Trump administration launches probe into University of California system

Donald Trump’s administration has announced an investigation into hiring practices at the University of California (UC) system, the most recent instance of his conflict with higher education.

The UC system’s efforts to increase staff diversity were revealed by the Department of Justice on Thursday, and the agency accused the school of employing practices that “openly measure new hires by their race and sex.”

Diversity initiatives have previously been portrayed as a form of discrimination by the Trump administration.

The Civil Rights Division’s head, Harmeet Dhillion, stated in a statement that “public employers are bound by federal laws that prohibit racial and other employment discrimination.”

Employers are posed by legal risk by institutional directives that use race- and sex-based hiring practices, according to federal law.

The Justice Department stated in a letter of notice to the University of California that it had “reasonable suspicions” that some of the school’s campuses had engaged in unlawful activity. However, it added that it had not “reached any conclusions about the investigation’s subject matter.”

With 10 campuses and more than 299, 000 students enrolled in the University of California system, one of the most well-known public university systems in the US.

In response to the investigation announcement, the school responded on Thursday by defending its hiring practices.

A UC system spokesperson stated in a statement that the university of California is committed to using fair and lawful methods in all of its programs and activities in accordance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws. The University also intends to create a welcoming and supportive campus atmosphere.

President Trump has not yet commented on the investigation, but during his second term in office, his administration has frequently clashed with academic institutions.

According to allegations that prestigious universities, including Harvard and Columbia, did not take enough action to stop campus protests against Israel’s occupation of Gaza, federal grants and contracts have been terminated.

According to the Trump administration, those protests were anti-Semitic and created a dangerous environment for Jews on college campuses.

Additionally, Trump and his allies have portrayed academic institutions as haven for radical political dissent. The Trump administration sent a letter outlining changes demands on April 11 for Harvard University in a letter sent by the administration on April 11.

One requirement was for Harvard to submit an external audit of its staff and enrollment in order to evaluate “viewpoint diversity” and implement “reforms” to its hiring and admissions procedures. According to the letter, the outside party would need to “satisfy the federal government.”

Harvard has objected to those demands, stressing the need to safeguard academic freedom. Since then, the Trump administration has threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status and attempted to obstruct its ability to enroll foreign students.

Harvard has filed lawsuits to recoup its federal funding and stop the Trump administration’s attempts to ban foreign students as a result.

In the event that Trump’s visa restrictions affect their ability to attend classes, the university also announced an agreement with the University of Toronto on Thursday that would allow foreign students to continue their Harvard studies there.

Trump’s actions have been criticized as attempts to impose his policies on schools in greater compliance with the White House’s policies and priorities.

The administration’s efforts to promote diversity in university hiring and enrollment have been a particularly positive experience.

The Trump administration has claimed that those initiatives are a form of discrimination, but their supporters claim they do so in order to end the legacy of discrimination in higher education.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Trump’s commitment to ending diversity initiatives at a news conference on Thursday, but she did not provide specifics about the UC investigation.

She said, “We want to restore a merit-based society and culture in the United States of America where people are not hired, nor are they promoted, based on the color of their skin or their gender,” as the president’s position states.

Trump signed an executive order removing “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) programming from the federal government on the first day of his second term. He described those programs as “immense public waste and shameful discrimination.”

However, some claim that Trump’s actions have violated the rights of those he disagrees with, acting as his own form of discrimination.

For instance, the government has attempted to deport several foreign students who participated in pro-Palestine activities on campus, which raised concerns about free speech.

How big is Zohran Mamdani’s win in New York primary?

US politics are shocked by the Democratic Socialist Party’s victory in the New York City mayor’s primary. &nbsp,

The headlines declare a political earthquake. a stunning victory A wake-up call for America’s Democratic Party.

The news media has been blabbering over Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the mayoral election in New York City.

But why did he win, and how significant is it for US politics?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests: 

Palestinian-American activist and political strategist Linda Sarsour of New York

Democratic political strategist in Washington, DC, Joi Chaney

Boxing: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr: Start time, fight card and how to watch

YouTube celebrity boxer Jake Paul will face off against another former world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., seven months after his sensational fight against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion Chavez Jr., 39, has only competed once in the past three and a half years and hasn’t won a major title in 13 years. Over the past few years, he’s also experienced some well-known personal issues.

