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Washington CNN —The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment on George Washington University’s campus early Wednesday and arrested 30 protesters there and three others in a separate altercation, Metro Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said. Yet after police cleared the encampment, House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, announced the hearing was canceled and took credit for spurring action. GW’s encampment was set up about two weeks ago in the University Yard, a grassy square on campus surrounded by a food hall and university buildings. Officers deployed pepper spray three timesPeople listen as activists and students protest near an encampment at University Yard, George Washington University on April 28, in Washington, DC. Ahmed El Masry, a demonstrator at the GW encampment, said he left the encampment at about 2 a.m. but rushed back about two hours later when he heard police were working to clear the space.

Persons: George Washington, Pamela A, Smith, Muriel Bowser, James Comer, Mayor Bowser, ” Comer, Ellen Granberg, “, Kent Nishimura, Jeffery Carroll, GW, ” GW, Ahmed El Masry, ”, …, “ I’m, we’ve, ” Dante O’Hara, ” O’Hara, –, Joyce F, Brown, spokespeople, ” Brown, Chancellor Javier Reyes, George Floyd, Pam Smith Organizations: Washington CNN, The Metropolitan Police Department, Metro Police, Washington, Republican, Police, University Yard, MPD, Yard, George Washington University, GW Police, ”, Police Department’s, DC, Coalition, UMass, Amherst, CNN, Fashion Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts, NYPD, Massachusetts Daily Collegian, University of Massachusetts Police Department, DC Metropolitan Police Locations: Washington , DC, Kentucky, Gaza, Israel, “, GWU, New York City, Amherst

☆ Key student-debt relief programs are at risk if Congress doesn't boost Education Department funding, 25 Democratic lawmakers say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Elizabeth Warren led a group of Democrats in pushing for increased Federal Student Aid funding. AdvertisementA group of Democratic lawmakers is pointing to one key thing that will help student-loan borrowers and families navigate financial aid: more funding. Advertisement"FSA's responsibilities have increased to protect students and borrowers, but its federal funding has remained stagnant," they wrote. AdvertisementWhen it comes to the FAFSA, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been highly critical of the way the Education Department has facilitated the rollout. The Education Department is also in the process of crafting its broader student-debt relief plan, which is currently in the public comment period.

Persons: Sen, Elizabeth Warren, —, Massachusetts Sen, Tammy Baldwin, Shelley Moore Capito, Joe Biden's, Biden, Secretary Miguel Cardona, Cardona Organizations: Federal Student Aid, Service, Democratic, Massachusetts, Sens, Republicans, Business, Education Department, Public, Republican, Secretary

☆ Businesses add $90 billion in surprise 'junk fees' each year, and it's starting to backfire
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Businesses are adding $90 billion in fees to consumer's bills each year, according to one estimate. US consumers spend more than $650 a year per household on "junk fees," per the CEA. AdvertisementBusinesses are adding $90 billion in surprise "junk fees" to customers' bills each year — and it is starting to backfire. Junk fees are hidden costs that are added to product prices. Last June, President Joe Biden said his administration had taken steps to crack down on junk fees.

Persons: —, Noelle Weaver, Bradley Walker, Walker, Merrilee Bridgeman, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, White House Council, Economic Advisers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Wall Street, Democratic Locations: New Orleans, Charlotte , North Carolina

☆ Campus protests, FAFSA delays plagued college admissions this year—how it affects incoming students, from college counselors
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | In Kamaronmcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This year's college admissions cycle is wrapping up, and it's been eventful. Before high school seniors even started submitting applications in the fall, several factors were poised to shake up the admissions season. Separately, college students and administrators' responses to the Israel-Hamas war has brought even greater scrutiny to higher education institutions. And despite issues like the FAFSA delays, some colleges still wanted incoming students to make a decision — and a deposit — by May 1. Durso Finley and Burks Becker shared insights from what they've seen working with students and families throughout this unusual school year.

