THREAD: rip off university degrees
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News Timeline
HEARTLAND TRAGEDY: Deadly Storms RIP Apart American Communities
— At least 42 Americans lost their lives this weekend as fierce storms ripped through the South and Midwest. Tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms battered eight states, leaving thousands of homes and businesses destroyed. Missouri suffered the most with 12 deaths. In Kansas, a deadly dust storm caused a 71-car pileup that killed eight people.
Mississippi reported six deaths and dozens injured as tornadoes left hundreds without homes. Alabama was hit by EF-2 and EF-3 tornadoes that flattened houses and took three lives. Arkansas faced an EF-3 tornado with winds up to 165 mph in Cave City, claiming three more victims.
Texas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina were also hit hard by tornadoes causing deaths and heavy damage. Governors declared emergencies across several states while wildfire risks remain high due to dry winds. Power outages affected tens of thousands as crews work nonstop to restore service.
President Trump addressed the disaster on social media, stating that the White House is watching conditions closely. Emergency teams are still searching for survivors while millions stay under severe weather alerts moving eastward. This is one of the deadliest outbreaks in recent years — officials urge Americans to stay alert for more dangerous weather ahead.
— UPS to lay off 20,000 workers and close 73 buildings amid tariff uncertainties The cost-cutting measures aim to save $35 billion as market volatility impacts Amazon’s logistics volume
— UPS to Lay Off 20,000 Workers Amid Amazon Slowdown and Trade Tensions The company will close 73 facilities to save $35 billion, citing reduced Amazon volumes and tariffs as key factors
— UPS to Lay Off 20,000 Workers in 2025 Amid Amazon Slowdown The logistics company plans to cut jobs and close facilities to save $35 billion due to decreased Amazon business and new Chinese tariffs
— UPS to Lay Off 20,000 Workers in 2025 Amid Amazon Slowdown The logistics company will cut jobs and close facilities to save $35 billion amid declining package volumes and economic uncertainties, including new Chinese tariffs
— UPS to Lay Off 20,000 Workers Amid Trade Uncertainty The shipping giant plans to cut jobs and close facilities to save $35 billion, citing reduced business with Amazon and looming tariffs on Chinese goods
HARVARD SUBWAY Shooting Panic: Shelter-in-Place Order Shakes Campus
— A shooting on a Boston subway platform near Harvard University sent shockwaves through the campus Sunday. Harvard officials quickly told students and staff to shelter in place as police searched for the gunman.
Transit police say a man fired four or five shots at someone he targeted on the southbound platform at Harvard Square station, then ran away. Thankfully, no one was hurt, according to transit police superintendent Richard Sullivan.
The chaos forced subway riders onto shuttle buses while officers from several departments searched the area around the busy station. The location is right next to Harvard’s main campus in Cambridge.
Police lifted the shelter-in-place order later that afternoon after deciding there was no longer a threat to students or staff. The suspect remains at large as investigators continue their search.
DEPAUL University UNDER Fire: Jewish Students’ Legal Battle Ignites Emotion
— Lawyers for two Jewish students attacked at DePaul University will hold a press conference Wednesday to announce new developments in their case. The Lawfare Project claims the university has failed to protect Jewish students.
“DePaul University failed to protect Max and Michael when they were viciously attacked by masked assailants last fall,” stated Jaclyn Clark, Counsel for the victims. She criticized the university for not ensuring student safety and vowed accountability. Despite releasing suspect photos, no arrests have been made since the attack.
The Lawfare Project, with Grant and Eisenhofer P.A., will speak outside the Daley Center at 10 a.m. Senior Counsel Gerard Filitti will join victims Max Long and Michael Kaminsky to discuss legal actions.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about hate crimes and university responses, emphasizing the victims’ legal battle against DePaul University.
DEPAUL University UNDER Fire: Jewish Students’ Attack Sparks Outrage
— Lawyers for two Jewish students attacked at DEPAUL University will hold a press conference on April 2, 2025. They plan to announce a significant development in the case. The incident occurred last November, and criticism has mounted over the university’s response.
The Lawfare Project has accused DEPAUL of not adequately addressing the attack or ensuring Jewish students’ safety. Lead attorney Jaclyn Clark stated, “DEPAUL University failed to protect Max and Michael when they were viciously attacked by masked assailants last fall.” She emphasized that the university’s lack of action is unacceptable.
Photos of the suspects were released shortly after the attack, yet no arrests have been made. The press conference will occur outside the Daley Center at 10 a.m., featuring Senior Counsel Gerard Filitti and victims Max Long and Michael Kaminsky. They aim to discuss their next legal steps regarding this troubling incident.