Everything you need to know about the Paul-Chavez conflict is listed below:

What day and time does the Paul-Chavez fight begin?

Six undercard fights will take place before the main fight on Saturday, June 28.

The fight will start shortly after Paul-Chavez Jr’s ring walk is scheduled for 8 p.m. PST on Saturday (03:00 GMT on Sunday).

Where is Paul Chavez being held?

The fight takes place at the Anaheim, California Honda Center.

For boxing competitions, it can accommodate about 7, 000 people.

Paul was supposed to face Canelo Alvarez, right?

Paul claimed Canelo Alvarez “ducked” a fight with him in February, leading to a lucrative four-fight contract with Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season, a Saudi-based organization.

Paul claimed in a video posted to his social media account that he had signed a contract with Alvarez for a May 3 fight in Las Vegas.

You (Alvarez) could be bought, Paul said at the time, “in all likelihood.” You’re chasing your next nut, a money-hungry squirrel. These sports-washing, covert individuals are actually paying you hundreds of millions of dollars to stop our fight because they can’t bring it to a bigger fight than me and you.

[John Locher/AP] Canelo Alvarez celebrates defeating Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight title fight on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, US.

What issues has Chavez Jr. encountered since becoming the WBC world champion?

Chavez Jr., who won the last major boxing championship in 2012, has struggled both inside and outside of the ring recently.

The most embarrassing moment of his professional boxing career was undoubtedly his shock defeat by split decision to 46-year-old former UFC fighter Anderson Silva in a crossover fight in November 2021. In another coincidence, Paul defeated Silva last year in a fight.

The Mexican’s personal issues include a lack of motivation, repeated failures to shed light on fights, alcohol and drug abuse, an arrest for illegally possessing a firearm in his Los Angeles home, and a failed drug test. Paul made fun of Chavez’s addiction issues and “lack of mentality” at the start of the Paul-Chavez fight in May at The Avalon in Hollywood.

Paul remarked, “I’m going to run him down and embarrass him like he always does.” I’m going to expose him, he said. He will be Mexico’s embarrassment. You can’t beat me and your drug addiction, though.

Jake Paul, who is he?

Paul, who has an 11-1 record, gained notoriety as a YouTuber who turned into a boxer after a social media star.

Despite not having a traditional fighting background through a boxing association, the 28-year-old is one of the sport’s most appealing features.

His fight with Tyson in November, which Paul won in an eight-round decision, attained a staggering 64 million Netflix concurrent streams.

Jake Paul has since started his boxing career earning at least $60 million, according to various sources.

Jake Paul in action.
Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight in a heavyweight fight on November 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas, United States [Julio Cortez/AP]

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who is he?

Over the course of his 17-year career, Chavez Jr, the son of legendary three-division world champion Julio Cesar Chavez, has amassed a professional boxing record of 53 victories (34 KOs, six losses, and one draw.

Sebastian Zbik of Germany defeated Chavez to become the WBC middleweight champion in 2011. He won the title three times, and he was regarded as being in the top echelon of middleweight boxers alongside Canelo Alvarez, a native of Mexico.

However, his career went off the rails after a string of disappointing results, starting with Sergio Martinez’ 2012 defeat and ending with Alvarez’s one-sided defeat.

Since 2012, Chavez’ professional record has been a mediocre 8-6. Chavez Jr. is still thought to have advanced boxing skills that will make him a better competitor for Paul, despite his numerous personal issues.

Chavez Jr in action.
On June 4, 2011, Mark J. Terrill (AP) unleashed a vicious left jab in a fight with Sebastian Zbik to win the WBC Middleweight Championship.

What has Paul said about the conflict?

In an interview with DAZN Boxing, Paul stated, “I would say Chavez is most likely going to be the most difficult opponent I have faced yet,” the most knowledgeable, and literally the most fights of all my opponents.

What has Chavez Jr. said about the conflict?

On June 18th, Chavez Jr. said, “Yes, I’m motivated to end Paul’s career. I still believe I’m better than Jake Paul, so I don’t believe that Jake will fight [and tries to be a]better boxer than me] and has the [need to win]against me. Jake Paul’s career should come to an end, I want to.

