U.S. Earns $50.6 Billion Profit on Student Interest
New figures show the U.S. government is reaping a huge windfall off of the interest on student loans. The Congressional Budget Office is forecasting a profit of $50.6 billion from the interest it charges students paying back their college debt. The figure is 43 percent higher than an initial estimate of $35.5 billion. The news comes days after Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced a measure that would lower student loan interest rates to 0.75 percent the same rate given to big banks. Rates for government-subsidized Stafford student loans are set to double in July to 6.8 percent.
Former U.S.-Backed Dictator of Chad Detained in Senegal, Accused of Crimes Against Humanity
The former U.S.-backed dictator of Chad has been detained in Senegal and could face charges of crimes against humanity more than 20 years after his ouster in a military coup. Hissène Habré ruled Chad from 1982 to 1990 before fleeing to Senegal. He has been accused of overseeing the torture and slaughter of tens of thousands of people from rival ethnic groups. Habrés trial would mark the first time an African leader has faced trial for human rights violations in another African country.
Service Workers Stage One-Day Strike in D.C.
Dozens of federally contracted service workers staged a one-day strike in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday in a call for higher pay. The strike covered fast food employees and other low-wage workers at the Ronald Reagan Building, which houses a number of federal agencies. It was the second such strike organized by the group Good Jobs Nation in D.C. in the last two months.