Latest news with #GeorgeWashingtonUniversity
International Business Times
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- International Business Times
Did Stephen Miller Punch Elon Musk? Wild Theories about Musk's Black Eye Surface after Katie Miller Quits White House to Work for Tesla CEO
Elon Musk made headlines on Friday as he appeared alongside Donald Trump in the Oval Office to bid farewell to the White House. However, it was Musk's black eye that caught the attention of most of the viewers, sparking a wave of speculation about he got the shiner, with the billionaire blaming it on playful roughhousing with his four-year-old son, X. However, online detectives were quick to suggest other possibilities, with some even floating the wild theory that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was responsible for the bruise. This came as Miller's wife, Katie Miller, announced that she is leaving the Trump administration to join Musk's Tesla. Who Gave the Black Eye? Katie Miller announced that she will join Musk full-time and has also been posting regularly on X about Musk's private companies, as well as the cryptocurrency DOGE. Katie Miller, who holds a degree in public administration from George Washington University, previously worked as a special assistant to Trump and served as press secretary to then-Vice President Mike Pence during Trump's first term in office. Much like Musk, she was also a "Special Government Employee" during Trump's second term, a designation that limited her federal service to a maximum of 130 days. Katie, 34, married Stephen Miller in 2020 at the Trump Hotel in Washington, as her first stint at the White House came to an end—roughly two years after mutual friends introduced them. The couple also appear to align on immigration policy. At one point, Homeland Security sent Katie to check family separations at the border firsthand, reportedly in an effort to increase her empathy. However, according to a conversation Katie Miller had with journalist Jacob Soboroff for his 2020 bestseller Separated: Inside an American Tragedy, the move to make her more sympathetic by witnessing family separations "didn't work." As both Katie Miller and Musk step away from their respective roles, social media users have been speculating about the origin of Musk's black eye. Notably, some pointed out that the bruise was on Musk's right eye, while Stephen Miller is left-handed — fueling theories that Miller could have landed the blow with his left hand. Wild Theories Float Online Adding to the speculation, reports suggest lingering tension between Musk and Miller after Musk publicly criticized Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," arguing it "undermines the efforts" of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would raise the national deficit by between $2.3 trillion and $3.8 trillion over the next ten years. One user on X posted, "Yoo did Elon Musk get straight up punched in the face? That's a left hook black eye if I've ever seen one. Might explain his delayed talk?" Another provocative post added fuel to the rumors, claiming, "This is a black eye delivered by someone who can't throw a punch," implying Stephen Miller may have been responsible. Some users also speculated that Miller was especially upset over his wife's departure from DOGE to join Musk full-time. Democrats, often short on media attention lately, quickly jumped into the conversation. The Democratic Party's official X account posted a photo of an empty hotel chair, tagging Stephen Miller in a playful reference to the swirling rumor gripping Washington. Multiple sources said that Katie Miller, a senior adviser and spokesperson for DOGE, is exiting the Trump administration along with Musk and will be joining his expanding business ventures on a full-time basis. While her exact position has not yet been announced, insiders suggest she will likely be involved in Musk's federal policy efforts and technology-related projects.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Should women be in combat?
