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News reports from around the world.

Puerto Rico power company suspends maintenance projects, sparks outages

Tue, Jun 25, 2024 at 8:36 am

( ) -q-19- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “on underground circuits.”

The private operator of Puerto Rico’s power grid has confirmed the deferral of $65 million worth of maintenance and improvement projects in the U.S. territory.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Luma Energy’s head of regulatory affairs, Mario Hurtado, tells The Associated Press the suspended projects, which he aims to bring back next year, risk more outages.

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VERBATIM: Some repairs have been postponed for at least a year because of budget constraints. The move puts at risk the already troubled grid and has sparked widespread outcry. Some of the deferred projects include maintenance of more than 100,000 light posts, fire mitigation and repairs on underground circuits.

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Maui’s leaders consider restricting vacation rentals loved by tourists

Tue, Jun 25, 2024 at 8:35 am

( ) -q– UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “overwhelming the island.”

The mayor of Maui County in Hawaii wants to stop owners of thousands of vacation properties from renting to visitors.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The units in question account for about half of Maui’s legally operated short-term rentals.

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VERBATIM: The mayor wants instead to have the units rented long-term to people who live on Maui to address a chronic housing shortage that intensified after last August’s deadly wildfire. His proposal faces multiple legislative and bureaucratic hurdles. The outcome will shape whether Maui continues to cater to tourists or whether it will curb tourism to address complaints that visitors are overwhelming the island.

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President Biden To Allow Iranian Absentee Voter Stations In U.S. .

Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 6:15 pm
President Biden will allow Iran to run absentee voter stations in the U.S. for its upcoming election. The decision has sparked protests from conservatives who note that Iran remains the world’s biggest stat sponsor of terrorist attacks, including against Americans. Richard Goldberg with the Foundation For the Defense of Democracies told Voice of America-quote-“How and why we would facilitate such a charade for a state sponsor of terrorism that is hunting Americans every day is beyond me,” The administration says this is not the fisrst time Iran has been allowed to use absentee voting stations inside the U.S.
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Danielle Pletka: “Arrogance” To Blame For Slow Weapons Shipments To Israel

Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Conservative commentator Danielle Pletka says out-of-touch officials in the Biden administration are making it hard for Israel to defend itself. Pletka tells the Salem Radio Network we’ve seen it before—in Ukraine—where just about every thing from airplanes to round of ammunition was “a day late and a dollar short.” She blames what she calls an “arrogant…lack of experience” for the delays, saying administration officials can’t seem to understand what’s at stake for Israel.
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Middle East Expert Says Israel Needs Weapons Soon To Face Hezbollah

Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 1:04 pm
One Middle-East expert says a war between Israel and Lebanon is only a matter of time, and time is running out. Jonathan Schanzer with the Federation For the Defense of Democracies say the clock has been ticking since the day Hamas invaded Israel. Soon it will be forced to do battle with an Iranian-backed force the size of the average European army.
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Defense Expert Cliff May Says Soft Times Leave U.S. Less Able To Defense Democracy

Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 3:11 pm
One defense expert fears the current generation may lack the historical perspective to take on the many challenges facing the U.S. from within and without. The Salem Radio Network asked May—founder of the Foundation For The Defense of Democracies—whether today’s young people understand the need to defend freedom. He says it “appears not”, and notes that the “greatest generation” as able to win the Cold War only because of hard lessons learned fighting in World War II.
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CBO Raises 2024 Deficit Projection $400-Billion To $1.9 Trillion

Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 2:01 pm
There’s troubling news about the U.S. economy in the latest report from the Congressional Budget Office. A CBO report released this week estimated the federal budget deficit will grow even larger this year than first forecast. Even as the president claims his policies are “working” for America, the CBO reports the defecit will grow to $1.9 TRILLION in 2024, a 400-BILLION dollar increase from earlier estimates. Major contributors include foreign aid, in increased Medicaid spending, and President Biden’s decision to cancel some $150-BILLION in student loan debt.
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Ben Domenech: Blinken Making Things Worse By Avoiding Escalation At All Costs

Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 1:58 pm
A well-known foreign policy expert says Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s effort to avoid escalation in actually having the opposite effect.  Political writer Ben Domenech says Blinken is committed to avoiding escalation in all foreign conflict. But he says that very mindset is making things worse. Domenech says just as in medicine so in military conflict, zero escalation is often not an option.
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US chipmaker onsemi will invest $2 billion in a chip production facility in the Czech Republic

Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 12:22 pm

( ) -q-21- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “day in Roznov.”

The U.S. chipmaker onsemi (ON seh mee) is planning a multi-year investment of up $2 billion in its production facility in the Czech Republic.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The government said the investment would increase production by hundreds of percent and create more jobs.