Persons: it's, Jeffrey Durso Finley, Holly Burks Becker, Durso Finley, Burks Becker Organizations: Federal Student Aid, College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, University of Southern, The Lawrenceville School, CNBC Locations: Israel, University of Southern California, New Jersey

☆ Brazil floods: Images from space reveal airport runway and football field submerged
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Paul P. Murphy | Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Overview of the Guaiba River in Porto Alegre, Brazil, captured on April 21, before the area was flooded, and May 7, during floods. Maxar Technologies Overview of the Guaiba River in Porto Alegre, Brazil, captured on May 7, amid flooding. Maxar Technologies Porto Alegre's Salgado Filho International Airport is pictured under flood water on May 7. Maxar Technologies Porto Alegre's Salgado Filho International Airport is seen before flooding, left, and with its runways submerged under flood waters, right. Maxar Technologies The Gremio Arena in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is seen flooded on May 7.

Persons: Cai Rivers, Salgado, Alegre's Salgado, El Niño, Neymar Jr, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Organizations: CNN, Technologies, Maxar Technologies, Porto, Maxar, Gremio Arena, Arena, Gremio, Brazilian Football Confederation Locations: Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Pacific

☆ Opinion: Russia can lose this war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Opinion Timothy Snyder | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

And far too many of us, during Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, have believed that. Of its three most consequential foreign wars, the Red Army lost two. And the Russian army of today is not the Red Army. It was disproportionately Ukrainians who fought their war to Berlin in the uniform of the Red Army. Russia can lose this war, and should, for the sake of Russians themselves.

Persons: Timothy Snyder, Richard C, Levin, “, ”, Read, Leonid Brezhnev, Putin, Alexander Nemenov, Brezhnev, Vladimir Putin, Robert Nickelsberg Organizations: Global Affairs, Yale University, CNN, Russia, Getty, Red, Red Army, Soviet, Lease, Russian Empire, Russo, Fascism Locations: Nazi Germany, Russia, Ukraine, AFP, Poland, Afghanistan, USSR, Soviet Ukraine, Berlin, United States, Russian, Crimean, Japanese, Europe, Pacific, Kabul, Soviet Union, Crimea, Japan, Soviet, Ukrainian

☆ Live Updates: House to Examine K-12 Schools in Latest Antisemitism Hearing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Dana Goldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

He can expect a grilling over concerns of antisemitism at city schools, including at his alma mater, Hillcrest High School in Queens. “That’s not an issue of taking sides,” Mr. Banks said. New York City is one of the most diverse school districts in the world with large number of Jewish, Arab and Muslim families. Mr. Banks, who has twice traveled to Israel, added that he was “profoundly moved” on a visit to Yad Vashem, the country’s official Holocaust memorial. After watching university leaders at the two prior hearings on antisemitism, Mr. Banks said his greatest takeaway was simply to be authentic.

Persons: David Banks, “ we’ve, ” David C, Banks, Claudine Gay, Liz Magill, Nemat, ”, “ That’s, “, we’ve, Yad Vashem, I’m Organizations: New, Columbia University, House Education, Work Force, Hillcrest High School, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, New York, Muslim Locations: New York City, —, Israel, Queens, America, Gaza, Yad, New York

If we really care about solving for antisemitism, and I believe this deeply, it’s not about having gotcha moments. And we’ve got to figure out how do we unpack all of it at the same time. But the ultimate answer for antisemitism is to teach, to expose young people to the Jewish community so that they understand our common humanity. This, this convening for too many people across America in education feels like the ultimate gotcha moment. It doesn’t sound like people are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for.

Persons: it’s, we’ve Locations: America

☆ Marjorie Taylor Greene isn't so powerful after all
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewRep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is backing off her threat to oust Speaker Mike Johnson — for now. It was already unlikely that Ukraine aid would come up again this year after Congress approved another $60 billion last month. It was already unlikely that Ukraine aid would come up again this year after Congress approved another $60 billion last month. House Republicans already have a rule requiring this, though it's been violated a number of times, including on Ukraine aid. House Republicans already have a rule requiring this, though it's been violated a number of times, including on Ukraine aid.

