Tuesday morning news: April 9, 2024

Yellen wraps up China trip, Lavrov arrives » Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen just wrapped up four days of high-stakes meetings in Beijing. She says open communication has put a rocky relationship on firmer footing.

YELLEN: This progress matters. Given the size of our economies, the U.S.-China economic relationship is among the most important bilateral economic relationships in the world.

But the two governments will continue to clash on a range of issues. Among them is China’s aggressive production of cheaper electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries.

The White House worries about Chinese overproduction driving down prices and undercutting other producers at a time when the Biden Administration is subsidizing green energy projects in the U.S.

YELLEN: When the global market is flooded by artificially cheap Chinese products, the viability of American and other foreign firms is put into question.

Yellen raised other issues including security concerns tied to the popular TikTok app which is owned by a Chinese company. And China’s support for Russia. It’s worth noting as Yellen departs Beijing Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov just arrived.

Economist David Bahnsen says it’s not immediately clear whether the trip was a success and besides China’s not likely to commit when it’s not sure who it’ll be dealing with next year.

BAHNSEN: Most things that are on the table with U.S.-China economic and trade relations are very likely to take place in 2025. I do not expect much needle-moving activity in an election year.

Yellen was expected to leave China today.

Biden student debt » President Biden is making another push to cancel student debt with the election less than seven months away.

BIDEN: My administration will propose a new rule to cancel up to $20,000 in runaway interest for any borrower that owes more now than when they started paying the loan.

Biden made the announcement in the critical battleground state of Wisconsin.

The proposal is less ambitious than an earlier plan to erase billions in student debt which the Supreme Court found to be unconstitutional.

The president says the plan could help millions of Americans to get ahead.

Republicans say Biden wants taxpayers who didn’t go to college to foot the bill for those who did.

Trump pro-life stance » Donald Trump says abortion in the post-Roe era is a state-level issue, and that is where it should stay.

TRUMP: My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint. The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land, in this case, the law of the state.

For weeks, it appeared he was inching toward endorsing nationwide restrictions on abortion after 15 or 16 weeks. But he made clear on Monday that he does not support protections for the unborn at the federal level.

In a statement, he also endorsed in-vitro fertilization and suggested the Republicans need to be careful not to politically over-reach on life issues.

TRUMP: You must follow your heart on this issue, but remember, you must also win elections to restore our culture and in fact, to save our country.

Trump added that Democrats were the ones who are radical on the issue with many supporting unfettered abortion.

SOUND: [Israeli protesters]

Gaza latest » Demonstrators in the Israeli city of Sderot demanding that Israel continue its offensive against Hamas.

Demonstrator Yael Lasri:

LASRI: We didn’t start the war. They did. Okay? They murdered 1,200 of our people!

Over the weekend, the Israeli military pulled out of the West Bank city of Khan Younis, ending a months-long operation ahead of a planned ground offensive in the city of Rafah.

SOUND: [Palestinian weeps]

One Palestinian woman heard weeping at the destruction left behind saying she has nowhere to sleep tonight.

Meanwhile, efforts continue to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the terrorist group.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby:

KIRBY: A proposal has been presented to Hamas, and we’re waiting on Hamas’ response.

Kirby said he expects a response in a matter of days.

Red Sea mission to repel Houthis » A European Union naval fleet has warded off Houthi rebel attacks against roughly a dozen commercial ships in the Middle East over the past two months.

The mission has been dubbed Aspides, which is Greek for “shield.”

Operation commander Vasilios Gryparis …

GRYPARIS: Aspides is proud to say that so far, all protected vessels have been successfully safeguarded throughout these attacks, and that all ships that requested protection have been escorted.

But Gryparis says the attacks are unrelenting, and he’s appealing for more military assets to defend the critical shipping lane.

Iran-backed Houthi terrorists have launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea in November after the start of the war in Gaza.

Boeing Vessel Engine Cover » The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a pair of safety incidents over the past week involving Southwest Airlines flights.

On Sunday, an engine cover fell off and struck a wing flap just after takeoff out of Denver.

AUDIO: Let's go ahead and declare an emergency for Southwest 3695, and we'd like an immediate return.

The Boeing 737 landed safely.

In a statement, Southwest said its maintenance teams “are reviewing the aircraft.”

That incident came just days after a reported engine fire forced pilots on a runway in Lubbock, Texas to turn around and head back to the gate.

NCAA championship » The men’s and women’s college basketball crowns have been claimed. WORLD’s Alex Carmenaty reports:

ALEX CARMENATY: Monday night saw the UConn men's basketball team win its second straight national championship in a 75-60 victory over Purdue. Fifth year senior Guard Tristen Newton led the way with 20 points.

The Huskies are the first program in nearly 20 years to win back to back national titles.

One day earlier, the University of South Carolina women's basketball team defeated Iowa 87-75.

Six foot seven Center Kamilla Cardoso scored 15 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.

South Carolina finished the season with a perfect 38-0 record.

The win also marked the program's third national title under Head Coach Dawn Staley.

For WORLD, I’m Alex Carmenaty.

I’m Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: new challenges for Israel after 6 months of war. Plus, using satellites to help fight fires.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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