Stats of Paul

American nationality
Age: 28
Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85m)
Reach: 76″ (1.93m)
12 fights total
Record: 11-1 (7 KOs)

Chavez Jr. stats

Mexican nationality
Age: 39
Height: 6’0″ (1.83m)
Reach: 73″ (1.85m)
62 fights total
Record: 54-6-1 (1) (34 KOs)

Paul and Chavez react.
Paul . [File: Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images via Reuters] Left and Chavez Jr pose for photos ahead of their June 28 fight.

On the undercard, who is it?

The main undercard fights are scheduled to start on Saturday at 5:00 PM local time (PST) (or 00:00 GMT on Sunday).

    Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Jake Paul (cruiserweight)

  • Yuniel Dorticos (WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles) vs. Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (C)
  • Yolanda Vega and Holly Holm (lightweight)
  • Tevin Farmer vs. Floyd Schofield (lightweight)
  • Julian Rodriguez vs. Avious Griffin at welterweight
  • Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez vs. Raul “Cugar” Curiel (welterweight)
  • Ashley Felix vs. Naomy Valle at light-flyweight

The fight purse is what?

Although the purse split has not been disclosed, it is reported that the match’s prize money is more than $ 20 million.

How to watch

More than 200 countries around the world will be able to watch the fight live on DAZN pay-per-view.

EU calls for Gaza ceasefire, stops short of taking action against Israel

Leaders of the European Union gathered in Brussels to discuss the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza, but they were unable to agree on ways to pressure Israel into putting an end to the conflict.

The EU-Israel Association agreement was likely violated by a report released last week by the diplomatic service, which was released on Thursday. The bloc avoided jetting down about reversing the 25-year-old agreement or taking action on the assessment.

The EU calls for a full end to hostilities and the immediate cessation of hostility in Gaza, according to a statement from the EU.

The EU ordered a review of its association agreement with Israel in May in response to growing allegations that Israel is starving people in Gaza supported by rights organizations and UN experts. The evaluation was time-sensitive, was sent to member states last week.

However, several media outlets quoted informed diplomats who claimed that the findings highlighted Israel’s blockade of Gaza, the killing of civilians, attacks on hospitals, mass displacement of Palestinians in the territory, and the expansion of illegal settlements in occupied West Bank.

The summit’s conclusions on Thursday featured an attenuated statement that criticized “the unacceptable number of civilian casualties and the levels of starvation” in Gaza in light of a growing chasm between Israel-backed countries like Ireland and Spain and Germany and Hungary.

It put the “discussions on a follow-up” to the report’s next month on hold.

Because of those significant differences between some of the key players at the EU regarding how to look ahead in relation to Israel, Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra, a reporter in Brussels, reported on the watered-down version of the final statement.

He said that Germany’s desire to continue providing political and military support to Israel was “unequivocal.”

The timid statement came in spite of Spain and Ireland’s campaign to halt the 2000-diplomatic relationship between the EU and Israel. It supports trade ties between the two countries.

Before the gathering, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin remarked, “The war must stop.” The fact that Europe does not appear to be able to press Israel to end this conflict in Gaza and the ongoing slaughter of innocent children and civilians is beyond comprehension for the people of Europe.

Israeli attacks alone on Thursday resulted in the deaths of 62 people, some of whom were killed close to a humanitarian aid facility run by the shady US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private organization that was contracted to provide aid under the guise of Israeli troops and security personnel.

At least 549 Palestinians have died near GHF sites since the Gaza-based government media office first started conducting operations a month ago, according to a report released on Thursday by the government of Gaza. According to the health ministry of the enclave, 56 out of 156 people have died as a result of the war.

Israeli leaders urged Israel to “throw out its blockade of Gaza” in order to allow for the immediate, unhinged distribution of humanitarian aid there.

They also criticized the West Bank’s escalation, citing “increased settler violence” and “the expansion of illegal settlements.”

Israel’s largest trading partner is still the EU.

On Iran, “Sidelined.”

