling Communist Party hierarchy and heads the ceremonial parliament, expressed China's commitment to further developing ties with North Korea. The visit comes at a time when North Korea has been attempting to intimidate South Korea and the United States. China has been a crucial source of economic aid and diplomatic support for North Korea. The two countries have been good neighbors for the past 75 years and have fought together during the Korean War. Zhao also met with his North Korean counterpart, Choe Ryong Hae, to discuss promoting exchanges and cooperation. This visit is the first bilateral exchange involving a Chinese Politburo Standing Committee member since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. North Korea and China are expected to hold more exchanges this year to commemorate the establishment of diplomatic ties. North Korea has been seeking closer cooperation with China and Russia amid tensions with the US and South Korea over its missile launches and nuclear program. In the past, Kim has also held summits with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. China has refused to criticize Russia's invasion of Ukraine but has stated that it will not provide direct military support to Russia.
#China #NorthKorea #KimJongUn #ZhaoLeji #DiplomaticTies #EconomicAid #KoreanWar #Covid19Pandemic #ChoeRyongHae #Cooperation #MissileLaunches #NuclearProgram #XiJinping #VladimirPutin #Russia #Us #SouthKorea
Biden embraced Trump’s tariffs. It might be his undoing.
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Inflation has been higher than expected for three straight months, posing a threat to President Biden's reelection prospects. The Trump and Biden administrations both implemented policies that asked consumers to pay more for goods and services, contributing to inflationary pressures. Despite criticizing Trump's tariffs during his campaign, President Biden has kept them in place. The tariffs have not been effective in altering China's policies and have cost the American economy in terms of money and lost jobs. The tariffs have cost the U.S. economy nearly 200,000 jobs and 0.25 percent of its GDP annually. The Biden administration is reluctant to lift the tariffs, even though they have failed. The rising protectionism in America also has foreign policy costs, as seen in the administration's opposition to a Japanese company buying U.S. Steel. The decline in manufacturing cannot solely be attributed to globalization, as countries like Germany and France, which protected workers and invested in retraining, have also seen right-wing populism rise. The article suggests that policies designed to keep populists at bay may end up punishing mainstream politicians if they result in higher inflation and higher prices for consumers.
#Biden #Trump #Tariffs #Economy #Inflation
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/12/biden-trump-tariffs-economy-inflation/
Six shot, one fatally, in Northeast D.C. neighborhood with violent past
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Two boys, aged 9 and 12, were among the six victims shot in the Carver-Langston neighborhood of Northeast D.C. on Wednesday. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. when two individuals armed with guns opened fire from a dark gray sedan with tinted windows. One victim, 29-year-old Aubrey McLeod from Maryland, died at the scene. The other five victims, including the two boys, were treated at hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made in the case. The Carver-Langston neighborhood has a history of violence, with previous incidents of gunfire resulting in fatalities. Residents are concerned about a potential increase in violence as more people gather outside during the spring and summer. D.C. Council member Zachary Parker and D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith have condemned the violence and called for targeted interventions to prevent ongoing disputes and retaliation. Both mothers of the injured boys plan to move out of the neighborhood for safety reasons.
#Shooting #Crime #Violence #NortheastDc #Carverlangston
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/04/11/homicide-gunfire-dc-children-shot/
Vietnamese court sentences tycoon to death in multibillion-dollar fraud case
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Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings, has been sentenced to death by a Vietnamese court in a multibillion-dollar fraud case. She was convicted of embezzling $12 billion from Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank into shell companies and received additional 20-year sentences for bribery and violating lending regulations. Lan's husband, Eric Chu, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his alleged involvement. The sentence is part of the Communist Party's efforts to crack down on corruption and attract international investment. Vietnam uses the death penalty for various crimes, including murder, rape, and fraud.