Persons: —, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Johnson —, Johnson, Thomas Massie of, it's, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Greene, Trump, Kevin McCarthy, sapping Organizations: Service, Georgia Republican, Business, House Republicans, Republicans, of, Democratic, Republican, Democrats Locations: Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Ukraine

☆ Top minds at Milken unveil what they're seeing under the surface of the US economy as the national debt burden rises to nauseating levels
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

For the 27th straight year, some of the brightest minds from across the business world descended on Beverly Hills in early May to attend the Milken Institute Global Conference. But while speculation stole headlines, Milken speakers spent much of their time fixated on the state of the US economy. But despite continued concerns about stagflation, Milken speakers overwhelmingly expressed confidence about economic growth at a May 6 session called "Global Markets at Inflection." "The economy is still extremely strong, consumers are still doing really well, businesses are still doing really well," Scharf said. Though far from perfect, the US is still the best place to investDespite the $34.7 trillion anvil hanging over the economy, Milken speakers widely agreed that the US is still the best place to invest and operate a company.

Persons: Elon Musk, he's, Milken, Wells, Franklin Templeton, Gerard Baker, Andre Esteves, Jenny Johnson, Charlie Scharf, Scharf, we've, it's, you've, hasn't, Sam, Joshua Friedman, Anne Walsh, Friedman, Esteves, they've, Johnson, " Scharf, Wells Fargo Organizations: Milken Institute Global, SpaceX, Business, Milken, The, Consumers, Starbucks, Canyon Partners, Investors, Guggenheim Investments, Milken Institute Global Conference, US Locations: Beverly Hills, Wells Fargo, Brazil, McDonald's, Washington

☆ Video targeting Muslims faces India police probe as critics accuse Modi’s party of divisive election campaign
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Police in southern India are investigating a senior leader of the country’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over a campaign video targeting Muslims, as critics accuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running an increasingly divisive election. The party has long denied being anti-Islam but opposition politicians and prominent Muslims have warned that its leaders have been deploying openly divisive rhetoric to turbo-charge their campaign. The video was removed Wednesday after a request to X from India’s Election Commission to take it down. Modi’s speech ignited widespread anger among Muslim leaders and opposition politicians and calls for election authorities to investigate. BJP party spokespeople subsequently said Modi was talking about undocumented migrants.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Vijayendra, “, Rahul Gandhi, Critics, Manickam Tagore, ”, Modi’s, Modi, –, spokespeople, Rana Ayyub Organizations: CNN — Police, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, CNN, India’s, Times Locations: India, Karnataka, Congress, Rajasthan, Islam

☆ Russia pounds Ukraine with biggest airstrikes in weeks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Olga Voitovych | Martin Goillandeau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Russia carried out a “massive” missile attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight into Wednesday, according to local authorities, in the biggest aerial onslaught by Russian forces for weeks. Russia used 76 air attack weapons in the assault, including 55 missiles and 21 drones launched from Russia and Russian controlled areas, according to Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk. Rescuers assess the ruins of a building, damaged by a Russian missile attack in Kyiv region, Ukraine on May 8, 2024. Handout/Ukrainian Emergency Service/APMoscow has stepped up efforts to paralyze Ukraine’s energy system in the past month, as Kyiv’s troops struggle to hold positions on key frontlines particularly in the east. The latest Russian attack hit three thermal power plants run by Ukraine’s biggest power company, DTEK.

Persons: Mykola Oleshchuk, Herman Halushchenko, ” Halushchenko, Maksym Kozytskyi, Volodymyr Zelensky, ” Organizations: CNN, Ukrainian Air Force, country’s Energy, Emergency, AP, Ukraine’s, Nazism Locations: Russia, Russian, Ukraine’s Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano, Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Handout, AP Moscow, Avdiivka, Ukraine’s, Chervonohrad, Stryi

☆ A Ukrainian tank crew says the Abrams is still being used on the front lines, but isn't finding 'tank-on-tank' battles where it has the edge
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A Ukrainian tank crew told state media they're still using the Abrams tank on the front lines. A Ukrainian Abrams commander told Army TV that the tanks weren't withdrawn but are used situationally. AdvertisementA Ukrainian tank crew says the US-supplied Abrams is still viable on the front lines, but the tank-on-tank battles where it excels have been few and far between. Advertisement"WHERE IS UKRAINIAN ABRAMS: how the legendary American tank fights at the front," its title reads. At least five Abrams tanks have been reported lost in combat, with another three damaged.

