National and international media news & headlines compiled by CLG

Bipartisan bill would create ‘antisemitism monitors’ at colleges –Pro-Israel House Democrat and Republican plan to introduce legislation creating federally sanctioned “antisemitism monitors” for select college campuses | 26 April 2024 |  This is the first bill introduced in Congress as a direct response to the pro-Palestinian protests that have rocked Columbia University and other colleges in recent days. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) are introducing the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act — or COLUMBIA Act. The bill would allow the Department of Education to send a “third-party antisemitism monitor” to any college that receives federal funding — and to revoke that funding for colleges that don’t comply. The monitor, paid for by the school, would be charged with releasing a public, quarterly report evaluating “the progress that a college or university has made toward combating antisemitism.”

Russian forces strike train carrying Western weapons – MOD | 26 April 2024 | Russian forces have struck a freight train carrying military equipment supplied to Ukrainian forces by Kiev’s Western backers, the Defense Ministry in Moscow has said. The combined attack involved aircraft, missiles and artillery, the ministry said in a statement on Friday. “A train with Western weapons and military equipment was hit in the area of the settlement of Udachnoye in [Russia’s] Donetsk People’s Republic,” it added. Udachnoye, translated as “lucky” in English, is located in the western part of the republic. Personnel and equipment from the 67th Ukrainian mechanized brigade were also struck at a railway loading station in the area of Balakleya in Ukraine’s Kharkov Region, the ministry said.

U.S. secretly shipped ATACMS missiles to Ukraine – media –Biden personally approved the delivery, an anonymous official has said | 24 April 2024 | Washington secretly sent Kiev an unspecified number of longer-range ATACMS missiles last month, multiple U.S. outlets reported on Wednesday, citing an anonymous U.S. government official. The Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range up to 300 kilometers, were included in the 300-million package of military aid approved by Joe Biden on March 12, according to the official, who spoke with Reuters, Politico and the New York Times, among others. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said that Ukraine used the missiles for the first time last Wednesday, targeting a Russian airfield about 165 kilometers (103 miles) from the front line.

U.S. Cluster Munition Coalition Slams Washington’s Decision to Transfer New Batch of Munitions to Ukraine | 26 April 2024 | The U.S. Cluster Munition Coalition said it was shocked by Washington’s decision to transfer its cluster munitions to Ukraine for the fifth time, citing the long-term humanitarian consequences such weapons could have… The U.S. Department of Defense later unveiled a 1 billion military aid package for Kiev, including cluster munitions and air defense supplies. “The US Cluster Munition Coalition (USCMC) is appalled by President Biden’s decision to again transfer internationally prohibited cluster munitions to Ukraine. The US Cluster Munition Coalition has condemned the four previous transfers of these weapons since July of 2023, and is dismayed by the need to condemn such an action for the fifth time. The US Cluster Munition Coalition urges President [sic] Biden to reject these prohibited weapons and to urgently act to align US policy and actions with requirements of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.s,” the coalition said in a statement released on Thursday.

Insane in the membrane: Biden signs $95 billion foreign military spending bill –The package includes 61 billion for Ukraine, with funds destined for purchase of weapons and military equipment | 24 April 2024 | Joe Biden signed a long-stalled 95-billion foreign aid package on Wednesday, after the Senate voted resoundingly to approve the funds for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The package, including 61 billion for Ukraine, passed in a 79-18 vote on Tuesday evening, after both Republican and Democratic lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to end a filibuster and advance the measure. Biden praised congressional leaders and lawmakers…saying he would immediately begin the process of sending much-needed weaponry to Ukraine as early as this week. The House also voted on Saturday to approve separate bills providing 26 billion in aid to Israel and 8 billion for Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific region allies. In addition, the emergency spending package includes 9 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and other war zones.

U.S., France to Send Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carriers to Souda Base in Greece – Reports | 26 April 2024 | The United States and France are expected to deploy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers at the Souda naval base located on the Greek island of Crete in the next few days, Greek media reported on Friday. The first to dock will be the US aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower, which is expected to arrive in Souda on April 28 and remain there until May 2. At the same time, the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will dock at the naval base on May 2 and will stay until May 7, Greek newspaper Rizospastis, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Greece, reported. Souda is home to the largest U.S. naval base in the Mediterranean Sea.

