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Debt relief as Biden forgives billions in student loans

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Biden cancels $10,000 of federal student loan debt for certain borrowers making less than $125,000 per year

After months of spirited debate, President Joe Biden has formally announced a federal student loan relief plan.

On Wednesday, the President said in White House remarks that the action is aimed at helping “families who need it the most.”

According to the details, borrowers who have loans with the Department of Education and make less than $125,000 a year are eligible for up to $20,000 in student loan forgiveness if they received Pell Grants for college.

Additionally, individuals who make less than $125,000 a year but did not receive Pell Grants are able to receive for $10,000 in loan forgiveness.

The Biden administration not only announced these plans but also said that undergraduate federal loans can cap their payment at 5% of their monthly income.

Another major initiative from the White House is news that they will extend the pandemic-era pause on student loan repayments until Dec. 31—just one final time.

Despite increasing the debt, Biden said he would ‘never apologize’ for helping the “middle class.”

During the afternoon address, the President also defended his administration’s move to restart frozen federal student loan payments at the end of the year, saying this is an “economically responsible course” that will prevent his targeted student loan cancellation from having a “meaningful effect on inflation.”

However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed Biden’s announcement, saying that Democrats have “found yet another way to make inflation even worse, reward far-left activists, and achieve nothing for millions of working American families who can barely tread water.”

Veronica Dudo is the U.S. Correspondent for Ticker News covering America’s biggest headlines. As an Emmy® Award nominated global journalist, Veronica has traveled across the country and around the world reporting on historical events that connect all citizens. Lauded as an award-winning international journalist, Veronica has executed stellar news coverage for NBC News, CBS News, The Hill, ME-TV Network and AOL. Her stories have highlighted a plethora of topics ranging from breaking news and politics to economic affairs across the USA, European Union, and Asia; cultural affairs; globalization; governance; education; and sustainability.

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Coldplay kiss-cam moment boosts visibility for Astronomer

Coldplay kiss-cam moment inadvertently boosts awareness of little-known IT company Astronomer amid online speculation and scrutiny

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Coldplay kiss-cam moment inadvertently boosts awareness of little-known IT company Astronomer amid online speculation and scrutiny

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In Short:
– Coldplay concert kiss-cam moment increased interest in IT company Astronomer.
– Astronomer is investigating the incident while providing AI data integration infrastructure.
How a Viral Coldplay kiss-cam moment recently drew attention to a lesser-known IT company, Astronomer. Following an incident at a Coldplay concert where CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot were caught on the kiss cam, interest in the company surged.Banner

Post-incident, searches for “What is Astronomer” spiked as Byron’s unexpected appearance prompted comments from Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The company confirmed that Byron is married. By the week’s end, Astronomer had gained unprecedented visibility.

Astronomer has stated its board is conducting a formal investigation into the incident, emphasising accountability in leadership conduct.

Founded in 2018, Astronomer provides critical infrastructure for AI data integration, having worked with prominent companies like Apple and Ford. With over 300 employees and substantial funding, Astronomer leverages Apache Airflow to enhance data orchestration capabilities.

Publicity Impact

Experts suggest the publicity may have mixed effects on the company’s reputation, which is vital in the tech industry.

“On the plus side, we’ve all heard of Astronomer now, right?” Liz Leslie, a San Francisco-based digital marketing director wrote on LinkedIn.

“While the visibility puts a spotlight on who Astronomer is, this is not usually the kind of publicity that brings in new customers,” said Peter Davenport, senior strategic consultant at brand, marketing and communications specialist Definition. “In fact, it threatens to erode trust and authority built over years, especially in industries where reputation and reliability matter most.”


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Travelers to the US face new $250 visa fee

New US visa integrity fee of $250 introduced for travellers amid concerns over implementation and increased costs

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New US visa integrity fee of $250 introduced for travellers amid concerns over implementation and increased costs

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In Short:
– A new $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ will apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants in the U.S.
– The fee could deter tourists and international students due to increased costs and budget concerns.

Visitors to the United States will soon face a new $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ as mandated by the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This fee applies to all non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, business travellers, and international students, and cannot be waived. There are possibilities for reimbursement, contingent on visa compliance.Banner

The fee will be applicable during the U.S. fiscal year 2025 and is subject to inflation adjustments thereafter. It must be paid in addition to existing fees, bringing total costs significantly higher for many visa applicants. Implementation details are unclear, including the process for fee collection and reimbursement, which may take years to establish.

Impact Expected

The new fee could deter B visa holders and international students over budget concerns, particularly as the U.S. prepares for major events in 2026. Furthermore, funding cuts to Brand USA, the organisation responsible for promoting U.S. travel, jeopardise inbound tourism efforts. The U.S. Travel Association indicates additional fees complicate the travel process.


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Trump plans to sue Murdoch over Epstein letter claims

Trump threatens legal action against Murdoch over Wall Street Journal’s report linking him to Epstein’s birthday letter

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Trump threatens legal action against Murdoch over Wall Street Journal’s report linking him to Epstein’s birthday letter

In Short:
– Trump plans to sue Murdoch and News Corp over a false report regarding a letter to Epstein.
– He requests Bondi to release grand jury testimony, but some supporters have mixed reactions.

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue Rupert Murdoch and News Corp following a report from The Wall Street Journal. This report alleges Trump wrote a sexually suggestive letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003.In a post on Truth Social, Trump rejected the claims, labelling the letter “FAKE” and criticising the newspaper’s coverage. He stated that he had previously alerted Murdoch to the letter’s inauthenticity, but the publication proceeded with the story.

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Trump further requested Attorney-General Pam Bondi to release any relevant grand jury testimony concerning Epstein, a move that some believe does not meet the expectations of his supporters. Bondi confirmed that the Justice Department is prepared to seek the unsealing of these documents.

Client List

Trump’s commentary on the Epstein allegations highlights a growing division within his supporters regarding Epstein’s supposed client list. Despite claims by many, the FBI has stated it will not release additional documents related to Epstein’s case.

Trump has previously downplayed concerns about the allegations, attributing them to partisan attacks by “Radical Left Democrats.”

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