Singer Kehlani Removed from Cornell University Performance
In a shocking turn of events, Cornell University has opted to cancel the 'Nights Like This' singer Kehlani's upcoming concert on their campus. The update comes after the institution's president received several objections regarding the R&B artist's contentious opinions about antisemitism and the prolonged Israel-Palestine conflict.
Here's everything you need to know regarding Cornell University's decision to drop Kehlani's forthcoming performance.
Michael Kotlikoff, the president of Cornell University, explained in an open letter that he chose to cancel Kehlani's act as her anti-Israel sentiments seemingly 'injected division and discord' into the establishment's May 7 event. Kehlani had originally received an invitation to conduct a performance at the Ivy League school on Slope Day, an annual celebration held at the university.
In his account regarding Kehlani's canceled concert at Cornell University, Kotlikoff noted, 'In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it.' (via AP News)
Kotlikoff further added that he consulted the concerned event organizers, as well as the student body, before dropping Kehlani's concert at Cornell University. He also wrote, 'I understand that my decision will be celebrated by some and criticized by others. I believe it is the right thing to do and the decision I must make to ensure community and safety at this high-profile event that reaches the entire campus.'
Notably, Kehlani has always been extremely vocal about her support of Palestine in the West Asian nation's struggle against Israel. She famously sang in front of a Palestinian flag in the official music video of her hit single, 'Next 2 U.' Moreover, the video also featured the phrase, 'long live the intifada,' which translates to 'long live the resistance' in English. While many interpret the word 'intifada' as an appeal to incite violence against Jews, some say the phrase is just a call for liberation.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on ComingSoon.
The post Singer Kehlani Removed from Cornell University Performance appeared first on Mandatory.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Anti-ICE protest mostly peaceful; arrest made after fight breaks out
SALT LAKE CITY () — Police estimate more than 1,000 people took to the Salt Lake City streets Thursday to protest ICE and the Trump administration's immigration policies. Salt Lake City Police called the protest 'mostly peaceful' as officers engaged with the crowd as demonstrations began, handing out guidelines for lawful gatherings. At the beginning of the protest, though, two counter protestors entered the crowd and seemed to instigate a fight. Video below: We spoke to one of the counter protestors before the fight broke out. He went by Kissmayoo and told 'Ice, let them do their job, okay? If you came here illegally, you have to go back. We're not trying to kick anybody out on purpose. We're just following the law. All these people out here, I think they're stupid. He is just doing his job.' One demonstrator, Veronica Bojorquez, explained why she believes it's important to show up. 'People are showing up, you know, and they're doing it peacefully and they're showing that we can do this the right way,' she said. 'And they need to listen to the people and especially of red state, where, you know, you think that not as much people as we see today are going to show up. I mean, they're here.' PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Anti-ICE protests begin in Salt Lake City The crowd spilled into the downtown streets with traffic blocked off. Police say they responded to some medical emergencies during the march. They also say the made one arrest after a fight broke out after 9 p.m., after many demonstrators had left. Police also noted, 'participants in the demonstration worked to mitigate and defuse several agitators provoking fights.' Some in the crowd were inspired to demonstrate in response to the raids and riots in Los Angeles. Thomas Camoin told us, 'They instigated it. People are frustrated. You know, it was a puddle of gasoline and Trump's people came in and put a match on it.' Police say a Tesla was vandalized in the demonstration. Chief Brian Redd released a statement in the aftermath saying: 'We're thankful that tonight's demonstration remained mostly peaceful. We also want to thank those organizers and participants who made a genuine effort to keep things lawful and respectful – that is our expectation and doing so respects the values of our community. As there are future demonstrations, we expect everyone to follow the law and to avoid confrontations that could turn violent. I also appreciate the hard work of our Salt Lake City police officers and those from allied agencies for their professionalism and coordination. Our top priority is public safety, which includes doing everything we can to keep safe while protecting our community.' Anti-ICE protest mostly peaceful; arrest made after fight breaks out Honduran nationals indicted after 52,000 fentanyl pills and cash were seized New Nimbus COVID-19 variant — What you need to know Wildfire burns 1500 acres in France Canyon in Garfield County, not contained Judge blocks Trump's National Guard deployment in Los Angeles Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
No, Jennifer Griffin Is Not Leaving Fox News