Women weren't allowed to officially serve in combat jobs when Emelie Vanasse started her ROTC program at George Washington University. Instead, she used her biology degree to serve as a medical officer — but it still bothered Vanasse to be shut out of something just because she was a woman. 'I always felt like, who really has the audacity to tell me that I can't be in combat arms? I'm resilient, I am tough, I can make decisions in stressful environments,' Vanasse said. By 2015, the Obama administration opened all combat jobs to women, despite a plea from senior leaders in the Marine Corps to keep certain frontline units male only. Then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter told reporters that, 'We cannot afford to cut ourselves off from half the country's talents and skills.' The policy change meant that women could attend Ranger school, the training ground for the Army Rangers, an elite special operations infantry unit. When Capt. Kristen Griest and 1st Lt. Shaye Haver became the first women to graduate from the school in 2015, Vanasse taped their photos to her desk and swore she would be next, no matter what it took. She went on to become one of the first women to serve as an Army infantry officer and graduated from Ranger school in 2017. After the Pentagon integrated women into combat jobs, the services developed specific fitness standards for jobs like infantry and armor with equal standards for men and women. Special operations and other highly specialized units require additional qualification courses that are also gender-neutral. To continue past the first day of Ranger school, candidates must pass the Ranger Physical Fitness test, for which there is only one standard. Only the semi-annual fitness tests that service members take, which vary by branch, are scaled for age and gender. Despite that, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has continued to insist that the standards were lowered for combat roles. In a podcast interview in November, Hegseth said, 'We've changed the standards in putting [women in combat], which means you've changed the capability of that unit.' (Despite Hegseth's remark, many women worked alongside male infantry units in Iraq and Afghanistan, facing the same dangerous conditions.) In the same interview, Hegseth said that he didn't believe women should serve in combat roles. In March, Hegseth ordered the military services to make the basic fitness standards for all combat jobs gender-neutral. The Army is the first service to comply: Beginning June 1, most combat specialties will require women to meet the male standard for basic physical fitness, something most women serving in active-duty combat roles are already able to do. Vanasse told Noel King on Today, Explained what it was like to attend Ranger School at a time when some men didn't want to see a woman in the ranks. What is Ranger School? I went to Ranger School on January 1, 2017. I woke up at 3 am that day in Fort Benning, Georgia, shaved my head, a quarter-inch all the way around, just like the men. Took my last hot shower, choked down some French toast, and then I drove to Camp Rogers, and I remember being very acutely aware of the pain that the school would inflict, both physically and mentally. I was also very aware that there was kind of half of this population of objective graders that just kind of hated my guts for even showing up. They hated you for showing up because you're a woman? Back in 2016 and 2017, it was so new to have women in Ranger School. I used to think, I don't have to just be good, I have to be lucky. I have to get a grader who is willing to let a woman pass. I had dark times at that school. I tasted real failure. I sat under a poncho in torrential rain and I shivered so hard my whole body cramped. I put on a ruck that weighed 130 pounds and I crawled up a mountain on my hands and knees. I hallucinated a donut shop in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains and I cried one morning when someone told me I had to get out of my sleeping bag. But I think all of those experiences are quintessential Ranger School experiences. They're what everyone goes through there. And I think the point of the school is that failure, that suffering, it's not inherently bad, right? In a way, I like to think Ranger School was the most simplistic form of gender integration that ever could have happened because if I was contributing to the team, there was no individual out there that really had the luxury of disliking or excluding me. When you wanted to give up, what did you tell yourself? What was going through your head? I don't think I ever considered quitting Ranger School. I just knew that it was something that I could get through and had the confidence to continue. I had a thought going in of What could be so bad that would make me quit? and the answer that I found throughout the school was, Nothing. Did you ever feel like they had lowered the standards for you compared to the men who were alongside you? No. Never. I did the same thing that the men did. I did the same Ranger physical fitness test that all the men took. I ran five miles in 40 minutes. I did 49 pushups, 59 situps, six pullups. I rucked 12 miles in three hours with a 45-pound ruck. I climbed the same mountains. I carried the same stuff. I carried the same exact packing list they did, plus 250 tampons for some reason. At no point were the standards lowered for me. Whose idea was it for you to carry 250 tampons? It was not mine! It was a misguided effort to have everyone very prepared for the first women coming through Ranger School. In Ranger School, there's only one standard for the fitness test. Everybody has to meet it, and that allows you to get out of Ranger School and say, 'Look, fellas, I took the same test as the men and I passed.' