Latest news with #ColumbiaUniversity
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
'A seismic change': Trump wants LGBTQ+ material axed from sex ed
The federal Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program serves more than 300,000 youth. The Trump administration is telling organizations working to prevent teen pregnancy that they must stop teaching content that doesn't align with the administration's views on transgender people and parental rights or they'll risk losing their federal funding. Seventy-three organizations – including local health departments, community groups and universities – receive a portion of the $101 million budget for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program each year. The groups serve more than 300,000 youth, mostly in school settings. "This is a seismic change," said Adrian Shanker, the former deputy assistant secretary for health policy under President Joe Biden. "This is a program that has been effective at keeping teens across the country from getting pregnant, so this should be a universally appreciated goal." The Department of Health and Human Services policy, announced in a July 1 memo to grantees, bans grant-funded programs from teaching about sex that is not heterosexual vaginal intercourse. It also bans 'the eroticization of birth control methods' and bans any content on creating more pleasurable sexual experiences. The policy goes on to prohibit any discussion of youth experiencing gender dysphoria or expressing transgender identities. "The statute does not require, support, or authorize teaching minors about (ideological) content, including the radical ideological claim that boys can identify as girls and vice versa," the memo to grant recipients says. "Programs must be aimed at reducing teen pregnancy, not instructing in such ideological content." Public health experts say the move could further stigmatize LGBTQ+ youth, who have higher rates of teen pregnancy than their heterosexual peers, and often feel less comfortable speaking to parents or health care providers about sex. Emily Hilliard, the press secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services, said in a statement that the new policy 'ensures that taxpayer dollars no longer support content that undermines parental rights, promotes radical gender ideology, or exposes children to sexually explicit material under the banner of public health.' Corina T. Lelutiu-Weinberger, an associate professor of health sciences research at Columbia University in New York, said teen pregnancy rates are already disproportionately high among bisexual girls, so making it harder to talk about their sexual behavior puts them at higher risk. A 2018 study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that bisexual girls had 'nearly five times the risk of teen pregnancy, and those who identified as mostly heterosexual or lesbian had about twice the risk compared to teens who were completely heterosexual.' Most of the disparity was explained by physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Lelutiu-Weinberger said youth tend to figure out their sexuality alone because they don't want to talk about it with their parents. She said LGBTQ+ people also tend to have a harder time talking about sex with health care providers, who often are not comfortable about talking about sex, or may have their own biases. 'There is a lot of discomfort and mislabeling and often there are no conversations,' Lelutiu-Weinberger said. 'And both parties are uncomfortable bringing it up because of fear of stigma.' Amelia Stanton, a Boston University professor and investigator for the Sexual, Reproductive and Mental Health Disparities Program, said the changes don't align with science or promote the best interest of public health. 'If we're limiting that information, we're not offering tools for planning,' Stanton said. 'We're not offering the opportunity to really learn how to prevent STIs or how to have agency in sexual activity.' Stanton said heterosexual intercourse might align more with traditional values, but failing to teach kids about oral sex, anal sex and other sexual behavior that carries risk for sexually transmitted infections will cause the rates of those infections to increase. Nearly half the nation's cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in 2023 were reported in people 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Infections were disproportionately high among men who had sex with men. Shanker, the former Biden aide, said that Congress created the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in 2010 under President Barack Obama to replace an abstinence-only sex education model in place under President George W. Bush. 'We have a comprehensive program that's highly effective, and they're tinkering with it for political purposes instead of trying to achieve public health results for the American people,' Shanker said.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Zohran Mamdani's dad's startling words about suicide bombers as 'soldiers' who could end his political career