Persons: Abrams, Ukrainian Abrams, —, Kyiv hadn't, Dmytro, Alexey, Biden Organizations: Pentagon, Abrams, Army, Service, Associated Press, Kyiv, Mechanized Brigade, Ukraine's Defense Ministry, YouTube, ABRAMS, Business Insider, Russian, AP, Russia, Congress Locations: Ukrainian, Ukraine, Hill

☆ Huawei: US revokes some export licenses for selling semiconductors to Chinese company
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

A fourth person said some of the companies were notified on Tuesday that their licenses were revoked effective immediately. The U.S. Commerce Department earlier in the day confirmed it had revoked some licenses but stopped short of naming the companies. “We have revoked certain licenses for exports to Huawei,” the Commerce Department said in a statement, declining to specify which ones it had withdrawn. The move could hurt Huawei, which still relies on Intel chips to power its laptops, and could hurt US suppliers that do business with the company. In a regulatory filing earlier this month, Qualcomm said it did not expect to receive more chip revenue from Huawei beyond this year.

Persons: Biden, Elise Stefanik, Trump, Critics, SMIC Organizations: Singapore Reuters, Intel, Qualcomm, Huawei Technologies, U.S . Commerce Department, Huawei, Republican, Commerce Department, “, Reuters, US Locations: Washington, Singapore, United States, Republican China, American, Communist, Qualcomm’s

☆ See the campus protests over the last 6 decades that dwarf the Gaza protests in size and disorder
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Lauren Frias | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Protesting Israel's war in GazaStudents gather on the campus of Wayne State University to protest Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration's support for Israel during her visit to Detroit. The following day, New York City police descended upon the encampment, arresting more than 100 protesters, including Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter. The arrests sparked similar demonstrations at dozens of colleges and universities nationwide, including the University of Texas Austin, the University of Southern California, and the University of Chicago. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 80,000 injured in the Gaza Strip, according to an assessment by the United Nations. The UN report called the level of casualties "unprecedented and still mounting" in the seven months since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden, Adam J, Nemat Shafik, Ilhan, University of Texas Austin, Abdallah Al Dardari Organizations: Wayne State University, Israel, Dewey, Anadolu, Getty, Columbia, University of Texas, University of Southern, University of Chicago, United Nations, UN, Associated Press Locations: Gaza, Detroit, Columbia, Israel, New York City, University of Southern California

☆ In Combative Hearing, New York School Chief Turns Tables on Republicans
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Troy Closson | Sarah Mervosh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At a two-hour House hearing on antisemitism in public schools on Wednesday, the New York City schools chief, David C. Banks, made one thing very clear: He was ready to fight. In an unyielding and fiery tone, Mr. Banks challenged lawmakers and questioned their versions of events. As the leader of the nation’s largest school system, Mr. Banks also acknowledged — often — that hate speech and harassment are a major problem for the district. He told members of an education subcommittee in the House that officials have disciplined about a dozen staff members and school leaders, and suspended at least 30 students. But Mr. Banks also seemed unafraid of wading into a sustained back-and-forth with lawmakers that many witnesses generally seek to avoid when testifying before Congress.

Persons: David C, Banks, unapologetically, — Organizations: New, New York City, Republicans, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Locations: New York

☆ Live Updates: House Examining K-12 Schools in Latest Antisemitism Hearing
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Dana Goldstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

☆ Biden threatens to cut Israel off from bombs and artillery shells if they invade Rafah
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

President Joe Biden underlined his threat to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House has warned Israel of what will happen if they launch a large invasion of Rafah. Biden said he would cut off Israel from offensive weapons if such an invasion occurred. Israel has considered for weeks whether to launch a major invasion of Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, where more than a million Palestinians have fled. Biden is also facing immense political pressure on the left as protests on college campuses throughout the nation challenge his support for Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Biden, —, there's, CNN's Erin Burnett, it's, We're, we're, Netanyahu, Mike Johnson, Mitch McConnell Organizations: Israeli, Service, United Nations, Associated Press, Hamas, Republicans, Congress, Israel Locations: Rafah, Israel, Gaza's, Gaza

