Alerts for international college students ramp up ahead of Trump presidency
A wave of uncertainty is spreading across college campuses among international students ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. Concerns about potential travel bans and tightened immigration policies are sparking new warnings.
China’s Consulate General is advising students to think twice about leaving the country over the holiday and said students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.”
The alert comes after Trump targeted Chinese student visas during his first term. His administration focused on those deemed “security risks” to American scientific research, including Chinese graduate students and post-grad researchers with close ties to the country’s defense industry.
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed several of Trump’s executive actions, including a ban on citizens entering the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries, which Trump has vowed to reinstate.
Despite Biden’s reversals, Chinese students still face challenges like visa denials and entry bans under Trump-era policies.
Along with China’s recent warning, at least a dozen U.S. universities from California to New York are recommending students return to campus before Trump’s inauguration.
“While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the Spring semester begins on January 13, 2025,” the USC Office of International Service said.
Cornell University also warned about possible restrictions. Officials told students to let their advisers know about their plans and be prepared for delays if they did plan to travel abroad.
Racist text messages targeting Black Americans prompt FBI response
A series of racially-charged text messages referencing slavery and targeting Black Americans have surfaced across the United States, prompting a federal response. Recipients of these messages report being informed they were “selected” to pick cotton at “the nearest plantation.”
The texts, reportedly sent from unknown numbers, began appearing shortly after the recent presidential election. Many of those targeted include students from universities such as The Ohio State University, Clemson University, University of Southern California and Missouri State University.
The FBI confirmed it is aware of these incidents, advising anyone who receives these texts to report them to local authorities. The Bureau also indicated that it has been in contact with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the matter. The Federal Communications Commission and wireless industry groups have acknowledged the issue and are working to address it.
While sending racially offensive messages is not itself illegal, law enforcement officials said that continued harassment or evidence of hate crimes could lead to legal repercussions.
Some of the anonymous numbers used in the messaging appear to be linked to the messaging platform TextNow, which provides users with untraceable “burner” numbers. In a statement, a TextNow spokesperson said that accounts associated with the texts were quickly shut down and pledged the company would cooperate with authorities.
The NAACP denounced the messages, calling them “deeply disturbing” and stating that they perpetuate a “legacy of evil that dates back to before the Jim Crow era.” The organization said they believe the texts were a product of President-elect Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
Heisman winner Reggie Bush sues for NIL money 2 decades after playing
Months after getting his 2005 Heisman Trophy reinstated, former USC superstar Reggie Bush is again taking on college football. This time, the running back-turned-broadcaster filed a lawsuit against the university, the Pac-12 and the NCAA.
Bush’s lawsuit claims the three profited “from uncompensated use” of his name, image, and likeness, known as NIL. Star college athletes can make big NIL money today after the NCAA reluctantly changed its rules in 2021 following a loss at the Supreme Court.
During his junior year at USC, Bush rushed for 1,740 yards and 18 total touchdowns on his way to securing the Heisman Trophy. He was also part of the university’s 2004 National Championship team.
But years later, the NCAA ruled Bush received improper benefits as a player and he was stripped of the sport’s greatest award. USC was forced to vacate the 2004 national title and 14 wins associated with Bush.
More recently, rule changes allow athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness. At the same time, Bush has become an outspoken critic of the NCAA.
“From day one, you already owned your NIL,” Bush said during an appearance on “All The Smoke.” “It was just that when you got into college football or basketball, now you were stripped of that ability.”
Bush and his legal team are very aware of the implications of his latest lawsuit.
“It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes,” said Evan Selik, one of Bush’s lawyers. “Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”
Retroactive NIL compensation isn’t a farfetched idea. In a proposed settlement for three federal antitrust cases, the NCAA and the power conferences agreed to pay around $2.7 billion over 10 years to athletes involved in the suit who played sports in the five years leading up to NIL rule changes. That settlement is currently on hold as a federal judge called for revisions.