The father of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash over a resurfaced book in which he referred to suicide bombers as a type of 'soldier.' Mahmood Mamdani - a 79-year-old professor of anthropology, political science, and African studies at Columbia University - has faced growing criticism, alongside his son, for his stance on Israel, particularly in the lead-up to the anticipated November election. On Thursday, however, Mahmood sparked a new wave of controversy on social media after an excerpt from his 2004 book, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror, was shared on X. 'We need to recognize the suicide bomber, first and foremost, as a category of soldier,' the younger Mahmood wrote. 'Suicide bombing needs to be understood as a feature of modern political violence rather than stigmatized as a mark of barbarism,' he added. Since ultimately winning the Democratic primary, 33-year-old Zohran has faced mounting scrutiny, with some far-right MAGA lawmakers even calling for his citizenship to be revoked over claims linking him to 'Islamic terrorism.' Earlier this month, the self-described socialist was pressed by NBC's Kristen Welker over his refusal to condemn the phrase 'globalize the intifada' - a slogan many interpret as a call for violence against Israeli and Jewish people worldwide. His father has since been thrown into the voices of distaste, after billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman reposted an excerpt from Mahmood's book to X on July 10. 'The apple @ZohranKMomdani doesn't fall far from the tree,' he captioned it. One person online wrote in response: 'This is very scary,' while another added: 'Only an out-of-touch academic like this man could convince people that blowing yourself up with the express goal of killing as many innocents as possible, is not barbarism.' A third chimed in: 'This guy CANNOT win. And anyone who supports his candidacy is naïve.' The book - which argues that the labels 'good' Westernized and 'bad' premodern Muslims refer to political identities rather than cultural or religious ones - aims to provide insight into the years following 9/11 and address the pressing question of how it happened. In the excerpt, while defending his position on recognizing suicide bombers as 'soldiers,' Mahmood wrote: 'Clearly, the prime objective of the suicide bomber is not to terminate his or her own life but that of others defined as enemies.' 'Does not the suicide bomber join both aspects of our humanity, particularly as it has been fashioned by political modernity, in that we are willing to subordinate life - both our own and that of others - to objectives we consider higher than life?' he added. He then explains that labeling suicide bombing as mere 'barbarism' is dangerous, as it overlooks its nature as a form of political warfare rather than a random act of violence. 'The danger of a moral discussion by itself (how can any culture condone suicide) is that it quickly turns into a replay of Culture Talk, stereotyping individuals and preventing any deliberation about alternative strategies,' Mahmood wrote. The resurfacing of the 324-page book sparked renewed controversy over Mahmood's political and activist affiliations, revealing that the professor is involved with several groups condemning the unfolding genocide on Palestinian soil. Mahmood is listed on the advisory policy council for The Gaza Tribunal - an organization founded in London in 2024 with the stated goal of 'awakening civil society to its responsibility and opportunity to stop Israel's genocide in Gaza,' according to its website. Richard Falk, president of The Gaza Tribunal, outlined the group's support for the BDS movement, which critics describe as 'an international campaign to delegitimize the State of Israel as the expression of the Jewish people's right to national self-determination,' according to Influence Watch. The campaign, which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, is part of the Tribunal's broader mission, with Falk stating in an online post that it aims to 'legitimize and encourage civil society solidarity initiatives around the world, such as BDS.' Zohran has also voiced support for the BDS movement, stating that it is 'consistent with the core of my politics, which is non-violence,' in response to questions about whether he believes Israel has a right to exist. Despite the online backlash, Falk has stated that Jewish voters in Manhattan 'should not worry' about Mahmood ties to The Gaza Tribunal or about Zohran's candidacy for mayor, according to Fox News Digital. 'Both father and son are respectful of international law, the UN, human rights of all peoples, and the pacific settlement of political disputes,' Falk told the outlet. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health reported this week that more than 55,104 people in Gaza have been killed and nearly 127,400 have been wounded in the last 20 months - with women and children making up more than half of the casualties, according to the Associated Press. The World Health Organization also reported that many more are believed to be buried under rubble or in areas inaccessible to local medics, according to the outlet. On Wednesday, Israel announced that its forces had recovered the remains of two additional hostages in Gaza, while militants are still holding 53 captives - fewer than half of whom are believed to be alive.
Harvard Business Review
7 hours ago
- Business
- Harvard Business Review
Have You Built Up Your Conflict Intelligence?
Conflict has always been a big part of the business world, whether in the board room, between startup cofounders, or when employees start to disagree with the C suite. But it seems even more pronounced at work today, as political and economic issues seep into the office. Leaders must have the muscles to handle conflict big and small, argues Peter T. Coleman, a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he directs the Morton Deutsch International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution. He explains essential ingredients to conflict-intelligence, like adaptability and creativity – and how they can help you run a better organization. Coleman is the author of the HBR article ' The Conflict-Intelligent Leader.'