#Vietnam #Fraud #DeathSentence #Corruption #Embezzlement
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/11/vietnam-truong-my-lan-death-sentence/
Justice Dept. finalizes rules to close ‘gun show loophole’
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The Justice Department has finalized rules to close a loophole that allowed people to sell firearms online, at gun shows, and at other informal venues without conducting background checks. The rules, expected to take effect in 30 days, codify changes outlined in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act signed into law in June 2022. The rules clarify who is required to conduct background checks and aim to close the 'gun show loophole' by requiring anyone who sells a firearm through mail order, flea markets, gun shows, or online to register for a license and conduct necessary background checks. The rules are expected to apply to about 23,000 dealers and about 22 percent of Americans who have obtained guns without a background check. The regulations are likely to face legal challenges, but the White House and Justice Department officials are confident they align with the law and will withstand such challenges.
#GunShowLoophole #GunRegulation #BackgroundChecks #BipartisanSaferCommunitiesAct
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/11/gun-show-loophole-closed-biden-atf/
This is the most important app in America
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YouTube is the most popular social app and music service in America. It is also one of the largest cable TV providers and the healthiest economy on the internet. YouTube is No. 1 in video and music listening, with Americans spending more time watching YouTube on TV sets than any other streaming service. YouTube TV is one of the leading cable TV providers in the country. In terms of music, more people tune into YouTube than Spotify or any other audio service. YouTube is the most widely used social app among American adults and teens. It has a unique financial arrangement where video creators earn 55 cents from each dollar advertisers pay for commercials on their videos. YouTube's payment system is revolutionary and contributes to a healthy internet economy. YouTube has also been used as data fuel for training artificial intelligence by companies like OpenAI and Google. Despite its flaws, YouTube is an important and influential app.
#Youtube #SocialMedia #MusicService #CableTv #InternetEconomy #ArtificialIntelligence
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/09/most-important-app-youtube/
Justice Dept. declines to give Biden-Hur audio recordings to House committee
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The Justice Department has declined to provide audio recordings of President Biden's interviews with special counsel Robert K. Hur to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. The officials stated that since the lawmakers already have transcripts of the interviews, the request for audio recordings is more about scoring political points than seeking information. The interviews took place in October and played a key role in Hur's decision not to seek charges against Biden for mishandling classified documents. The Republicans have threatened to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt if the recordings are not turned over, but the Justice Department argues that the lawmakers have already received a significant amount of material from the Hur investigation. The department also warns that turning over the recordings could have a chilling effect on future interviews with high-profile individuals for sensitive investigations. In addition to the Biden interviews, the Justice Department has provided transcripts of Hur's interview with Biden's former ghostwriter, and the Republicans are also seeking the audio recordings of those interviews.
#JusticeDepartment #HouseCommittee #BidenhurAudioRecordings
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/04/08/biden-hur-audio-justice-house-subpoena/
Vance tries (and fails) to undermine jobs data by pointing to the border
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Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) claims that the increase in jobs reflected in monthly data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is heavily attributable to illegal immigration. However, the increase in employment during the Biden administration has been heavily a function of gains among those born outside the United States. From February 2017 to February 2020, 71 percent of jobs added in the United States went to native-born Americans, while from February 2021 to February 2024, 52 percent did. The density of native-born Americans in the workforce has trended down since 2010. The rate of change in employment under Biden is much sharper due to the economy rebounding from the pandemic. The increase in the size of the workforce this decade is predicted to be a function of first- and second-generation immigrants. Vance's efforts to disparage foreign-born workers and Biden are seen as an inherently political effort.
#JobsData #Immigration #Employment #BureauOfLaborStatistics #JdVance #BidenAdministration #NativebornAmericans #ForeignbornResidents
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/08/vance-immigration-job-numbers/
Trump revives his wish that immigrants came from rich White countries
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Donald Trump has revived his controversial rhetoric on immigration, expressing his desire for immigrants to come from rich White countries. In a fundraiser event, Trump made comments about immigrants coming from 'unbelievable places and countries, countries that are a disaster.' He then referenced his previous comments in 2018 when he referred to immigrants from Haiti, Central America, and Africa as coming from 'shithole' countries and questioned why the US couldn't receive immigrants from countries like Norway. There are two possible explanations for Trump's position on immigration: either he is deeply ignorant about immigration or he believes racist rhetoric is a successful political strategy. Trump often tries to portray immigrants as dangerous and refuses to acknowledge the economic pull that draws immigrants to the US. His rhetoric also has a racial subtext, as he complains about countries that are largely non-White, heightening racial fears among his target audience. Trump's motivations for his rhetoric may be a combination of both ignorance and racism. Immigration is a complex system, but the questions Trump asks are straightforward to answer.