In April of this year, Bush was reunited with his Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trust cited “enormous changes in the college football landscape” as the reason behind the decision. Bush also reunited with USC and his retired jersey, which once again hangs in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
If Bush’s tenacity for getting his award back is any indication, he won’t soon back down on his latest pursuit.
“I’ve always felt like I was gonna get the Heisman Trophy back,” he told Pat McAfee during the NFL Draft in April. “I just didn’t know how long it was gonna take. And it didn’t matter to me how long it took. I was gonna fight. It could have been another 20 years. I was gonna continue to fight for it.”
Pressure builds for cease-fire deal after 6 hostages killed in Gaza
Calls continue to grow for a cease-fire deal after the bodies of six hostages were recovered in Gaza. And thousands of hotel workers are on strike at major hotel chains across the country. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
Pressure builds for cease-fire deal after 6 hostages killed in Gaza
When asked by reporters on Sunday, Sept. 1, President Joe Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not making enough progress toward an agreement.
The U.S. is increasing its pressure on Netanyahu. President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with their hostage negotiation team Monday. Biden indicated he plans to speak with Netanyahu “eventually.”
At a news conference, Netanyahu expressed regret for not being able to bring the hostages back alive but firmly rejected the mounting pressure against him. Netanyahu addressed President Biden directly, urging the international community to focus its pressure on Hamas.
On Monday, thousands gathered in Jerusalem for the funeral of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American among the six hostages found dead.
In the meantime, nearly 50 Palestinians have been reported killed this week according to health officials, amid ongoing strikes in Gaza and raids in the West Bank.
Netanyahu has vowed that Hamas will face “severe consequences.”
The United Kingdom has announced it will suspend some of its weapons exports to Israel due to concerns over potential violations of international humanitarian law. However, the U.K. emphasized that this is not a comprehensive ban, noting that its arms exports to Israel are relatively small compared to those from other countries, like the U.S.
President Biden joined Vice President Harris in their first joint appearance since Harris became the Democratic nominee on Monday. Before Biden and Harris met with supporters in Pittsburgh, Harris was in Detroit speaking to union leaders who are backing her bid for the White House.
While most major unions are supporting Harris, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters remains undecided. Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, who spoke at the Republican National Convention, has stated they will not make an endorsement until Harris meets with their members.
Also on Labor Day, Harris’ running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz held a campaign event in Milwaukee. Vehicles in his motorcade collided on the way to the event, resulting in minor injuries to some staffers and reporters, who were taken to nearby hospitals.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump and his running mate Ohio Sen. JD Vance are gearing up for a busy week ahead. Trump is scheduled to visit Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin later this week.
Harris will be heading to New Hampshire to prepare for her upcoming debate with Trump.
🚨🚨Thousands of hotel workers with @unitehere across the country are now on strike! Hotel workers are fighting for higher pay, manageable workloads, and increased staffing that were eroded through COVID-era cuts by the major hotel operators.🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/IhXTVPsFUD
The dispute has taken center stage during tense contract negotiations in cities across the U.S. this summer, with at least 15,000 members threatening strikes this fall in 12 cities.
The first of the strikes began on Sunday, when thousands of workers in 25 cities walked off the job after contract negotiations with major hotel chains Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott stalled without a deal. Organizers say the strikes are set to last between two and three days.
Judge issues arrest warrant for Venezuelan opposition leader
The warrant was issued at the request of authorities, who accused González of various crimes including conspiracy, falsifying documents and usurpation of powers. The move is the latest against the opposition since election officials declared president Nicolás Maduro won a third six-year term in office.
Meanwhile, a plane belonging to Maduro is in Florida after being seized by U.S. authorities in the Dominican Republic. The Justice Department says the plane was illegally bought for $13 million and smuggled out of the U.S. in violation of sanctions and export rules.
ESPN and Disney go dark for millions of DirecTV customers
ESPN was in the middle of airing the U.S. Open tennis tournament and just minutes away from the start of the college football game between Louisiana State University and the University of Southern California.
The dispute centers on the carriage fees DirecTV pays Disney to broadcast its programming.
