## Biden administration rolls out new student debt plan, this time aimed at people with big debts

Authored by cbsnews.com

Biden administration deleting $4.5 billion in student loan debt for 66,000+ borrowers Biden administration deleting $4.5 billion in student loan debt for 66,000+ borrowers 01:22.

The Biden administration's efforts to erase student debt for the 46 million Americans who are carrying college loans have repeatedly hit legal roadblocks.

Now, the Department of Education is rolling out a new plan that could provide debt relief to 8 million borrowers who are suffering from financial hardships.

The new plan, unveiled Friday, would provide loan relief for approximately 8 million people with student loans who are suffering financial distress caused by other debts, ranging from medical expenses to costs due to a natural disaster.

Under the proposal, there would be two ways borrowers could qualify for the debt relief.

"A big reason why we're fighting for student debt relief is to address the more than 1 million defaults we see annually in the student loan system," he said.

"Financing a college education is supposed to help students climb the economic ladder, not leave them buried in a ditch," Cardona said. »

### 'Days of Repentance': Israel strikes multiple targets across Iran in retaliatory strikes

Authored by jpost.com

Several of the strikes in Tehran targeted military bases across southern and southwestern Tehran, according to Iranian media.

Reports of explosions at the Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital were also received.

On Friday, a fire was reported at an Iranian Defense Ministry site in Tehran, although the Tehran Fire Department denied any connection. »

### At least a dozen mailed ballots intercepted in Mesa County before Colorado voters received them

Authored by cbsnews.com

At least a dozen mailed ballots were intercepted and cast on the Western Slope before voters received them, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

Three of those ballots were cast and counted in Mesa County before the county clerk was able to pull them from the final tally.

Griswold said that four of the ballots made it through the initial round of signature verification and that at least three voters had received communication from the Mesa County Clerk. »

### Baldur's Gate 3 publishing chief calls out Ubisoft's 'broken strategy': If gamers need to get used to not owning games, 'developers must get used to not having jobs'

Authored by pcgamer.com

"The last notable game on their platform was arguably Far Cry 6 in 2021," Douse posted on X (via GamesRadar ).

"The Crew, Mirage and Avatar came in 2023 and didn’t perform, so you can assume subscriptions were at a lull when PoP released by 2024.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown did eventually come to Steam , but not until August 8, seven months after its initial release. »

### Microsoft CEO's pay rises 63% to $79m, despite devastating year for layoffs

Authored by eurogamer.net

Microsoft boss Satya Nadella will earn a wallet-busting $79.1m (£60.9m) this financial year, up 63 percent on his compensation for 2023.

The huge boost to Nadella's pay in both cash and stock, announced by Microsoft last night, comes after a positive year overall for the company's financial revenues - but a turbulent 12 months for its employees.

2024 has seen two mass layoffs at Microsoft, with 1900 staff laid off in January, before a further 650 Xbox employees were shown the door in September. »

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