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is saying that Army combat jobs should only have one standard of fitness for both men and women. And there's part of me that thinks: Doesn't that allow the women who meet the standards to be like, look, I think gender-neutral standards for combat arms are very important. It should not be discounted how important physical fitness is for combat arms. I think there's nuance in determining what is a standard that is useful for combat arms, right? But it's an important thing. And there have been gender-neutral standards for combat arms. In things like Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course, which is the initial basic training for officers going into the infantry, there are gender-neutral standards that you have to meet: You have to run five miles in 40 minutes, you have to do a 12-mile ruck. All of those standards have remained the same. Pete Hegseth is specifically referring to the Army Combat Physical Fitness test, and to a certain extent I agree, it should be gender-neutral for combat arms. But I think there's nuance in determining what exactly combat arms entails physically. Secretary Hegseth has a lot to say about women, and sometimes he says it directly and sometimes he alludes to it. What he often does is he talks about lethality as something that is critically important for the military. He says the Army in particular needs more of it, but he never really defines what he means by lethality. What is the definition as you understand it? There's a component of lethality that is physical fitness and it should not be discounted. But lethality extends far beyond that, right? It's tactical skills, it's decision-making, it's leadership, it's grit, it's the ability to build trust and instill purpose and a group of people. It's how quick a fire team in my platoon can react to contact. How well my SAW [Squad Automatic Weapon] gunner can shoot, how quickly I can employ and integrate combat assets, how fast I can maneuver a squad. All of those things take physical fitness, but they certainly take more than just physical fitness. There's more to lethality than just how fast you can run and how many pushups you can do. To an average civilian like myself, I hear lethality and I think of the dictionary definition, the ability to kill. Does this definition of lethality involve the ability, physically and emotionally and psychologically, to kill another person? Absolutely. And so when Secretary Hegseth casts doubt on the ability of women to be as lethal as men, do you think there's some stuff baked in there that maybe gets to his idea of what women are willing and able to do? Yes, possibly. I think the [secretary's] message is pretty clear. According to him, the women in combat arms achieved success because the standards were lowered for them. We were never accommodated and the standards were never lowered. What's your response, then, to hearing the Secretary of Defense say women don't belong in combat? It makes me irate, to be honest. Like, it's just a complete discounting of all of the accomplishments of the women that came before us. Do you think that if Secretary Hegseth could take a look at what you did in Ranger School, and he could hear from you that there were no second chances, there were no excuses, there was no babying, the men didn't treat you nicer just because you were a woman, do you think he'd change his mind about women serving in combat? I'd like to think he would, but I've met plenty of people whose minds couldn't be changed by reality. I'd love it if he went to Ranger School. He has a lot of opinions about Ranger School for someone who does not have his Ranger tab. What is a Ranger tab, for civilians? A Ranger tab is what you receive upon graduating Ranger School, which means you have passed all three phases and you are now Ranger-qualified in the military. You have that. And the Secretary of Defense doesn't. He does not, though he has a lot of opinions about Ranger School.
Chicago Tribune
a day ago
- Chicago Tribune
Law & Order column: Zion man charged in restaurant robbery
Authorities say that they have charged a Zion man for an armed robbery of a fast-food restaurant in Beach Park. Shane L. Lones, 41, of the 1800 block of Jethro Avenue, was arrested by Lake County Sheriff's Office detectives on May 23, the day after the robbery in the 38900 block of North Lewis. Police said that a man entered the restaurant at about 7:35 p.m. on May 22 and produced a knife before taking money from the cash register and fleeing. Neither employee at the business was hurt. Detectives traced several leads that indicated Lones was the perpetrator, including security camera footage that shows Lones entering a nearby vehicle after the hold-up, police said. The following day, detectives found Lones in his car near his residence and took him into custody. A subsequent search turned up clothing police say Lones wore during the robbery. He has been charged with one count of armed robbery, and was ordered detained until trial, according to court records. Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek recently earned her master's degree in health administration, which she said she hopes will help her perform her duties. Banek, who is an advanced practice nurse, completed her degree through George Washington University. 'As both an advanced practice nurse and a public official, I pursued this degree to better advocate for systemic improvements, enhance interagency coordination, and bring forward-thinking leadership to my office and to Lake County as a whole,' she said. Lake County Board Chairman Sandy Hart lauded the coroner. 'Jennifer's pursuit of an MHA is a testament to her commitment to strengthening public health infrastructure in Lake County,' Hart said. 