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Democrats must ‘toughen up' against Trump, Obama tells donors
The former president's words were a critique of the party's elites for having gone quiet when they were sorely needed to step up. WASHINGTON – Former President Barack Obama has a stern critique for members of his party: Too many have been cowed into silence. In private remarks to party donors on the night of July 11, Mr Obama scolded Democrats for failing to speak out against President Donald Trump and his policies, suggesting they were shrinking from the challenge out of fear of retribution. 'It's going to require a little bit less navel-gazing and a little less whining and being in fetal positions. And it's going to require Democrats to just toughen up,' Mr Obama said at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee at the home of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. 'What I have been surprised by is the degree to which I've seen people who, when I was president, or progressives, liberals, stood for all kinds of stuff, who seem like they are kind of cowed and intimidated and shrinking away from just asserting what they believe, or at least what they said they believe,' he added. Locked out of power in Washington, Democrats have been largely arguing among themselves about how to confront a hostile Trump administration. Mr Obama's remarks were circulated by his office on July 14. He expressed particular disdain for law firms that he said had been willing to 'set aside the law' in response to Mr Trump's actions 'not because, by the way, that they're going to be thrown in jail, but because they might lose a few clients and might not be able to finish that kitchen rehab at their Hampton house. I'm not impressed'. Mr Obama did not mention Columbia University, his alma mater, which is on the verge of paying hundreds of millions of dollars to settle with the Trump administration over accusations it permitted antisemitism on campus, or identify any of the prominent Democratic law firms that have made deals with Mr Trump's White House. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business 'Some cannot source outside China': S'pore firms' challenges and support needed amid US tariffs Multimedia From local to global: What made top news in Singapore over the last 180 years? World Trump arms Ukraine and threatens sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil Singapore Turning tragedy into advocacy: Woman finds new purpose after paralysis Opinion Sumiko at 61: Everything goes south when you age, changing your face from a triangle to a rectangle Sport World Aquatics C'ship women's 10km open water swimming event delayed by a day due to water quality Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Ex-cop charged after he allegedly went on MHA portal, unlawfully shared info with man But the former president's comments were interpreted by people in the room as a critique of the party's elites for having gone quiet when they were sorely needed to step up, according to a person who attended. The excerpts provided by Mr Obama's office contained no evidence of physician-heal-thyself reflectiveness. Mr Obama, after all, has scarcely been at the tip of the Democratic spear in resisting Mr Trump. He has issued few public statements opposing Trump administration actions and has yet to appear in 2025 at a rally, town hall or other public event staged by opponents of Mr Trump. Mr Obama has spent much of his post-presidential life producing movies , documentaries and podcasts while building a beachfront compound in Hawaii and playing golf on Martha's Vineyard. In June, Mr Obama appeared in a conversation in Connecticut with celebrity historian Heather Cox Richardson during which he said the country was 'dangerously close' to sliding into autocracy. On July 11, not only did Mr Obama scold Democrats who have failed to speak out against Mr Trump and his administration, he also appeared to mock the level of sacrifice or risk-taking that doing so required. He invoked the 9-foot-by-9-foot prison cell in which anti-apartheid icon and politician Nelson Mandela spent 27 years, saying, 'Nobody's asking for that kind of courage.' Mr Obama warned that the country was in danger of backsliding on the steady social progress it has made since World War II – a period 'in which everything kept getting better, more or less,' he said. 'For most of our lives, it was easy to stand for equality and justice, et cetera,' Mr Obama said. 'You didn't really have to make a lot of sacrifices. That hasn't been true for most of human history or American history. It's still not true in most of the world. So these are moments where your values are tested and you have to stand up for them.' 'Don't tell me you're a Democrat, but you're kind of disappointed right now, so you're not doing anything,' Mr Obama added. 'Don't say that you care deeply about free speech and then you're quiet. No, you stand up for free speech when it's hard. When somebody says something that you don't like, but you still say, you know what, that person has the right to speak. It is, you know, what's needed now is courage.' During the fundraiser, Mr Obama praised the Democratic nominees for governor of New Jersey, Representative Mikie Sherrill, and Virginia, former Representative Abigail Spanberger. He also urged donors to contribute to the Democratic National Committee, which his own aides worked to diminish during his presidency. Mr Obama also waded into a dispute between the party's left and some moderates, telling the donors that, whatever their ideology, it was incumbent on Democrats to produce tangible results for voters if they hoped to win elections and regain power. 'You want to deliver for people and make their lives better? You got to figure out how to do it,' he said. 'I don't care how much you love working people. They can't afford a house because all the rules in your state make it prohibitive to build.' NYTIMES
CNBC
a day ago
- Business
- CNBC
Emily Kasriel
Emily Kasriel worked at the BBC for over two decades as an award-winning journalist, editor and media executive. She developed the Deep Listening approach as a Senior Visiting Research Fellow at King's College Policy Institute in London, drawing on her experience as an accredited executive coach and workplace mediator. She is also now a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University. Previously, she's been a Visiting Fellow at Said Business School at Oxford University, and a Senior Advisor to the Skoll Foundation. An MA graduate of the University of Oxford and Syracuse University's Maxwell School of International Relations (as a Rotary International Fellow), she lives in London.