TURKISH Student’s SHOCKING Detention by Homeland Security Sparks Outrage
— A Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, Rumeysa Ozturk, was detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents. Her lawyer, Mahsa Khanbabai, reported the incident happened Tuesday night in Somerville. Video shows six masked individuals taking her phone and handcuffing her as she protested.
Ozturk was on her way to meet friends for iftar during Ramadan when stopped. Khanbabai stated they don’t know her current location and can’t contact her. No charges have been filed against Ozturk, who holds a valid visa for studying in the U.S., according to Khanbabai’s statement.
CARGO SHIP Disaster: Fiery Collision Sparks Chaos Off England Coast
— A cargo ship hit a tanker carrying jet fuel off eastern England, sparking a fire on both vessels. Emergency crews launched a major rescue, bringing 32 people to safety. The condition of those rescued is still unclear.
The U.S.-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate was anchored near Grimsby after its journey from Greece when the Portugal-flagged container ship Solong collided with it. This crash ruptured a cargo tank filled with Jet-A1 fuel, causing explosions and spilling fuel into the sea.
Crowley Ship Management confirmed all crew members on the tanker are safe and accounted for. Rescue teams transported 13 casualties using a Windcat 33 high-speed vessel and another 19 on a harbor pilot boat, according to Port of Grimsby East’s chief executive Martyn Boyers.
Temple University Investigates SHOCKING Pro-Palestinian Protest TARGETING Hillel
— Temple University is investigating a pro-Palestinian demonstration that targeted the campus Hillel building. Protesters used megaphones to chant at the occupants, causing concern among university officials.
We are deeply saddened and concerned by these events," said Temple University President Richard Englert. He emphasized that targeting individuals based on their Jewish identity is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
The demonstration began at the main campus library and involved both students and non-students. Video footage shows protesters holding signs, Palestinian flags, and chanting outside the Rosen Center, which houses Temple’s Hillel building.
Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), condemned the protest in a letter to the university. He criticized Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) for creating a hostile environment for Jewish students by demanding that Temple condemn Israel and divest from Israeli holdings.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY President Quits Amid Campus Chaos
— Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned Wednesday after a brief, tumultuous tenure. Her resignation follows heavy scrutiny over her handling of protests and campus divisions related to the Israel-Hamas war. The Ivy League school faced intense student demonstrations, leading to police intervention and clashes.
The announcement comes days after three Columbia University Deans resigned for exchanging disparaging texts about Jewish life and antisemitism. Shafik was criticized by Republicans in Congress for not adequately addressing antisemitism concerns on campus. She began her role in July last year but announced her resignation just weeks before the new semester starts on Sept. 3.
In an emailed letter, Shafik mentioned progress in important areas but admitted it was difficult to overcome divergent views within the community. She cited the toll on her family as a reason for stepping down, believing it would help Columbia navigate future challenges better. The university has started restricting campus access to curb potential disruptions as classes resume soon.
POLICE BREAK UP PRO-Palestinian Camp At University Of Michigan
— Police dismantled a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan early Tuesday. Officers in helmets and face shields cleared the Diag, a historic protest site. Video showed police using an irritant spray to disperse demonstrators.
The camp had been set up in late April, coinciding with spring commencement activities. Protesters placed fake body bags on a school official’s lawn and displayed posters taunting university leaders. President Santa Ono cited safety concerns, including overloaded power sources and open flames, as reasons for the removal.
Nearby buildings were closed after the camp was cleared, affecting students who came to study. Ono stated that organizers ignored safety directives following a fire marshal’s inspection. He emphasized that the encampment violated rules ensuring the Diag remains accessible to everyone.
Protesters demanded divestment from companies linked to Israel, but the university claims it has minimal indirect investments totaling less than 0.1% of its endowment in such funds.
SEINFELD’S Speech Ignites Protests at Duke: Graduates Challenge His Views
— A small group of Duke University graduates protested during comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s commencement speech in North Carolina. About 30 out of 7,000 students walked out, chanting “free Palestine.” Their protest sparked mixed reactions among the audience.
Seinfeld, who was honored with an honorary doctorate at the event, is known for his support of Israel. This stance has become more pronounced following recent conflicts between Israel and Gaza. The protests at Duke reflect a growing trend of campus activism in the U.S., where students are pushing their institutions to cut ties with Israeli businesses and supporters.
The unrest at Duke is indicative of a broader national movement on college campuses concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This spring alone witnessed nearly 2,900 arrests from protests at over 57 universities across the country. Students have established encampments and organized walkouts to compel their universities to address what they see as injustices in the Middle East.
These demonstrations highlight a significant shift toward more vocal and widespread student activism aimed at influencing university policies on international issues. The incident at Duke underscores the increasing willingness of students to use their voices to effect change on global matters directly impacting their communities and beyond.