'Her clinical background, combined with advanced administrative training, gives her a unique and powerful perspective as our coroner.' State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said Banek's investment in advanced education, 'shows the kind of proactive leadership that builds stronger, healthier communities. We applaud her initiative and look forward to even deeper collaboration between our departments.' Grayslake Police Chief Jeff Myrha is the guest on the latest episode of the 'Discovering Grayslake' podcast. Myhra, according to the podcast, discusses his life in law enforcement, and 'his passion for fostering a safe, connected community.' Myhra was appointed chief in August 2024 after serving as deputy chief for 10 years. He started as a community service officer in 1997, and worked his way up through the ranks before replacing Phil Perlini, who retired. A link to the podcast is available on the Grayslake police Facebook page. The city of Highland Park held a reception to recognize the law enforcement, first responders and medical professionals who provided emergency care to a man suffering a heart attack this spring. The city presented commendations to Office Ginger Stokes and dentist Dr. Michael Czarkowski, and recognized the professionalism and lifesaving contributions of Highland Park firefighter/EMTs Kevin Best, Andrew Beverly, Trevor Mount, and Nick Traske, and Dr. Benjamin Feinzimer of Endeavor Health's Physician Response Vehicle Program. August Swanenberg, who suffered the medical emergency and is recovering, was on hand at the City Council chambers. He was leaving the Chicago Botanical Garden on March 11 when he suffered a cardiac event while driving. Stokes used her department-issued defibrillator and, along with bystanders, including Czarkowski and paramedics, was able to re-establish Swanenberg's heartbeat. 'I am one lucky bird,' Swanenberg told the City Council and members of the audience at the May 27 event.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Capital Jewish Museum reopens as community continues to mourn couple killed
WASHINGTON - The Capital Jewish Museum will reopen Thursday, a little more than a week after two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside its doors. The Brief The Capital Jewish Museum reopens Thursday, honoring two Israeli embassy staffers killed in a recent shooting. A memorial event at George Washington University drew mourners amid heightened security. Museum officials reaffirm their commitment to promoting dialogue, diversity, and education against hatred. Museum leaders plan to hold an invitation-only tribute ceremony honoring 30-year-old Israeli-German national Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old American Sarah Milgrim at 10 a.m. The two were not only Israeli Embassy staffers but a couple planning to get engaged in Jerusalem this week, according to officials. The museum will then reopen to the public at noon. On Wednesday night, mourners gathered at George Washington University for a memorial event. Security was heightened with metal detectors, police presence, and K-9 units as tensions remain high. READ MORE: 'Did it for Gaza:' Capital Jewish Museum shooting suspect D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith spoke at the gathering. Milgrim's father emotionally addressed the crowd by phone. Ahead of the reopening, museum officials reaffirmed their commitment to sharing the history of Jewish life in the greater Washington region. "We believe these horrific acts are the most heinous form of antisemitism. They are a stark and tragic reminder of the hatred that, regrettably, still exists in our world. In the face of such darkness, we are called upon to respond not with despair, but with resilience," the museum said in a statement posted to their website. Museum leaders emphasized the importance of promoting dialogue, celebrating diversity, and combating hatred through education. READ MORE: Hundreds attend memorial for Israeli Embassy workers killed What they're saying A Message from the Museum's Leadership Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters, This previous week has been harrowing for all of us at the Capital Jewish Museum, and indeed, for the entire community. We are reeling from the senseless and brutal murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. Our hearts ache for their families and friends; we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to all who knew and loved them. The pain of this loss is profound and reverberates throughout our city. We believe these horrific acts are the most heinous form of antisemitism. They are a stark and tragic reminder of the hatred that, regrettably, still exists in our world. In the face of such darkness, we are called upon to respond not with despair, but with resilience. The Capital Jewish Museum stands as a testament to Jewish life, culture, and history, and we believe it is an important antidote to antisemitism. Our exhibits and programs are designed to educate, enlighten, and foster understanding, serving as a beacon against prejudice and intolerance. Therefore, we want to assure you that while we have paused our operations to mourn and to further enhance our security measures, we will reopen our doors to the community very soon. We continue our commitment to ensuring that our museum is a safe and welcoming space for everyone. We look forward to once again making our rich exhibits available, including our new and highly anticipated LGBTJews in the Federal City exhibit, which celebrates the vibrant and diverse tapestry of Jewish identity. In these challenging times, the museum's mission is more vital than ever. We are dedicated to promoting dialogue, celebrating diversity, and combating hatred through education and understanding. We will continue to be a place where history is honored, and where we collectively build a more inclusive and tolerant future. As we pause to remember Sarah and Yaron, may their memories be for a blessing. Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your shared commitment to a community free from hatred. With profound sorrow and unwavering resolve, Chris Wolf, Board President and Dr. Beatrice Gurwitz, Executive Director The Source Information in this article comes from The Associated Press, the Capital Jewish Museum, and previous FOX 5 reporting.