#DonaldTrump #Immigration #Racism #PoliticalStrategy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/04/08/trump-immigration-rhetoric/
Vatican says ‘sex-change’ surgery risks threatening human ‘dignity’
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A Vatican document titled 'Dignitas infinita' warns that gender-affirming operations risk threatening human dignity and denounces attempts to obscure the sexual difference between man and woman. The document does not undo Pope Francis's more inclusive measures, but it separates the need to provide outreach to transgender people from the act of obtaining gender-affirming surgery. The Vatican also takes aim at gender theory, exalts heterosexuality, opposes surrogate pregnancies, and condemns euthanasia and assisted suicide. The document focuses on poverty, rising inequality, and the hoarding of wealth by corporations. It argues that the modern world has not truly reduced poverty and criticizes the obsession with reducing labor costs without concern for the consequences.
#Vatican #GenderaffirmingSurgery #HumanDignity #PopeFrancis #GenderTheory #Heterosexuality #SurrogatePregnancies #Euthanasia #AssistedSuicide #Poverty #Inequality #WealthHoarding #LaborCosts
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/08/vatican-transgender-surgery-pope-francis/
What's expected at Japanese PM Kishida's US visit? A major upgrade in defense ties
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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making an official visit to the United States this week. He will hold a summit with President Joe Biden to achieve a major upgrading of their defense alliance. Kishida hopes to further strengthen the alliance as China’s influence grows in the Indo-Pacific. Kishida is also reaching out to the American public to showcase Japan’s contribution to the U.S. economy and ensure stable relations regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election later this year. Expanding arms equipment and technology cooperation between the two countries and other like-minded partners is also highly important. Defense tops the agenda because of growing worries about threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Biden and Kishida are expected to agree on a plan to modernize their military command structures. Japan’s possible participation in a U.S.-U.K.-Australia security partnership and its contribution to NASA’s Artemis moon program may also come up. The first-ever trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. comes as the Philippines faces escalating maritime tension with China over their contested South China Sea claims. Kishida also wants to highlight Japan’s economic contributions in the U.S. He will meet with business leaders and visit Toyota’s electric vehicle battery factory and Honda’s business jet subsidiary in North Carolina.
#JapanesePrimeMinister #FumioKishida #UsVisit #DefenseTies #Summit #China #Indopacific #UsEconomy #ArmsEquipment #TechnologyCooperation #MilitaryCommandStructures #UsukaustraliaSecurityPartnership #Nasa'sArtemisMoonProgram #Philippines #MaritimeTension #SouthChinaSea #EconomicContributions #Toyota #Honda
What's expected at Japanese PM Kishida's US visit? A major upgrade in defense ties
==========
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making an official visit to the United States this week. He will hold a summit with President Joe Biden to achieve a major upgrading of their defense alliance. Kishida hopes to further strengthen the alliance as China’s influence grows in the Indo-Pacific. Kishida is also reaching out to the American public to showcase Japan’s contribution to the U.S. economy and ensure stable relations regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election later this year. Expanding arms equipment and technology cooperation between the two countries and other like-minded partners is also highly important. Defense tops the agenda because of growing worries about threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. Biden and Kishida are expected to agree on a plan to modernize their military command structures. Japan’s possible participation in a U.S.-U.K.-Australia security partnership and its contribution to NASA’s Artemis moon program may also come up. The first-ever trilateral summit between Biden, Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. comes as the Philippines faces escalating maritime tension with China over their contested South China Sea claims. Kishida also wants to highlight Japan’s economic contributions in the U.S. He will meet with business leaders and visit Toyota’s electric vehicle battery factory and Honda’s business jet subsidiary in North Carolina.
#JapanesePrimeMinister #FumioKishida #UsVisit #DefenseTies #Summit #China #Indopacific #UsEconomy #ArmsEquipment #TechnologyCooperation #MilitaryCommandStructures #UsukaustraliaSecurityPartnership #Nasa'sArtemisMoonProgram #Philippines #MaritimeTension #SouthChinaSea #EconomicContributions #Toyota #Honda