DirecTV accuses Disney of “taking an anti-consumer approach” by demanding a new deal include bundled services. DirecTV wants to allow customers to be able to take an a-la-carte approach to subscribing to specific networks, making it easier to lower their costs.
In a statement, Disney said, “We will not enter into an agreement that undervalues our portfolio of television channels and programs.”
Joey Chestnut eats 83 hot dogs to win Netflix’s livestreaming contest
In blow to 2024 graduates, Columbia axes main commencement after protests
On Monday, May 6, Columbia University in New York City announced it is canceling the universitywide commencement ceremony due to security concerns over pro-Palestinian protests. Instead, small, school-based ceremonies will be held.
The decision comes after weeks of demonstrations that disrupted campus life. Students had set up encampments on the campus grounds, which were cleared by police the week of April 29.
The protests stem from Israel’s war in Gaza, which started in October 2023 in response to an attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel. The attack by Hamas militants left 1,200 dead and terrorists took more than 200 Israelis hostage. During Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said around 34,000 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of thousands are displaced.
Security concerns were cited as one of the main reasons for canceling the ceremony. Columbia University officials said that students preferred small, more intimate ceremonies where they could be honored individually alongside their peers.
Graduation ceremonies for various schools within the university will now take places at different times and locations throughout the coming weeks. The original commencement was scheduled for May 15.
The decision at Columbia University follows a similar move by the University of Southern California, which canceled its main commencement on April 25.
Protests have not been limited to Columbia’s campus. Similar demonstrations have occurred at universities across the country, raising concerns among officials about their own commencement ceremonies.
USC commencement speakers pull out after valedictorian speech cancellation
Israel-Hamas war protests on college campuses have been ongoing for weeks. At the University of South California (USC), professors who were going to give commencement speeches are pulling out in protest of the university’s decision to cancel its valedictorian’s speech and its main ceremony over safety concerns.
Valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a pro-Palestinian Muslim, was going to give a commencement speech until pro-Israel groups said Tabassum shared antisemitic statements on her social media.
Tabassum said the statements were not antisemitic but were out of precaution. The university canceled her speech, fueling further protests. At one point, USC called the Los Angeles Police Department, leading to the arrest of about 100 protesters.
Following the arrests, USC canceled its main ceremony, which would have involved about 65,000 people. The university said it had to take certain measures to ensure the students’ safety and the security screenings would have taken too long to process with such a large crowd.
Each of the school’s individual colleges are set to have their own smaller ceremonies.
Now, two of the people slated to give commencement speeches — C Pam Zhang and Safiya Noble — have pulled out.
“Asna’s removal, the administration’s refusal to engage in dialogue with student protestors, and the decision to invite LAPD forces onto campus, represent a violent and targeted refusal to allow true diversity of expression to flourish on campus,” the two said in a joint statement. “The right to free speech and peaceful protest are not only fundamental to democracy, but a particular, proud feature of American universities.”
Noble, a professor at UCLA, encouraged dozens of other projected speakers to join in boycotting USC.
USC is not the only college facing fallout of its handling of mass protests. There have been more than 800 arrests across university campuses since April 18.
Testimony continues in Trump criminal trial as Supreme Court debates immunity
Developments in former President Donald Trump’s legal cases take us to a New York City courtroom and the U.S. Supreme Court, and USC cancels its main commencement ceremony following dozens of arrests during campus protests. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Testimony continues in Trump’s criminal trial as Supreme Court debates immunity
On Thursday, April 25, Pecker was further questioned about his interactions with Trump, revealing he agreed to purchase the rights to a story from Playboy model Karen McDougal about her alleged relationship with Trump. He testified that the decision was made after consulting with Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen to prevent embarrassment to Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The defense described these “catch-and-kill” tactics as standard operating procedures in the tabloid industry, with Pecker also mentioning similar deals made with former Congressman Rahm Emanuel and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Pecker also discussed his role in coordinating a $130,000 payment that Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her story about her relationship with Trump from becoming public. Instead of the Enquirer purchasing her story, Pecker suggested Cohen buy it himself, which he did. This payment — and Trump’s reimbursement to Cohen — is the focus of the district attorney’s case.
