Police faced stiff resistance as they moved in to clear pro-Palestinian protesters’ encampment on the UCLA campus, resulting in loud bangs and detentions. This action followed violent scenes and arrests of protesters in New York City college campuses. The Antisemitism Awareness Act passed in the House and is headed to the Senate amid ongoing campus protests. The trial of Donald Trump for violating a gag order continues, with prosecutors seeking a criminal contempt charge against him.
A tragic incident in Wisconsin saw a student shot and killed by police outside a middle school, prompting a lockdown and reunification of students with their parents. President Biden pointed the finger at xenophobia for Japan, Russia, and China’s economic troubles during a fundraiser. Arizona’s governor is set to sign a repeal of a Civil War-era abortion ban, sparking debate among Republicans. It was noted that a long-predicted consumer pullback hit fast-food chains, with declining sales reported in the first quarter.
Starbucks, KFC, and Pizza Hut are among the fast-food chains experiencing declining same-store sales, signaling a tough market for quick-service restaurants. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reassured the nation that there is no sign of stagflation despite inflation and economic growth concerns. In politics, tensions rise as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene seeks to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, and Trump’s meetings with world leaders draw criticism. A report highlighted the issue of abuse and grooming within the Boy Scouts’ police Explorer program, prompting concerns about lack of supervision.
In other news, a California superintendent was terminated for allegedly threatening students at an awards banquet, while scientists revealed the face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman. A North Carolina girl discovered a hive of over 50,000 bees behind her wall, and the arrest of a high-ranking Russian official sparked speculation. Prosecutors aim to retry Harvey Weinstein in the fall, and the NAACP called for a federal investigation into the death of Frank Tyson. Former Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider filed a defamation lawsuit related to the “Quiet on Set” docuseries. The Selection newsletter offered alternatives to retinol for skincare.