Israel Mobilizes Reserve Brigades for Fighting in Gaza –So far, 34,183 Palestinians have been killed and 77,143 others injured in the Gaza Strip since the conflict began | 25 April 2024 | On Wednesday, Israeli forces mobilized two more reserve brigades to prepare for ground operations in the Gaza Strip. The brigades, which have so far operated near Israel’s northern border, have heightened their readiness for ground operations in Gaza through a series of training, the Israeli Army said. “The soldiers practiced combat techniques and learned the main insights and lessons from the fighting and ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip so far,” it noted. The move comes after the Israeli army pulled out some of its forces from Gaza. Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi previously said that the army would carry out a ground offensive in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city.

USC Cancels Main Graduation Ceremony After Anti-Israel Protests –Protesters had tried to occupy the campus, as demonstrators have done at other universities | 25 April 2024 | The University of Southern California (USC) has canceled its main graduation ceremony due to apparent security concerns after anti-Israel protesters tried to encamp and were removed by Los Angeles Police Department this week. In addition, USC canceled the speech of its valedictorian after she was found to have supported the annihilation of the State of Israel in online posts. In a statement, USC noted: “We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band.”

Revealed: George Soros is PAYING activists to head up campouts at colleges across America –Three pro-Palestine encampment leaders are fellows at Soros-funded groups | 26 April 2024 | Multiple leaders of the anti-Israeli war protests at college campuses across the nation have been revealed to be paid fellows of George Soros-connected groups. Three of the major figures in the pro-Palestine encampments in universities are fellows at the Soros-funded U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, the New York Post reports. USCPR “community-based” fellows are paid up to 7,800 for their labor, while “campus-based” fellows are given between 2,880 and 3,660 for spending eight hours a week organizing “campaigns led by Palestinian organizations.” The organization instructs its fellows to “rise up” and spark “revolution,” while specifically telling them to reject “reform.” It has received at least 300,000 from Soros’s Open Society Foundations since 2017.

Columbia protesters refuse to discuss taking down tents as negotiations continue | 26 April 2024 | Organizers of the anti-Israeli war protest encampment at Columbia University are refusing to consider taking down the tents until the administration makes progress on some of its demands. “We are not actually negotiating on the state of the encampment as of now,” Columbia University Apartheid Divest negotiator Mahmoud Khalil told The Post Friday afternoon. The encampment was on its tenth day Friday, as the university’s leaders seemed to backtrack on its demand for the students to clear off the campus lawn by that morning following an extension from Wednesday at midnight. Speaking to The Post on Friday, Khalil said the students were not given a new time limit for getting off the lawn.

NYU anti-Israel protesters form human chain as police move in for arrests | 22 April 2024 | Anti-Israeli war protesters on the campus of New York University formed a human chain Monday evening as police moved in to break up the demonstration. Video shot by Fox News Digital shows the NYPD telling students: “You have been warned by New York University to leave the area.” Those who did not leave soon, would be arrested for trespassing, NYPD said. NYU’s Global Campus Safety posted on Instagram that protesters had breached the barriers set up at Gould Plaza, Fountain Walker.

Five rockets are fired from Iraq towards U.S. military base in Syria | 21 April 2024 | At least five rockets were launched from Iraq’s town of Zummar towards a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria on Sunday, two Iraqi security sources said. The attack against U.S. forces is the first since early February when Iranian-backed groups in Iraq stopped their attacks against U.S. troops. Two security sources and a senior army officer said a rocket launcher fixed on the back of a small truck had been parked in Zummar border town with Syria. The military official said the truck caught fire with an explosion from unfired rockets at the same time as warplanes were in the sky.

1 in 5 samples of pasteurized milk had bird flu virus fragments, FDA says | 25 April 2024 | The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that traces of the bird flu virus have been found in 1 in 5 samples of pasteurized milk, providing a more detailed picture of how much of the milk supply has been affected. The tested milk came from a nationally representative sample, with more of the positive results coming from milk in areas with infected herds of dairy cows, the FDA said. A spokesperson declined to say how many samples were tested. As of Thursday, bird flu had been detected in 33 herds in eight states: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Ohio and Texas. Richard Webby, an influenza virologist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said the number of positive samples is consistent with numbers he’s reviewed from smaller sample sets.

Top bird flu scientist who’s studied virus for 20 years says he’s quit milk – as FDA begins testing dairy cows for deadly virus | 25 April 2024 | A top bird flu scientist has declared he is no longer drinking cow’s milk amid the alarming outbreak in cattle across American farms. Dr Rick Bright, a virologist and former director at the Department of Health and Human Services, revealed his decision on X, warning that the virus — which has infected two Americans so far – could still be active in milk. “Minor inconvenience to pause my milk consumption while waiting for data,” he said. ‘Delayed transparency influenced my decision.” The worrying comments come days after the FDA revealed traces of the virus have been detected in grocery store milk, with separate testing in Ohio suggesting nearly 40 percent of all milks in stores could be affected.

