Washington Monument reopens, iOS 13 rollout: 5 things you need to know Thursday - USA TODAY

Editors USA TODAY

Published 3:03 AM EDT Sep 19, 2019

2020 candidates to participate in climate forum

Twelve Democratic presidential candidates will participate in a climate town hall Thursday and Friday at Georgetown University. Dubbed "Climate Forum 2020," the event comes after the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that carbon dioxide emissions need to fall by as much as 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 to avoid a climate change apocalypse.  Several top Democrats have yet to confirm their participation, including former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar, as well as former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke. The conversation will be moderated by MSNBC hosts Chris Hayes and Ali Velshi. 

• In case you missed it: CNN hosted a 7-hour town hall on climate change
• Climate change is just warming up. Here's how rising global temperatures are changing our way of life

Trump slaps down California on auto emissions standard in latest salvo against Golden State

The Trump administration is revoking California's waiver on auto emissions, a move that would undercut the state's decades-long ability to set stringent standards on tailpipe discharges. Officials with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation have scheduled a joint news conference Thursday to announce details of the decision. EPA officials sent the state a letter last week warning that the tougher emission rules violate federal law. Several other states had considered adopting California's standard, and four automakers — Ford, Volkswagen, BMW and Honda — signed an agreement this summer embracing the lower emission requirements, drawing a rebuke from President Donald Trump. State officials are threatening to sue the administration over the move.

• Deal "recognizes California's authority": 4 automakers reach emissions agreement with state, bucking rollback
• What the future may hold: Why automakers may not change their strategies
• Salvos against the Golden State: Trump battles California on multiple fronts

iOS 13: Apple rolls out new features for iPhones

Apple on Thursday officially releases iOS 13, the freshest version of its mobile operating system, which is compatible with models dating back to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Some of its new features include an optional darker design aesthetic, "look around" Maps, and a Photos app makeover with new editing tools for video. There's also a new "Sign in with Apple" service that's billed as an alternative to instant sign-on with Facebook or Google, with less sharing of our personal data with app makers. (Here are 13 hidden ways Apple's new software can breathe life into your aging iPhone.) The iOS launch comes a day before the official release of Apple's new iPhone 11 models. 

• More-secure? Signing on with Apple could be safer than Facebook or Google
• Goodbye, iPhone 6: What should I buy as a budget option now?

Washington Monument reopens 

After three long years, the Washington Monument is ready to welcome tourists. The 555-foot marble obelisk honoring America's first president will reopen Thursday morning. The monument will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.The tallest structure in Washington, the monument has been closed to the public since 2016. During that time, construction crews updated its elevator system and built a new security screening facility. 

• Take a look at how the monument celebrated the 50th anniversary of the moon landing in July
• Same-day tour tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis

Out of control? Student loan debt hits all-time high

The class of 2018 graduated college a little deeper in debt than the classes before them, a new report released Thursday finds. The average bachelor's degree holder owes about $29,200, about a 2% increase from the class of 2017, according to a newly released report by the Institute for College Access and Success. The conversation surrounding the nation’s $1.6 trillion of student loan debt has never been louder with Democratic presidential hopefuls, including U.S. senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, proposing sweeping plans that would reduce the price of college.  The Institute for College Success and Access collected data from about half of all public and private, not-for-profit universities for its report, and it says the figures represent more than 70% of all graduates.

• US News & World Report ranks America's 'best' colleges: Is there really a way to know?
• Student loans: Betsy DeVos rule change means college students must fight for loan forgiveness

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/09/19/washington-monument-reopens-ios-13-student-loans/2347662001/

2019-09-19 07:03:00Z
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