: 5 crucial points for April 30: University demonstrations, Trump's trial, bird flu outbreaks, internet legislation, and coal power plant issues.
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1. University demonstrations
Hundreds of protesters have been detained at more than 20 universities across the country as schools prepare for graduation ceremonies. Last night, around 200 student demonstrators barricaded the entrance to one of Columbia University's main undergraduate buildings. Protests began after the school began suspending students who refused to leave an on-campus encampment. Cornell University has also said it will be suspending student protesters who won't relocate. Additionally, numerous arrests were made at UT-Austin, with most of the arrestees not associated with the university, according to school officials.
2. Trump's trial
The third week of Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial begins today in New York. Prosecutors are expected to continue questioning Gary Farro, Michael Cohen's former banker, about the financial arrangements that were made to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels - the central issue in the case. Farro's testimony today is expected to delve deeper into the documentation of the falsified business records charges that Trump is facing. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and declares the supposed affair to be untrue. The judge has yet to determine if he'll hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order, which forbids him from making public statements about trial witnesses, the prosecutors, court staff, and their families.
3. Avian influenza
The United States Department of Agriculture is testing beef, including ground beef in grocery stores, for the presence of the H5N1 bird flu virus that's spreading among dairy cattle. The agency is also conducting cooking tests, which will inoculate ground beef with a "virus surrogate" and cook it to different temperatures to determine the amount of virus killed by each heat setting. For reassurance, the agency announced that "USDA is confident that the meat supply is safe." The agency highlights "multiple safeguards in place" and advises consumers to cook their meat to a "safe internal temperature," which eliminates bacteria and viruses.
4. Internet bills
More than 23 million American households will need to pay more money or give up their internet access as a crucial federal aid program comes to an end in May. The Affordable Connectivity Program, which covers home internet service for low-income households, is in danger of running out of funds. The program is heavily used by individuals over 50, military veterans, and low-income working families all over the nation. According to the White House, military families represent nearly half of the ACP's subscriber base. President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats have blamed Republicans in the House of Representatives for halting legislation that would extend the ACP.
5. Coal plants
G7 ministers have agreed to close down all their coal plants by 2035 at the latest, a UK minister stated on Monday, potentially marking a crucial milestone in the fight against climate change. Ending the use of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, has been a contentious issue in international climate meetings. Previously, Japan, which depends on coal for 32% of its electricity, has blocked progress in this area at past G7 gatherings. This development comes shortly after the EPA introduced new rules requiring coal-fired power plants to either capture almost all of their greenhouse gas emissions or shut down by 2039.
Breakfast reading
A new trailer for the Lion King sequel has been released, featuring contributions from Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy. Check it out here.
Travis Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has just agreed to a new contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, making him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
Archaeologists have uncovered a mysterious 12-sided Roman artifact and are still trying to figure out what it may have been used for.
Samsung has posted huge profit gains due to the growing demand for artificial intelligence.
Paramount Global has parted ways with its CEO, Bob Bakish, as the firm competes fiercely in the streaming industry.
Today's number
10%This is the percentage of high school students in the U.S. who regularly vape, according to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. A new study has revealed that e-cigarette usage among teens might increase the risk of exposure to lead and uranium, potentially affecting brain and organ development in young people.
These are the brave individuals who risked their lives to save ours, charging into danger to keep us secure.
— President Joe Biden, expressing his condolences for the four officers who were fatally shot while serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina.
TODAY'S WEATHER
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AND FINALLY ...
How a discounted Paris apartment is a steal for one lucky occupant An occupant managed to snag an apartment in a renowned Paris building for an astoundingly low $800 per month. Watch the video below to discover more. [$video_link]
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Source: edition.cnn.com