☆ Congressmen demand answers after CNN report contradicts Pentagon investigations into deadly Kabul airport attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marine’s GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before. Much of the controversy about the Pentagon’s two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. “Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials,” the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN. Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/FileThe evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin “, –, ”, Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills, Chris Smith –, Sayed Ahmadi, Ahmadi, “, ” James Adams, Hamid, Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum –, Biden, Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, I’m, Haroon Sabawoon, Rob Lodewick, ” Lodewick Organizations: CNN —, Defense, CNN, Pentagon, House Foreign Affairs, Command, Marines, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Department, Gold Star, Department of Defense, Biden Administration, “, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army, DoD, Service Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, US

☆ A high-stakes report looms over Biden on whether Israel violated international law
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Kylie Atwood | Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

Nic Antaya/Getty Images Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on the New York University campus in New York on Friday, May 3. Mike Blake/Reuters Pro-Palestinian protesters stand their ground after police breached their encampment at UCLA on May 2. Before police were deployed to campus, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters were clashing at the school , according to multiple reports. Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Columbia University students gather for a picket organized by the Student Workers Union (UAW Local 2710) on Monday, April 29. Stefan Jeremiah/AP Israeli flags are reflected in the sunglasses of a demonstrator in front of Columbia University on April 22.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, “, Matthew Miller, Adam Schultz, Netanyahu, Israel, Mahmud Hams, It’s, ”, Democratic Sen, Chris Van Hollen, Sen, Alex Brandon, Van Hollen, Miller, ” Miller, Melissa Overton, Nic Antaya, Seth Harrison, Jenny Kane, Chip Somodevilla, Mathieu Lewis, Rolland, Craig Hudson, Emma, Roberto Schmidt, Etienne Laurent, Mike Blake, Spencer Platt, Frederic J . Brown, Caitlin Ochs, David Dee Delgado, Charly Triballeau, Kena Betancur, Seyma, Alex Kent, Joseph Prezioso, Suzanne Cordeiro, Diane Handal, Cliff Owen, Qian Weizhong, Mike Stewart, Sarah Reingewirtz, Jay Janner, Brandon Bell, Brian Snyder, Mike Johnson, Timothy A, Clary, Matthew Hatcher, Nuri Vallbona, Jordan Vonderhaar, Zaydee Sanchez, Cameron Jones, Stephanie Keith, Andres Kudacki, Tayfun, Joe Buglewicz, Fatih Aktas, Michael M, Mary Altaffer, Scott Eisen, Columbia's, Stefan Jeremiah, Selcuk Organizations: CNN, State Department, Israeli, Congress, Hamas, Capitol, ”, National Security, Getty, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Defense Department and National Security Council, Biden, Israel, Palestinian, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Office, Human Rights, Biden Democrats, Democratic, Democratic Party, Republican, Department, Protesters, University of Michigan's, New York University, Westchester County Journal, USA, Network Police, Portland State University, AP, George Washington University, The George Washington University, AFP, Police, University of California, UCLA, Reuters, Fordham, Lincoln Center, Getty Images Police, Hamilton, Columbia University, Reuters Police, Columbia, The City College of New, Getty Images, Columbia Students, Justice, Hamilton Hall, Brown University, Getty Images Columbia University, Student Workers Union, UAW, University of Texas, Low, Sunday, Rueters Georgia State Patrol, Emory University, MediaNews, Los Angeles Daily News, Austin Statesman, Network, Austin, University, Emerson College, Swarthmore College, Bloomberg, University of Southern, Reuters New York, Reuters Columbia, New York Times, Sproul Hall, Yale University, University police, York University, The New School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Library, USAID Locations: Israel, Gaza, Rafah, Capitol Hill, Iran, Palestinian American, Jabalia, AFP, Ann Arbor , Michigan, New York, Westchester, Portland , Oregon, Washington ,, Portland, The, Los Angeles, The City College of New York, Columbia, Columbia's, Palestine, Providence , Rhode Island, Texas, Austin, New, Rueters Georgia, Atlanta, Getty Images Texas, Boston, Swarthmore , Pennsylvania, University of Southern California, Berkeley, Sproul, Anadolu, New Haven , Connecticut, Cambridge

☆ House Republicans’ Next Target: Reports of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Dana Goldstein | Sarah Mervosh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

School district officials have faced off with students, parents, school board members and teachers about issues related to the Israel-Hamas war — but until now, not members of Congress. For the three public school leaders, who are likely to face a similarly tense environment, “it’s hard to imagine a less welcome invitation,” said Justin Driver, a professor at Yale Law School who is an expert on how constitutional law applies to schools. The three school districts, all diverse, have robust American Jewish communities. They are also in staunchly liberal areas, making them ripe targets for the Republicans who run the committee. And they have had their share of controversies.