Conclusions from the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran reiterated earlier calls for a de-escalation and stated that Iran “must fulfill its legally binding nuclear safeguard obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Israel is widely believed to have a nuclear arsenal, whereas Iran denies this.

Iranian lawmakers have already voted to end cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the Guardian Council of Iran, on Thursday.

Ahelbarra, a journalist for Al Jazeera, claimed the Iran statement’s language showed the EU was “completely sidelined” by the conflict, which saw the US bomb nuclear sites before announcing a ceasefire on Monday.

Defense’s foundation has “eroded.”

At the meeting on Thursday, EU leaders discussed the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, which is currently in its fourth year of hostility in Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, urged his country to send a “clear political message” to leaders via video that it was on the verge of EU membership.

Following Wednesday’s NATO summit in the Hague, leaders at the EU’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to raising military spending by 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035.

You would expect them to invest even more in their defense base, which has declined for the past 30 years, according to Teresa Fallon, director of Brussels’ Center for Russia, Europe, and Asia Studies, according to Al Jazeera.

She claimed that US President Donald Trump wanted to “shift the burden to Europe so that the US can concentrate more on China.”

‘Feels like heaven’: Iranians return to Tehran, uncertain of future

Tehran, Iran – Once more, the roads leading to Tehran are jam-packed with people packing suitcases, suitcases, and cautious optimism that their homes might be safe. A ceasefire announced on Monday has begun attracting residents back to the city, which has been plagued by Israeli air strikes for more than 600 Iranians and left hundreds of thousands of people in the capital.

The relief of sleeping in their own beds is tempered by the constant concern that the bombing could resume at any time for many Tehran residents.

Nika, a 33-year-old graphic designer who spent nearly two weeks living with her husband at their relatives’ home in Zanjan, which is located about 286 kilometers (177 miles) northwest of the capital, said, “Coming back home after all these days, even from a place where you had physical safety feels like heaven.” She continued, “But I’m not sure if the ceasefire will last.”

Israel launched what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities at dawn on June 13 that changed millions of lives. The two regional powers engaged in unprecedented firefights that for the first time in decades and directly impacted Tehran.

Many residents, frightened of their lives, were forced to flee the capital for the relative safety of other cities and villages as Israeli attacks on residential areas increased and warnings from American and Israeli officials to evacuate Tehran grew louder.

Many of Tehran’s residents felt the need to give up their lives.

Before the war, Saba, a 26-year-old university student, said, “I had an incredibly busy life. I managed all of my household chores while living in Tehran, working full-time, and studying, all while living alone. I was in shock when the war broke out, for a few days, and I couldn’t believe it was coming to an end. I continued to work, go shopping, or visit a cafe. However, you eventually realized that reality no longer existed. The world was coming to an end.

By the fifth day, she was forced to leave.

“First, my university exams were postponed, then my employer told us to work remotely, and then all of my friends left Tehran,” I thought. She recalled that she felt terrible loneliness. I kept myself busy during the day, but when the sounds of bombing and air defenses started to appear at night, I was unable to fool myself.

Her father drove her to the family’s home in northeastern Iran, where she spent the rest of the day staying there until the ceasefire, leaving her hometown of Quchan, a city close to Mashhad.

The nights “were intolerable.”

At least 610 people died and 1,481 were injured in the conflict, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, with more than 90% of the casualties being civilians.

In response to security concerns, businessman and CEO of a private company in Tehran, Kamran, who requested anonymity, said, “Initially, I had decided to stay in Tehran and keep the company running.” Life was manageable during the day, despite the bombing and the sound of air defense. The father of two, however, described the nights as “absolutely intolerable.”

In the first days of the war, many people fled the city. Two significant issues weighed on their departure at the time: lengthy line-ups at gas stations, heavy traffic, and long line-ups at gas stations, which made it difficult to get to the destination safely.

Many people who had left Tehran have now begun to make their way back after the ceasefire was declared.

Coming back to my own home after 11 days of living in a place without any signs of war, which had no privacy or peace of mind, was like heaven, Nika said.

She said, “It was incredibly challenging to live with 11 other people in an environment that was never quiet, despite years of being accustomed to the silence of my own home.” When the ceasefire was declared, she immediately moved into her Tehran two-bedroom apartment.