Wondering if Jennifer Griffin is leaving Fox News? The veteran journalist has reported for the network since 1999 and currently serves as its Chief National Security Correspondent. After a brief absence during major national security coverage, online speculation grew about her status with the network. But is there any truth to the rumors? Here's what we know about Jennifer Griffin's role at Fox News and the facts behind the exit claims. Rumors about Jennifer Griffin leaving Fox News have circulated on social media, but there is no official confirmation from the network. Fox News has made no statements regarding her departure, and Griffin remains active both on air and online. Griffin continues to serve as the Chief National Security Correspondent for Fox News Channel. She has recently reported live on several key national security developments, including Pentagon updates on U.S. and Israeli military operations. On June 12, 2025, she appeared on Fox News @ Night, reporting on the Israel-Iran conflict. Despite temporary speculation after her absence during coverage of the Signal chat leak in March 2025, Mediaite later clarified that Griffin was on vacation when the story broke and returned to work the next day. Griffin also addressed the story directly on X, posting: 'The Trump administration does not deny this Signal group chat about the war planning for the Yemen strikes is real.' Griffin remains active on her verified X account (@JenGriffinFNC), where she regularly shares Pentagon updates, international defense developments, and U.S. military operations. Her page shows continued activity and professional engagement, with 234.8K followers and recent posts from this month. Fox News transcripts confirm that Griffin filed several televised reports in June 2025, including coverage of Iranian nuclear strikes, U.S. troop deployments, and Defense Department hearings. There is no indication that her role in the network has changed. The rumors suggesting her departure are false. No credible source has reported on her leaving, and her continued presence in major Fox News segments, along with her social media activity, confirms she remains in her role. The post No, Jennifer Griffin Is Not Leaving Fox News – Rumors Explained appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israel's attack on Iran was years in the making. How did they get here?
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's massive strike on Iran on Friday morning came after decades of hostilities between the bitter enemies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as its greatest threat, citing the country's nuclear program, its hostile rhetoric and support for anti-Israel proxy groups across the region. Iran meanwhile has pointed to Israel's repeated assassination and sabotage attacks targeting it, as well as its devastating war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, for its enmity. While the two countries have long appeared to be on a collision course, a series of recent developments, including Israeli blows against Iran and its allies and the re-election of President Donald Trump, helped lay the groundwork for Friday's attack. Here's a closer look: Why are Israel and Iran enemies? Following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the country's leadership immediately identified the U.S. and Israel as its main enemies. This was connected in large part to American and Israeli ties to Iran's last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who fled Iran while fatally ill ahead of the revolution and despised by Iran's new leaders. Over the past two decades, Israel has repeatedly accused Iran of developing nuclear weapons. Iran insists it has maintained its nuclear program for peaceful purposes only, but the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog agency has warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make 'several' nuclear bombs if it chose to do so. The International Atomic Energy Agency and Western nations assess Iran had an organized nuclear weapons program until 2003. Iran insists its program is peaceful while still enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed Iran was not pursuing the bomb. Israel sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat, and breaking Iran's regional network of militant proxy groups has been a major goal. 'For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel's destruction,' Netanyahu said Friday. 'They backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons.' As he has done before, Netanyahu drew comparisons to the Holocaust. 'The Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear Holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime,' he said. Iran's Axis of Resistance has been weakened Over the past four decades, Iran built up a network of militant proxy groups it called the ' Axis of Resistance.' These groups – Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and smaller militias in Iraq and Syria -- wielded significant power across the region in recent years. But the axis has weakened since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the ongoing war in Gaza and wider fighting across the region. Israel has decimated Iran's strongest proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. The weakening of Hezbollah contributed to the downfall of Iran's longtime stalwart ally and client in neighboring Syria, President Bashar Assad, last December. After Iran launched a pair of missile attacks on Israel last year, Israel responded with strikes of its own, including an October attack that destroyed Iranian missile sites and weakened its air defenses. The collapse of Iran's proxy network, coupled with Iran's new vulnerability, created an opportunity for Israel to strike. Why did Israel decide to strike now? Netanyahu said time was running out to strike Iran, alleging Iran had taken recent steps to weaponize enriched uranium. 'If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon within a very short time,' he said. At the same time, the state of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran created a window. Those talks have been faltering, but a sixth round was scheduled for Oman on Sunday. An agreement could see the U.S. lift some of its crushing economic sanctions on Iran and make it much harder for Israel to strike. Israeli officials feared the talks were a way for Iran to buy time as it secretly took steps toward a nuclear bomb. On Thursday, for the first time in 20 years, the Board of Governors at the IAEA censured Iran for not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones. By then, Israel apparently had already made up its mind. Trump said he asked Netanyahu not to attack Iran while the negotiations are ongoing. But Trump has a long record of support for Israel, and there appeared to be little immediate blowback.