Latest news with #USCivilWar
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvard faculty quietly drop courses as legal battle over academic freedom escalates in the US
Harvard faculty cancel courses as US academic freedom dispute intensifies As tensions escalate between Harvard University and the US federal government, several faculty members are quietly withdrawing or revising their courses, raising alarms about the future of academic freedom in the country. The developments, first reported by MassLive, coincide with Harvard's ongoing legal battle to defend its educational independence in the face of federal funding threats and ideological pressure. Harvard University, alongside its faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), has filed motions for summary judgment in federal court. These actions come in response to multi-billion-dollar funding cuts and what the institution describes as targeted political interference by the Trump administration. The university argues the measures directly undermine academic freedom at one of the country's most prestigious institutions. Faculty shift course content in response to political pressure According to documents reviewed by MassLive, a History and Literature lecturer canceled a planned course on global transgender history out of concern for content-based retaliation and student safety. As an openly transgender academic, the lecturer cited increased vulnerability under current federal scrutiny. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amplie seus horizontes: Estude no exterior (Clique para mais informações) Study Abroad Saiba Mais Undo Their course materials included subjects such as the Holocaust and World War II, raising fears that teaching on such issues could result in disciplinary or political backlash. Harvard's International Students Get Trapped In Trump Visa Crossfire; 'The Danger Is…' Another faculty member, whose identity remains anonymous, withdrew plans to teach a course focusing on the historical roots of the US Civil War. The course would have examined slavery, settler colonialism, Indian removal, and the US-Mexico War. However, the professor worried that the material could be mischaracterized as part of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programming, and might attract complaints under Title VI, a federal statute prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Faculty departures reflect growing discomfort In addition to course changes, MassLive reports that some Harvard professors are opting to work outside the US, citing growing discomfort under the current political climate. One medical school faculty member with decades of clinical experience has decided to leave the country, following increased pressure related to their pro-Palestine advocacy. The AAUP has had to expand its support services significantly. According to court filings, the organization is now holding twice as many member meetings and offering additional training on digital surveillance and faculty rights, redirecting vital resources toward defense measures. Broader implications for academic freedom across the US The tension arises amid Trump administration efforts, outlined in an April 11, 2025, letter, to reduce the influence of students and non-tenured faculty in shaping curriculum. Many educators fear that such policies could result in loss of control over course content and force compliance with federally approved viewpoints. As Harvard's lawsuit progresses, the outcome may set a national precedent. The university's actions could shape how other academic institutions defend their independence in an increasingly polarized educational environment. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Record-breaking rise in Journalist deaths as Israel bombards Gaza
Uncovering the Truth: Journalists' struggles and death toll amid the Gaza conflict Image: Loay Ayyoub Saturday marked World Press Freedom Day—a reminder of the vital role journalists play in uncovering the truth and holding power to account amid the Israeli government's killing of reporters and the bombardment of Gaza. However, recent reports underscore a troubling reality as 2024 has been the deadliest year for journalists in history, with nearly 70% of those killed in Gaza, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In their March 1, 2025, report titled '2024 is the deadliest year for journalists in CPJ history; almost 70 per cent killed by Israel,' the CPJ detailed the staggering toll on media workers in Gaza. The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs' Costs of War project revealed that between October 7, 2023, and March 26, 2025, at least 232 journalists were killed in Gaza, averaging roughly 13 deaths per month. According to the CPJ, this violence surpasses historical conflicts, with Israel's actions during this period causing more journalist fatalities than the combined toll of the US Civil War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam (including conflicts in Cambodia and Laos), the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s and early 2000s, and the post-9/11 war in Afghanistan. The CPJ also said that the number of conflicts worldwide—political, criminal, or military—has doubled over the past five years. 'This escalation is reflected in the high number of journalist deaths in countries like Sudan, Pakistan, and Myanmar. Yet, the impact in Gaza remains particularly severe, with 85 journalists killed in 2024 alone, following 78 in 2023. 'These figures highlight an alarming trend: the increasing danger faced by reporters and media workers, which threatens the global flow of information. 'As one journalist, Abubaker Abed, recently recounted, journalism has become perilous in Gaza. After arriving in Ireland for medical treatment and studies, Abed shared his harrowing experiences,' read the CPJ report. Abubaker Abed's Testimony 'Israel has turned journalism into such a dangerous profession,' Abed explained.' 'They've been targeting journalists for more than 570 days, killing over 210 of us. I've survived Israeli airstrikes, and I've always feared for my life—sometimes reporting live without a press vest because it's too risky.' According to CPJ, Abed added that reporting in Gaza is unimaginable, suggesting that it's risking your life to document genocide. 'Journalism is not a crime, but Israel treats it as one. They want to silence us. It's barbaric and inhumane, as they are enemies of the truth because the truth doesn't serve their interests. 'International media organisations have failed to protect Palestinian journalists.' The Institute for Public Accuracy also highlighted the plight of journalists like Hossam Shabat. In a report titled 'Hossam Shabat's Last Article,' Sharif Abdel Kouddous recounted that in October, the Israeli military put Hossam and five other Palestinian journalists on a hit list. Hossam described feeling 'hunted,' calling for global awareness with the hashtag #ProtectTheJournalists. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Saudi Gazette
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Former US congressman George Santos sentenced to over 7 years for fraud and identity theft