TEXAS UNIVERSITY Police Crackdown Sparks Outrage
— Police detained over a dozen individuals, including a local news photographer, during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin. The operation involved officers on horseback who moved decisively to remove protesters from the campus grounds. This event is part of a larger pattern of protests at various U.S. universities.
The situation intensified rapidly as police wielded batons and applied physical force to break up the assembly. A Fox 7 Austin photographer was forcibly pulled to the ground and detained while documenting the incident. Additionally, an experienced Texas journalist sustained injuries amid the chaos.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that these detentions were carried out following requests from university leaders and Governor Greg Abbott. One student criticized the police action as excessive, warning it could provoke further protests against this aggressive approach.
Governor Abbott has not yet commented on the incident or the use of force by police during this event.
SENIOR CITIZEN Soars Skyward: Security Shutter in Wales Store Lifts Woman Off Ground
— In an unusual turn of events, Anne Hughes, a 71-year-old woman, found herself lifted off the ground when her coat became entangled with a security shutter outside a store in Wales.
Hughes, who works as a cleaner at the Best One shop near Cardiff, was caught off guard when her coat snagged and she was hoisted into the air. “I thought “flipping heck!”” said Hughes. A quick-thinking colleague came to her aid and helped her down after she spent 12 seconds suspended mid-air.
Despite the odd incident, Hughes managed to retain her sense of humor about it all. She expressed relief that she hadn’t landed face-first and even joked that such an event could only happen to her.
The store seized this unexpected opportunity by using the footage for online promotion with a humorous caption about their deals and staff members’ antics. The video clip was shared on social media platform X with this playful tagline: "Don’t hang about like Ann, come down to Best One for unbeatable deals! The only thing going up in our shop is our staff — not our prices!
PENN PRESIDENT Steps Down: Donor Pressure and Congressional Testimony Fallout Takes Its Toll
— Under mounting pressure from donors and facing backlash over her congressional testimony, Liz Magill, the University of Pennsylvania’s president, has tendered her resignation.
During a U.S. House committee hearing on antisemitism in colleges, Magill was unable to confirm whether advocating for Jewish genocide would breach the school’s conduct policy.
The university announced Magill’s resignation late Saturday afternoon. Despite relinquishing her presidential role, she will retain her tenured faculty position at the Carey Law School. She will also continue to serve as Penn’s leader until an interim president is appointed.
Calls for Magill’s resignation amplified following her Tuesday testimony. She faced questioning alongside presidents from Harvard University and MIT regarding their respective universities’ inability to safeguard Jewish students amidst escalating global antisemitism fears and repercussions from Israel’s escalating conflict in Gaza.
PARAGRAPH 5: "When Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., asked if “calling for the genocide of Jews” would violate Penn’s code of conduct, Magill responded that it would be a “context-dependent decision,” igniting further controversy.
ISRAEL-HAMAS Conflict Sparks Heated Debate at Harvard: Students Caught in the Crossfire
— Harvard University, a renowned center for political and philosophical debate, finds itself in the throes of a heated discussion over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The recent outbreak of war has led to a polarized campus atmosphere filled with apprehension.
Pro-Palestine student organizations have released a statement attributing the escalating violence solely to Israel. This declaration ignited immediate backlash from Jewish student groups accusing them of endorsing Hamas attacks.
Pro-Palestinian students refute these accusations, stating their message has been misinterpreted. The discord on campus reflects the nationwide debate over this sensitive issue.
Students associated with these groups are experiencing intense criticism both within university grounds and on social media platforms. Amidst this fiery controversy, both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students report feelings of fear and alienation.
Sunak to Limit ‘LOW-VALUE’ University Degrees in England
— UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is preparing to introduce a cap on the number of students enrolling in “low-value” university degrees. The new rule targets courses that don’t typically lead to a professional job, further studies, or a business start-up.
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION Takes AIM at ‘Radical’ University Programs
— Former President Donald Trump’s administration has ramped up its criticism of U.S. universities, accusing them of eroding America’s core values. Trump argues that “radical left” ideologies on campuses weaken American strengths like free speech and individual merit. This has sparked heated debates nationwide as universities defend their curriculums as champions of free thought and intellectual diversity.
The administration is working to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs it finds problematic. These efforts aim to reshape higher education to align more closely with conservative ideals. Critics argue these policies threaten academic freedom and could harm the nation’s edge in global education by stifling critical thinking and innovation.
Supporters of Trump’s policies believe universities foster anti-American sentiment through protests seen as anti-government or anti-establishment. This view faces strong opposition from students and faculty who see these actions as threats to academic liberty, fearing a chilling effect on controversial views due to potential government reprisal.
The clash over the role of universities highlights deeper political and cultural divides in America. While Trump promises to protect traditional values, universities advocate for diverse ideas and narratives. This ongoing conflict will significantly impact educational policy, campus life, and the broader societal landscape in the years ahead.