Additionally, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Trump should have absolute immunity in his federal election interference case.
USC cancels main stage graduation ceremony amid student protests
Despite the cancellation of the main event, USC will continue to host dozens of other events, including individual school commencement ceremonies.
The university earlier confirmed that its decision not to have its student valedictorian, a Muslim who has expressed pro-Palestinian views, not speak at commencement due to safety concerns. USC stated that this decision was not related to freedom of speech issues.
Biden joins 17 world leaders to call on Hamas to release hostages
President Joe Biden and leaders from 17 other nations called on Hamas to release hostages still held captive in Gaza on Thursday, April 26. In a joint statement, they emphasized international laws that protect hostages and the civilian population, and expressed strong support for mediation efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.
Last year, we secured the release of Abigail, a 4-year-old who was being held by Hamas.
She’s remarkable and recovering from unspeakable trauma.
Our time together yesterday was a reminder of the work we have in front of us to secure the release of all remaining hostages. pic.twitter.com/M7bNHzZxfM
Also on Wednesday, April 24, Biden met with Abigail Edan, a 4-year-old dual citizen of Israel and America who was among the first group of hostages released during a November truce.
Currently, more than 130 hostages — including five Americans — are believed to still be in Hamas captivity.
José Andrés honors fallen aid workers at Washington National Cathedral
He expressed hope that World Central Kitchen will continue its global humanitarian efforts, honoring the spirit and dedication of the lost aid workers. The service highlighted the personal stories of the workers and their commitment to helping communities in crisis.
WCK is holding an interfaith Celebration of Life to honor our 7 heroes killed in Gaza. The service at the National Cathedral is by invitation only, but a public livestream will be available—if you would like to attend the service virtually, please join us at… pic.twitter.com/YOcwqEui6W
“In the worst moments, the best of humanity shows up. Saif, John, Jacob, Zomi, Jim, James and Damian, they were the best of humanity,” Andrés, speaking at the event, said. “Their examples should inspire us to do better, to be better.”
Police: Maryland teacher used AI to create fake recording of principal
Dazhon Darien, a physical education teacher and athletic director at Pikesville High School, was arrested Thursday, April 25, on charges including reckless endangerment and disrupting school activities.
Authorities allege Darien created a fake audio recording of the principal making racist and antisemitic remarks, following discussions about whether his contract would be renewed.
The audio quickly spread on social media, resulting in the principal being placed on paid administrative leave. Darien was arrested while attempting to board a flight at BWI Marshall Airport, though it was not specified whether he was trying to flee.
Kim Kardashian attends White House meeting on criminal justice reform
During the meeting, Harris announced the finalization of changes to a Small Business Administration rule, which will remove most restrictions based on a person’s criminal record. The Vice President thanked Kardashian for her advocacy and using her platform to promote second chances.
Kardashian, who became an activist for criminal reform during the Trump administration, discussed the impact of these reforms on prison reentry, particularly highlighting the changes related to small business loans for former inmates.
Free speech fight after USC cancels valedictorian’s speech
The University of Southern California (USC) is continuing to receive backlash for its decision to cancel this year’s valedictorian’s graduation speech. USC banned Asna Tabassum, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, from speaking at the school’s commencement ceremony in May, as the school cited safety concerns.
Some Jewish students called for USC to disinvite Tabassum, a Muslim woman, from speaking at the school’s commencement ceremony, citing a link she had on her Instagram. The link was to a pro-Palestinian page that said, “Zionism is a racist settler-colonial ideology.” It also called for the abolishment of the state of Israel “so that both Arabs and Jews can live together.”
USC subsequently cancelled her speech on Monday, April 15, citing safety concerns. However, the school did not identify a specific threat. The decision confused some students. They said they believe the university is deflecting in hopes of quelling the controversy.
“They’re just confused as to why, you know, she’s not going to be able to due to security concerns, when there was a former president on our campus literally last year in Barack Obama,” Dylan Luden, a journalism student at USC, said.