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VERBATIM: The government said the money will be invested in the company’s existing production facility in the eastern Czech town of Roznov. It’s the biggest single foreign investment in the country since the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993. Onsemi, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, currently produces 10 million chips a day in Roznov.

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US jobless claims fall to 238,000 from 10-month high, remain low by historical standards

Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 12:20 pm

( ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “unusual job security.”

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits slipped last week.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: The Labor Department reports jobless claims fell by 5,000 to 238,000 from a 10-month high of 243,000 the week before. The four-week average of claims rose by 5,500 to 232,750, the highest since September. Weekly unemployment claimsremain at low levels by historical standards, a sign that most Americans enjoy unusual job security.

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Swiss central bank cuts its main interest rate by 1/4 point, citing easing inflationary pressures

Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 12:17 pm

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “watchers by surprise.”

The Swiss National Bank says it has lowered its main policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: In lowering the rate to 1.25-percent from 1.5-percent, the bank cited a drop in “underlying inflationary pressure.” This, despite an uptick in some costs like rents, tourism services and oil products. The central bank became the first among counterparts in major financial centers this spring to cut interest rates, with a similar quarter-point reduction in March that caught many market watchers by surprise.

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EU criticizes France for excessive debt, putting pressure on Macron during election campaign

Thu, Jun 20, 2024 at 12:16 pm

( ) -q-23- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “take corrective action.”

The European Union’s executive arm is criticizing France for running up excessive debt.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: It’s a stinging rebuke at the height of France’s election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is fighting off challenges of the right and the left. France was among seven nations that were warranted by the E-U Commission to face a so-called “excessive deficit procedure.” It is the step in a long process before any member state can be hemmed in and moved to take corrective action.

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Trump-Endorsed Conservative Hung Cao Captures VA Senate Primary

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 1:34 pm
Trump-endorsed conservative Hug Cao (hung COW) has captured the GOP Senate primary in Virginia. The retired Navy Captain hopes to flip the seat of Democrat incumbent Tim Kaine in November. The outspoken conservative used a campaign ad to blame President Biden for the lawsuits against Donald Trump and for rising crime.. He also took aim at cancel culture’s attack on free speech—quote-”You know it. But you also know that you can’t say it. We’re forced to say that wrong is right.” Democrats are confident they can hold Kaine’s seat, but Republican election officials say there’s a good chance they can flip the seat from Blue to Red.
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Senator Ted Cruz Halts Bill That Would Give Free Broadband To Illegals

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Senator Ted Cruz [R-TX] is taking heat from leading Democrats for trying to keep the government from providing free internet serve to illegal aliens. Senator Cruz is demanding changes to a number of amendments to the Spectrum and National Security Act over what his critics-like Democrat Chuck Schumer [D-NY]-call “petty partisan culture wars.” Cruz wants the Senate Commerce Committee to change language that in his words would have given “free internet to illegal aliens, millions to antisemitic colleges, and billions to mega-corporations with no strings attached.”
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Doug Burgum: Trump Himself A “Deterrent” To Foreign Aggression

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 11:18 am
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum [R-ND] says electing Donald Trump could help the country save money on it’s defense budget. Burgum says it normally costs hundreds of billions of dollars to discourage aggression by U.S. adversaries. He says much of that money could be saved simply electing Donald Trump. He says Trump represents a 180-degree opposite of Joe Biden who he says has empowered Iran with billions of dollars, and seen new alliances form between Tehran, China, and Russia.
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Congressional Budget Office raises this year’s federal budget deficit projection by $400 billion

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 10:14 am

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “increased Medicaid spending.”

The Congressional Budget Office says it projects this year’s federal budget deficit to be $400 billion higher.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. One other factor was higher spending on FDIC insurance after the agency had not yet recovered payments it made after the banking crises of 2023 and 2024.

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VERBATIM: The latest projection represents a 27% increase compared to the CBO’s original estimate released in February. The major drivers of the change include: higher costs from the supplemental spending package signed in April that provides military aid to Ukraine and Israel. Other factors include higher than estimated costs of reducing student loan borrower balances and increased Medicaid spending.

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McDonald’s is ending its test run of AI-powered drive-thrus with IBM

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 10:13 am

( ) -q-31- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “down the road.”

Ever get your McDonald’s order mixed up at an AI-powered drive-thru?

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. Meanwhile, scores of other fast food chains have also begun exploring the implementation of AI in their drive-thru lanes — including Wendy’s, White Castle, Panera and Popeyes.

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VERBATIM: The experiment behind the fast food giant’s current automated order taker will soon be coming to a close. McDonald’s confirmed that it’s decided to end a global partnership with IBM, which has been testing this artifical intelligence technology at select McDonald’s drive-thrus since 2021. While the IBM partnership for McDonald’s current automated order taker is winding down, the Chicago-based company seemed to suggest that it wasn’t ruling other any other AI-related drive-thru plans down the road.