Persons: ”, Justin Driver Organizations: —, Education, Workforce, Yale Law School, Republicans Locations: Israel, — New York City, Berkeley, Calif, Montgomery County, Maryland

☆ Spanish startups hit Microsoft with complaint over cloud practices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft was hit with a Spanish startup group's complaint about its cloud practices to the Spanish antitrust regulator on Tuesday, the latest grievance over its fast-growing cloud computing services and which followed a trade group's EU complaint. The Spanish Startup Association, which represents more than 700 startups in Spain, cited a number of allegedly anti-competitive practices by Microsoft in recent years. Microsoft defended its cloud practices. "Microsoft provides choice and flexibility for our customers to switch to another cloud provider at no cost, and our licensing terms enable our customers and other cloud providers to run and offer Microsoft software on every cloud," a spokesperson said. "We will engage with the Spanish Startup Association to learn more about its concerns."

Persons: Carlos Mateo Organizations: Microsoft, Mobile, Amazon, Spanish Startup Association, Operating Systems, Windows, Reuters, Cloud Infrastructure Services, European Commission, Competition, Markets Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Spanish, U.S, Europe

☆ Senators Seek to Curb Facial Recognition at Airports, Citing Privacy Concerns
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Luke Broadwater | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A bipartisan group of senators is pushing to halt the expansion of facial recognition technology at airports in the United States and restrict its use as part of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill that is making its way through Congress. Citing privacy concerns, Senators Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon, and John Kennedy, Republican of Louisiana, are proposing to block the expansion of the technology until 2027 and require the transportation security administrator to make clear that passengers can opt out at airports where it is in use. With a Friday deadline for renewing the aviation law, the proposal is among the amendments likely to get a vote before the bill can pass. The Federal Aviation Administration is planning to expand facial recognition technology to more than 430 airports, from 25, as part of an effort to speed up the check-in process. Using kiosks with iPads affixed to them, passengers have their photographs taken and matched to an image from a government database instead of presenting a physical identification card.

Persons: Jeff Merkley, John Kennedy Organizations: Federal Aviation Administration, Republican Locations: United States, Oregon, Louisiana

☆ Journalist sounds alarm on dangers of propaganda, calling it ‘one of the worst crises for American democracy this century’
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“I think it is at the center of one of the worst crises for American democracy this century, certainly in recent decades,” Applebaum told me by phone Tuesday. “They don’t believe journalists. They don’t believe independent ombudsman. They don’t believe institutions or science. It is not possible to understand why Trump continues to hold a firm grip over the Republican Party without understanding the propaganda machine at his disposal.

Persons: CNN — Anne Applebaum, ”, Donald Trump, Applebaum, authoritarians —, ” Applebaum, Vladimir Putin’s, Vladimir Putin’s Russia “, Trump, Rupert Murdoch, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, Steve Bannon, “, it’s, Steve Bannon’s, that’s, David Muir, Lester Holt, Norah O’Donnell, Carlson, MAGA Organizations: CNN, Trump, Putin, Sputnik, MAGA Media, New York Times, Washington, Fox News, Republican Party Locations: U.S, Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Ukraine

☆ TikTok sues U.S. government, says ban violates First Amendment
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Angela Yang | Savannah Sellers | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Circuit, argues that the bill, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, violates constitutional protections of free speech. Now, legal proceedings will pause that timeline, meaning it could be years before a ban goes into effect. Tuesday's lawsuit is the latest development in what has become a multi-year effort by the U.S. government to effectively ban TikTok. Efforts to rein in the popular video-sharing app have persisted since 2020 under both the Trump and Biden administrations. The federal government and dozens of states have already banned the use of TikTok on government-owned devices.

Persons: TikTok, Joe Biden Organizations: United, U.S ., Appeals, Foreign, The, Justice, Justice Department, U.S, Trump, Biden Locations: United States, U.S

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