HOUSTON — Former US Representative George Santos was sentenced on Friday to more than seven years in prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, marking a dramatic downfall for the disgraced New York politician once described as a 'pathological liar and fraudster' by prosecutors. Santos, who faced charges filed in May 2023, initially refused to resign from Congress, backed by several House Republicans. However, after a year of mounting allegations and controversies, he was expelled from the House of Representatives, becoming the first member ousted without a criminal conviction since the US Civil War. In August 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to two felony charges, admitting that he had misused his campaign fundraising apparatus for personal enrichment. He confessed to submitting false financial reports to the Federal Election Commission during his congressional campaign. Santos also admitted to stealing the personal and financial information of elderly and cognitively impaired donors, subsequently using their credit cards to make unauthorized donations to his campaign. Moreover, Santos acknowledged soliciting contributions under the pretense of funding a social welfare organization or political action committee. Instead, he used the funds to finance stays at luxury hotels, purchase designer clothing, pay off personal credit card debts, and gift himself thousands of dollars in cash. During court proceedings, federal prosecutors described Santos as a serial deceiver, labeling him a "pathological liar and fraudster." — Agencies
RTÉ News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Disgraced US ex-congressman Santos jailed for seven years for 'brazen' fraud
Disgraced former Republican politician George Santos, who was expelled from the US Congress for using stolen donor cash to bankroll a lavish lifestyle, has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Santos, aged 36, had faced at least two years in prison and a maximum of 22 years after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft for his elaborate grifting while a politician. "He admitted to engaging in a brazen crime spree that took place over a period of years. He stole personal identities and financial information from campaign contributors, made unauthorised transfers of money to his campaign, and to himself personally," said prosecutor John Durham. "He went so far as to seek out elderly people with cognitive impairment and dementia." Judge Joanna Seybert, in Federal District Court in Central Islip, sentenced Santos to seven years and three months. In August 2024 she had ordered Santos to pay more than $370,000 in restitution which prosecutors say has gone unpaid. He emerged from the courthouse flanked by his lawyers, tugging at his collar, but did not speak to reporters. "Stop the deception," shouted a crowd of local activists as Santos climbed into a white SUV to leave. Earlier, well-wishers put their arms around Santos, who wore a charcoal suit and sunglasses, as he arrived at the courthouse for sentencing. Despite his guilty plea, federal prosecutors have insisted that Santos's social media shows his claims of remorse "ring hollow". "As of this writing, despite years of actively courting media attention and capitalising on his infamy, Santos has forfeited nothing of his ill-gotten gains and has not repaid one cent to any of the victims of his financial crimes," prosecutors wrote. Spectacular downfall The downfall of the congressman from Long Island came after it was revealed he had fabricated almost his entire backstory including his education, religion and work history. Santos was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2022 and indicted the following year for stealing from campaign donors and engaging in credit card fraud, money laundering and identity theft. Santos used donor money for Botox treatments and the OnlyFans adult website, as well as luxury Italian goods and holidays to the Hamptons and Las Vegas, according to an investigation by a congressional ethics committee. He had been scheduled to go on trial on 9 September on some two dozen charges, but opted instead to enter a guilty plea to wire fraud and identity theft. Santos's bizarre biographical fabrications included claiming to have worked for Goldman Sachs, being Jewish and having been a college volleyball star. He was ultimately doomed by the congressional probe that found overwhelming evidence of misconduct and accused him of seeking to "fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy". Santos was expelled from the House in 2023, becoming only the third person to be ejected as a US politician since the US Civil War, a rebuke previously reserved for traitors and convicted criminals. In February 2024, voters in his suburban New York district picked Democrat Tom Suozzi to replace him.
The Independent
22-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Historic letter from Titanic survivor Colonel Gracie to go under the hammer
A letter card written by one of the most well-known survivors of the Titanic disaster is expected to sell for up to £60,000 at auction. Colonel Archibald Gracie wrote the famous book The Truth About The Titanic, detailing his experiences onboard the ill-fated liner, which sank costing 1,500 lives. The letter card is dated April 10 1912 and is postmarked Queenstown April 11 and London April 12 and is believed to be the only example from Gracie in existence from onboard the Titanic. It is written over four sides to the seller's great-uncle who was an acquaintance of Gracie. It is going under the hammer at Henry Aldridge and Son, of Devizes, Wiltshire, on April 26. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said letters from survivors as high profile as Gracie rarely, if ever, come to market and this piece has never been offered for sale. It reads in part: 'It is a fine ship but I shall await my journey's end before I pass judgment on her. 'The Oceanic is like an old friend and while she does not possess the elaborate style and varied amusement of this big ship, still her sea worthy qualities and yacht like appearance make me miss her. 'It was very kind of you to give me this kindly send off, with best wishes for your success and happiness. Archibald Gracie.' Gracie boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10 1912 and was assigned first-class cabin C51. He spent much of the voyage chaperoning various unaccompanied women. He also spent time reading books he had found in the first-class library and discussing the US Civil War. On the night of the sinking, Gracie had gone to bed early, intending to get up the next morning to play squash. After awaking to a jolt as the Titanic hit an iceberg, he helped women and children into lifeboats. As the ship began to sink, he managed to jump free and scramble on to an overturned collapsible boat from the ocean. Eventually, Gracie and others on the overturned collapsible were rescued by other Titanic passengers onboard a lifeboat, before being taken to R.M.S. Carpathia. Gracie's health never recovered from his ordeal, and he died eight months later. His book was published the following year. Mr Aldridge said: 'This letter is one of the finest of its type known, not only is it written by one of the most important first-class passengers on Titanic, Colonel Archibald Gracie. 'He survived the sinking clinging on to an upturned lifeboat and wrote one of the definitive books about the sinking shortly afterwards, The Truth About The Titanic. 'The letter itself contains the most prophetic line, 'It is a fine ship but I shall await my journey's end before I pass judgment on her'. 'Five days later Titanic was at the bottom of the North Atlantic.'