CNN
2 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Kids' breakfast cereal has gotten unhealthier, a new study finds
Sign up for CNN's Eat, But Better: Mediterranean Style. Our eight-part guide shows you a delicious expert-backed eating lifestyle that will boost your health for life. We all know that breakfast is an important meal, and even more so for children. Abundant research has demonstrated the benefit of nutritious breakfasts on children's health, well-being and academic performance. Ready-to-eat cereals are the predominant breakfast choice among American children, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that may not be the best option for growing children and adolescents. In newly launched cereals between 2010 and 2023, there were significant increases in fat, sodium and sugar and decreases in protein and fiber content, according to a new research study in JAMA Network Open. I wanted to better understand the implications for parents who want to learn about healthier options for their children. To help guide us, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as Baltimore's health commissioner and is the mother of two school-aged kids. CNN: How did these researchers study ready-to-eat cereals? Dr. Leana Wen: This study utilized a comprehensive database that tracks new product launches for food and beverages. Researchers examined cereal products that launched in the US market between 2010 and 2023 that were explicitly marketed to children ages 5 to 12 years old. During this period, about 1,200 children's ready-to-eat cereals were launched. Compared to 2010, total fat per serving increased 33.6%; sodium content increased by 32.1%; and sugar by 10.9%. On the other hand, both protein content and dietary fiber content decreased when comparing 2010 to 2023. Notably, the average amount of added sugar is so high that a single serving of children's cereal is more than 45% of the American Heart Association's total daily recommended limit for children, according to the authors. CNN: Were you surprised by these findings? Wen: Frankly, yes. In recent years, many studies have shown the importance of a healthy breakfast to children's well-being. Moreover, studies have demonstrated the problems associated with high levels of added sugar, sodium and fat content in food. Ultraprocessed foods laden with these additives have been associated with a myriad of negative health consequences, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and premature death. What's upsetting to me is that many products that are ultraprocessed and contain high levels of unhealthy ingredients are being marketed as being 'healthy.' A 2024 study published in the journal Nutrients found that 60% of foods marketed to children ages 6 months to 36 months on 10 supermarkets' shelves failed to meet recommended nutritional guidelines from the World Health Organization for infant and toddler foods. Virtually none of these meet WHO's standards for advertising— instead they contained inaccurate health claims or failed to have clear labeling. All of this makes it hard for parents and families who want to choose healthier options for their children. CNN: What advice do you have for parents who want to feed their children healthier breakfasts? Wen: Parents should consider options outside of ready-made cereal. Some options for healthy breakfasts include steel-cut oats with honey and fresh fruit and whole-grain bread with peanut butter. Kids may also like eggs; no-sugar-added yogurt, which still has sugar in it; smoothies made with milk and fresh fruit; and homemade muffins. For parents looking for grab-and-go breakfasts, consider fresh fruit, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, muffins, smoothies and whole-grain bagels with low-fat cream cheese. CNN: What if parents want to serve cereal? What should they look for on the label? Wen: As a parent who has tried to find healthy cereals for my kids, I know myself that it is very hard to go through the cereal aisle and make sense of the packaging that claim the cereal is healthy. The best thing to do is to look at the label for each cereal you are considering. First, look for whole grains. Ideally, the label says that the cereal has 100% whole grain. Then, look at the sugar content. It's best to have added sugar of less than 9 grams per serving . According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 10 grams per serving would already be 20% of the entire amount of added sugar someone is recommended to consume a day, if they have a 2,000 calorie diet. Try to find cereals with no food dyes or low-calorie sweeteners. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has a list of relatively healthier cereals. From a policy perspective, last year, the US Food and Drug Administration proposed a front-of-package label that would make it easier for consumers to know how products compare with regard to their added sugar, salt and saturated fat content. I think these improved labels can help if they are implemented. US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made reducing ultraprocessed food a centerpiece of his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. Perhaps there will be policy solutions Kennedy will announce that can make it easier for families to opt for healthier choices. CNN: In the meantime, should parents avoid cereals and switch to other breakfast products? What do you do with your kids? Wen: I think the takeaway should be simply knowing that many cereals marketed to children are not the most nutritious choices. This doesn't mean children should never be served these cereals but try to serve them in moderation or as a treat. Since I became aware of just how laden with additives our favorite cereals were, I began to serve my kids these cereals only as a treat, opting usually for milk served with steel-cut oats or whole-grain toast and peanut butter. On days when they have cereal, I make sure to tell them it's a treat — just as I tell them it's a treat when they have cookies and cupcakes. And then I try to make sure that their other meals are healthy. CNN: Do you have other advice for families trying to make more nutritional choices? Wen: It's best to aim for meals with whole foods that are minimally processed, such as whole grains, fresh fruits, leafy green vegetables, legumes, fish and lean meat. Also keep in mind that what kids drink is just as important as what they eat. Stay away from sodas, juice drinks, energy drinks and other drinks with caffeine and high amounts of added sugar.