Nika acknowledged, “I don’t know whether the ceasefire will last or not. I don’t believe I want to leave my house once more, though, even if it doesn’t.”

Uncertainty in the future

Not everyone had the good fortune to buy a home again.

While he was sheltered with his family in a nearby town, Iranian musician Keyvan Saket learned that an Israeli missile had struck his home. However, his neighbor’s call to deliver the depressing news did not prevent him from returning after the ceasefire was established.

One of the bombs dropped at Saket’s house, according to Saket, causing no more destruction. However, because of safety concerns, it forbade him and his family from entering their home. We encountered an unsettling scene once the issue was resolved and we were permitted inside, he said. The building’s facade was destroyed, the windows and doors were severely damaged, and there were also serious injuries to the refrigerator and washing machine. Even the building’s iron doors were mangled because of the intense attack.

As he contemplated the impact of the conflict, Saket’s voice lacked a strong sense of sorrow. He lamented the loss of a home he cherished, “With every fiber of my being, I despise war and those who ignite it.” The ugliest of all human creations is war, according to the saying.

Both sides have accused one another of violating the ceasefire, and there is a high risk of new violence. Israel claims to have intercepted Iranian missiles after the ceasefire, while Iran has reported continuing Israeli attacks for several hours following the agreement. Israeli forces attacked targets in Tehran, including the notorious Evin Prison, and Iranian missiles attacked areas in Israel right after the ceasefire announcement was announced, and strikes continued on both sides.

A student majoring in political science, Hamed, considers the situation to be fragile. He said, “This feels like a recurring nightmare to me.” On the day the ceasefire was announced, he had already left the southeast of Iran and was concerned about having to flee his hometown and life for good. “I really don’t want to pack my things up and leave my house before I can come back,” he said.

Tehran’s streets are clearly busier than they were before the ceasefire, despite this underlying anxiety. There is evidence of a cautious, determined return to life in the capital as businesses end their remote work policies and retrain employees.

Attacks targeted several provinces, including Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Fars, Kermanshah, and the capital itself, causing significant damage to Tehran’s infrastructure. During the 12-day conflict, Israel claimed to have struck more than 100 targets all over Iran.

Tehran’s wide boulevards are once more swayed by traffic in the early mornings. With a bright smile and a cautious optimism, Saba smiled and said, “Seeing others return to the city alongside me, watching cafes and restaurants reopen, and feeling life flow back into the streets… it truly lifts my heart.” The threat of an uncertain ceasefire looms as the city recovers, a quiet reminder that this fragile revival could be put to the test at any time.

Prosecutors say Diddy used power to abuse women in closing remarks of trial

In the closing arguments of the entertainment mogul’s trial, Sean “Diddy” Combs allegedly used his wealth and influence to evade legal action when he abused women.

Prosecutors told the jury on Thursday that Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges, oversaw a significant criminal conspiracy.

In her opening statement, prosecutor Christy Slavik told the jury that the defendant “used power, violence, and fear to obtain what he wanted.” He believed that the law was being overturned by his fame, wealth, and status.

Harrowing testimony from women who described an environment of cruelty, exploitation, and intimidation have been included in the trial of the billionaire former rapper, a key player in the development of hip-hop in US popular culture.

Prosecutors claimed that Combs used footage of people having sex acts as leverage after six weeks of testimony to push people to attend “freak offs” or “freak parties.”

Slavik claimed that Combs “again and again forced, threatened, and manipulated” singer and former girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura to engage in sexual activity for his own entertainment and used a “small army of employees” from his entertainment empire to cover up abuses and intimidate anyone who tried to push back.

Combs was seated with his head down while Slavik, who was wearing a khaki sweater and khaki pants, made her remarks to the jury. Although Combs has a violent temperament and has assaulted romantic partners, his attorneys claim that prosecutors have misrepresented a sexually antiquated lifestyle as evidence for crimes like trafficking and racketeering.

Judge Arun Subramanian instructed the jury to begin deliberation on Friday, with the defense getting the chance to challenge the defense. Then, before jurors are given instructions on their responsibilities and sent to begin deliberation, the defense would hear the prosecution’s final statements.