However, some students contend that the school’s cancellation of the valedictorian’s speech has only amplified her message.
“Because her speech got banned, her voice is heard more now,” Fatima Cicek, a freshman at USC, said. “The LA Times is doing a news report on this.”
On Wednesday, protesters on USC’s campus carried signs reading “let her speak.”
Tabassum called the university’s decision “thinly veiled racism.”
“Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have been subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,” Tabassum said.
Before USC rescinded her invitation, pro-Israel groups called on the university to “condemn the antisemitic rhetoric propagated by the valedictorian.”
Tabassum maintained that she is not antisemitic and said her prepared speech focused on a broader theme of hope.
Tensions steadily rose on college campuses nationwide since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Free speech experts said in the wake of the conflict, organizations are canceling speeches more frequently, citing safety.
In March, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas stopped a public lecture on black holes from a visiting Israeli professor after pro-Palestinian protesters barged into the room. However, instead of stopping the protest, officials escorted the professor off of campus to “ensure safety.”
Money Madness: 5 ways Caitlin Clark fever is paying off
Women’s March Madness is full of stars this year but one stands out above the rest. Iowa standout Caitlin Clark is the must-see attraction, pulling more eyeballs than last year’s NBA Finals average viewership, the World Series, and nearly every college football game. The sports world is in the Caitlin Clark business and it’s paying off.
“Iowa was a great team but Caitlin Clark is the reason we tuned in,” NBA superstar LeBron James said.
As Iowa gets ready to take on UConn and Paige Bueckers in the Final Four, here are five ways people are cashing in on Caitlin Clark.
Caitlin Clark herself
College basketball’s all-time leading scorer has scored about $3.2 million in NIL deals this year, according to On3. Her deals rank fourth behind sports royalty offspring Bronny James, Shedeur Sanders and social media sensation Livvy Dunne. Clark’s lucrative deals include Nike, Gatorade and State Farm.
Ice Cube also confirmed on social media that his up-and-coming BIG3 league extended a $5 million offer to Caitlin Clark, which would allow her to also play in the WNBA.
Gamblers are setting records with Caitlin Clark. FanDuel says the Elite Eight LSU-Iowa game was the biggest betting event of all time for women’s sports.
The Angel Reese-Clark rematch drew in 28% more money than their title game last year, where Reese came out victorious. This time, Clark dropped 41 points, drained nine three-pointers, and moves on to take on another college basketball star in the Final Four, UConn’s Bueckers.
Attendance records
The icon-heavy women’s tournament is setting records for fans in stands. The sellout crowds shattered records for the third consecutive season. Nearly 300,000 fans watched the first- and second-round games alone, a 26% increase over the previous year’s peak.
Fans in Iowa City topped all other hosting sites and the Caitlin effect doesn’t stop in college. The WNBA’s Indiana Fever is seeing a spike in ticket sales. The team has the No. 1 overall pick this year with Caitlin Clark headed to the league.
Getty Images
Ticket prices
It’s getting pricey to see these female superstars on the court. Their popularity is pushing resale ticket prices through the roof. The average cost to get into the women’s Final Four is $2,323, while the men’s tournament is taking in less than half at $1,001, according to Logitix.
Call it “Clarkonomics.”
TV ratings
Iowa’s Elite Eight victory over LSU shattered TV viewing records. With 12.3 million viewers tuning in, it wasn’t just the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history, but one of the most-viewed games in any sport other than the NFL this past year.
The Reese-Clark showdown topped the 11.8 million people who tuned in to watch USC great Cheryl Miller take on now-LSU coach Kim Mulkey in the 1983 championship.
ESPN has been getting a steal of a deal airing the women’s tournament. They recently signed an 8-year extension worth $65 million a year, which Sportico said is 12 times the current deal’s average annual rate. The higher rate won’t take effect until next season when Clark will be in the WNBA. Meanwhile, CBS and Turner pay around $1 billion per year to collectively air the men’s tournament.