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UK inflation falls to Bank of England’s 2% target rate for first time in nearly 3 years

Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 10:12 am

( ) -v-32- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “std.”

Inflation in the U.K. has returned to the Bank of England’s target rate of 2% for the first time in nearly three years. Correspondent Jeremy House reports.

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VERBATIM: Britain’s Office for National Statistics says inflation fell to 2% in the year to May from 2.3% the month before with food prices providing the biggest downward contribution. The latest figure is being touted by the governing Conservative Party. which notes its economic plan is “working” ahead of the general election in just over two weeks. Meanwhile, the main opposition Labor Party say working people are “worse off,” with mortgage rates higher than they have been for years and taxes at a 70-year high.

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China shifts its aim in an investigation from Germany to European farmers

Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 8:20 am

( ) -q-19- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “on electric cars.”

The Chinese government is taking aim at European farmers instead of German automakers by launching an investigation into European Union pork imports.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. The investigation of EU pork imports will cover various products including fresh and frozen pork meat and several internal organs. It is expected to take one year.

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VERBATIM: Just days ago, the E.U. said it plans to impose provisional tariffs on China-made electric vehicles. China’s Commerce Ministry didn’t mention the EV tariffs when it announced that it is opening an anti-dumping investigation into pork from Europe. But the move is widely seen as a response to the EU move on electric cars.

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Majority of Americans favor forgiving medical debt, AP-NORC poll finds

Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 8:19 am

(    ) -q-27- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “a government priority.”

Majorities of Americans favor forgiving all or some of an individual’s medical debt if the person is facing hardships.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: That’s according to a new poll from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. It finds that about half of Americans say it’s extremely or very important for the U.S. government to provide debt relief for those who have yet to pay off medical treatments. While reducing student loan debt has been a focus for President Biden, the poll found that Americans are more likely to say medical debt relief should be a government priority.

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Grandson of Toyota founder wins shareholders’ approval to stay in leadership

Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 8:16 am

Toyota shareholders have voted in support of all of the company’s proposals at their annual meeting.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. A shareholder proposal requesting that Toyota issue an annual report on its climate-related lobbying activities was rejected.

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VERBATIM: One proposal included keeping Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the Japanese automaker’s founder, as chairman of the board. The annual meeting has drawn attention because Toyota and other major domestic makers have been embroiled in a scandal centered around fraudulent certification tests for vehicles. The cheating did not result in recalls or safety problems.

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Schumer Mocked For Fathers’ Day Grilling Post Fail

Mon, Jun 17, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer [D-NY] is facing ridicule for posting a picture of himself grilling hamburgers on Father’s Day. In a Father’ Day post on X Schumer includes a photo that shows him smiling over a grill filled with hot dogs and hamburger patties. Viewers quickly noticed the patties allappears to be raw-frozen in fat-including one covered with a slice of cheese. Critics quick to lampoon the Democrat leader included Donald Trump Jr who wrote “no one puts cheese on a raw beef patty,”. “If you need help learning how to do basic grilling stuff let me know.”\ Following a barrage of ridicule Schumer deleted his post on Monday.
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A new airport could spark the economy in a rural part of Florida

Mon, Jun 17, 2024 at 8:56 am

( ) -q-24- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “in adult education.”

A rural Florida county is hoping a new $300 million airport will transform its economy and create more than 1,400 new, high-skilled jobs.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting.

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VERBATIM: To make good on its promise however, Hendry County’s educators will have to overcome some harsh realities. A third of Hendry County’s working-age adults lack a high school diploma, while almost half speak a language other than English at home, among the highest in Florida. As the airport project pursues approval, community groups and schools are working to fill teacher shortages and making investments in adult education.

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The high cost of living is still biting the UK during PM campaign

Mon, Jun 17, 2024 at 8:55 am

( ) -q-25- UNDATED (Correspondent Jeremy House) “Labor Party wins.”

Since calling a general election for July 4, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been at pains to repeat a key message on the campaign trail.

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TAG: Correspondent Jeremy House reporting. While Sunak’s Conservatives are widely expected to lose after 14 years in power, the dire state of the economy and a deep disillusionment with politics and politicians means that the prevailing mood ahead of the election is one of malaise.

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VERBATIM: The message…The economy is turning a corner. Inflation is down. And things are looking up. But that’s not the reality for millions across the U.K. still feeling the squeeze from high food, energy and housing prices. The persistent cost-of-living crisis is a top concern for voters in the parliamentary election. There isn’t much excitement or hope for change, even if the opposition Labor Party wins.

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