Thursday morning news: August 25, 2022

For WORLD Radio, I'm Kristen Flavin. 

Student debt » President Biden on Wednesday rolled out plans to cancel up to $10,000 in federal college loans.

He told reporters at the White House…

BIDEN: Nearly 45 percent can have their student debt fully canceled. That’s 20 million people.

That’s for those earning less than $125,000 a year. Low-income households that took a Pell grant are eligible for an additional $10,000 loan-forgiveness.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said many Americans don’t borrow or go to college…

MCCONNELL: And then there are those Americans who borrowed money to pay for school and paid it back. In what way is it fair to those taxpayers?

Biden also said he’s extending the pause on student loan repayment one last time.

BIDEN: I’m extending it till December 31, 2022, and it’s going to end at that time.

Republicans question whether the president has the legal authority to cancel the debt. And some economists say the move could further fuel inflation.

U.S. Syria airstrike » The U.S. military conducted a precision airstrike in Syria on Wednesday, targeting Iran-backed militias.

Colin Kahl is Undersecretary of Defense for Policy. He said the strike was a response to recent attacks on U.S. military personnel.

KHAL: This operation is a demonstration that the United States will not hesitate to defend itself against Iranian and Iran-backed aggression when it occurs.

The Pentagon says U.S. forces accomplished their mission of destroying infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Aid to Ukraine » The United States has announced roughly $3 billion in additional military aid to Ukraine.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said this will add to an already massive investment in helping Ukraine repel Russian invaders.

KIRBY: The president has committed an unprecedented $13.5 billion dollars of security assistance alone to Ukraine.

This $3-billion measure marks the largest single aid package the United States has provided to date.

The Pentagon says this package is focused not on immediate needs, but rather on the big picture.

It includes money for various weaponized drones and the Vampire anti-drone system. It will also pay for missile systems, counter-artillery radars, and more than 300,000 rounds of artillery and ammunition.

Ukraine Independence Day » The announcement came as Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day.

One Kyiv resident said Russia has not crushed the spirit of the Ukrainian people.

AUDIO: It’s very scary but people are different. People are determined, united, and we all believe in our victory. And we really need Europe to still support us and to stand with us till our victory to celebrate together.

To mark the occasion, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a surprise visit to Kyiv.

JOHNSON: We have an opportunity to join you in saying no to tyranny, saying no to those who would stifle Ukrainian liberty and independence.

Ukraine declared independence in 1991 from the Soviet Union.

President Biden called the holiday a “bittersweet” occasion amid Russia’s bloody invasion. But he said “six months of relentless attacks have only strengthened Ukrainians’ pride in themselves, in their country,” and in their independence.

Federal judge blocks HHS abortion guidance » In Texas, a federal judge said doctors are not required to perform an abortion as a part of emergency care. WORLD’s Mary Muncy has more.

MARY MUNCY, REPORTER: Hospitals in the Medicare program are legally required to provide emergency care to patients, regardless of whether they can pay for it.

That’s part of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act.

But the Department of Health and Human Services has interpreted that law to mean doctors must provide abortions to protect the life and health of the mother.

But U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix disagreed. He said the law requires doctors to protect the mother and the baby.

He also said that the HHS interpretation does not override state law.

Texas protects babies in every case except to save the life of the mother.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Mary Muncy.

Lapid on Iran nuke deal » State Department spokesman Ned Price confirmed on Wednesday that the United States has responded to Iran’s latest offer to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.

He did not provide details about that offer or the Biden administration’s response.

But Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid said he’s troubled by what he’s seen.

LAPID: Israel is not against any agreement. We are against any agreement … because it is a bad one. It does not meet the standards set by President Biden himself preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear state.

Lapid said Western nations are too quick to concede to Iranian demands.

LAPID: The countries of the West draw a red line, the Iranians ignore it and the red line moves. if the Iranians didn't take it why didn't the world leave it?

Any nuclear deal would certainly include major sanctions relief. And Lapid said Iran would use unfrozen cash to fund terrorism and undermine stability in the Middle East.

I'm Kristen Flavin. For more news, features, and analysis, visit us at wng.org. 

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