US extends deadline on Nippon’s bid for US Steel, offering some hope

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The bid by Japan’s Nippon Steel to buy U.S. Steel may have a new lease on life, now that the Biden Administration pushed back the deadline it imposed for the Japanese steelmaker to abandon its plan to acquire the storied Pittsburgh company. That’s after President Joe Biden blocked the deal. The extra time was viewed by U.S. Steel and investors as an opportunity for the companies to complete the acquisition. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office in a week, also opposes the deal. But U.S. Steel says it’s pleased with the extension to June 18 and that it looks forward to completing the deal. Shares of U.S. Steel rose in morning trading.

Millions have had student loans canceled under Biden, despite the collapse of forgiveness plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite failing to deliver his promise for broad student loan forgiveness, President Joe Biden has now overseen the cancellation of student loans for more than 5 million Americans — more than any other president in U.S. history. In a last-minute action on Monday, the Education Department canceled loans for 150,000 borrowers through programs that existed before Biden took office. His administration expanded those programs and used them to their fullest extent, pressing on with cancellation even after the Supreme Court rejected Biden’s plan for a new forgiveness policy. But the wave of cancellation could dry up when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

Syed’s motion to reduce his sentence to time served is backed by prosecutors

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore prosecutors have filed a motion supporting Adnan Syed’s recent request to have his sentence reduced to time served. If granted, it would essentially ensure he remains free as he awaits further court decisions in the decadeslong legal saga that amassed a large following from the hit podcast “Serial.” Syed was released from prison in 2022 after prosecutors asked a judge to overturn his murder conviction, but challenges from the victim’s family later led to his conviction being reinstated pending a new hearing. Attorneys for Hae Min Lee’s family argue it’s premature to consider a sentence reduction while the integrity of the conviction is undecided.

Supreme Court declines to hear appeal from oil and gas companies

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is declining to hear an appeal from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The high court said Monday it won’t hear from the companies seeking to block lawsuits from dozens of state and local governments. The governments argue the companies have deceived the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change. Several Texas-based oil and gas companies appealed to the Supreme Court after Hawaii’s highest court allowed a lawsuit to proceed. The companies say the suits present a serious threat to their industry and must be moved to federal court, where they’ve been tossed out before.