Banks SPIED on Trump voters: How 13 financial institutions worked with feds ‘without warrants’ to comb transactions of MAGA supporters after January 6 protests | 25 April 2024 | At least 13 financial institutions are being investigated by Republicans in Congress for colluding with the federal government to spy on Americans after the January 6 protests looking for ‘extremism’ indicators. The House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government led by top Republican Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, is investigating “collusion” between U.S. banks and federal agencies in the aftermath of the Capitol riot. The Biden regime worked with banks to comb through “extremism” indicators like the purchase of a religious text, like a Bible, or searches including the terms “MAGA” and “TRUMP,” according to shocking revelations by the committee. Bank of America, Chase, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo, Citi Bank, and Truist were already being targeted in the probe looking to expose how the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the FBI worked together. Now, DailyMail.com can reveal that seven other financial firms are also under investigation for ties to an FBI and FinCEN plot to spy on Americans’ private banking transactions without first obtaining a warrant.

U.S. Secret Service preparing to protect Trump in jail – NYT –The former president is at risk of being slapped with a short sentence for contempt of court | 24 April 2024 | The U.S. Secret Service, which is tasked with protecting acting and former U.S. presidents, is considering how to proceed if Donald Trump ends up behind bars, sources have told the New York Times. On Tuesday, Judge [deep-state dirt-bag] Juan Merchan withheld a decision on whether to hold Trump in contempt of court over alleged gag order violations at his trial. The hearings relate to [insane and unprecedented] felony charges of falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush m-ney payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The NYT stressed in an article on Tuesday that the judge is likely to issue a warning or impose a fine before taking the “extreme step” of jailing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee for a month at a holding cell in the courthouse.

Trump blames ‘rigged’ trial for separating him from Melania on her birthday | 26 April 2024 | Former President Donald Trump on Friday wished his wife Melania a happy birthday from a New York courthouse, saying he couldn’t celebrate with her due to the trial. “I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday,” Trump said in a video posted to TRUTH Social. “It would be nice to be with her but I’m at a courthouse for a rigged trial.” The former president is currently in New York facing charges brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over a 2016 payment Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, made to Stormy Daniels. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts. The 45th president wrote in a separate TRUTH Social post opined that the pervasive security presence outside the courthouse would prevent his supporters from gathering at the building.

Secret Service officer protecting Kamala Harris came to blows with other agents at Joint Base Andrews | 24 April 2024 | A Secret Service agent tasked with protecting Kamala Harris brawled with several other agents on Monday morning, the agency confirmed. The altercation took place around 9 a.m. near Joint Base Andrews on the outskirts of Washington, D.C., prior to Harris’s arrival on the scene. The agent in question, whose identity has not been revealed, was immediately “removed from their assignment,” the Secret Service told The Post. “A US Secret Service special agent supporting the Vice President’s departure from Joint Base Andrews began displaying behavior their colleagues found distressing,” Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the U.S. Secret Service, said to The Post.  

New California bill would ban line-skipping service Clear from airports in name of equity –Proponents say the service lets wealthier people skip ahead of passengers waiting in line to be screened by TSA agents | 23 April 2024 | New legislation being proposed in California would ban the expedited security screening company Clear from operating in the state’s airports, as proponents say the service raises equity issues given it effectively lets wealthier people skip ahead of passengers waiting in line to be screened by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents. The bill, SB-1372, the first of its kind in the U.S., would require third-party vendors like Clear to get their own dedicated security lane or lose the ability to operate in California airports. Clear charges members 189 per year to verify passengers’ identities at airports, allowing them to bypass TSA checkpoints. The service is in use at more than 55 airports across the U.S., as well as at dozens of sports stadiums and other venues, according to its website. Members verify their identity at Clear kiosks. State Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat, is sponsoring the legislation, and it has bipartisan support from Republican Sen. Janet Nguyen.

China acquired recently banned Nvidia chips in Super Micro, Dell servers, tenders show | 23 April 2024 | Chinese universities and research institutes recently obtained high-end Nvidia, opens new tab artificial intelligence chips through resellers, despite the U.S. widening a ban last year on the sale of such technology to China. A Reuters review of hundreds of tender documents shows 10 Chinese entities acquired advanced Nvidia chips embedded in server products made by various companies, after the U.S. on Nov. 17 expanded the embargo to subject more chips and countries to licensing rules. Specifically, the servers contained some of Nvidia’s most advanced chips, according to the previously unreported tenders fulfilled between Nov. 20 and Feb. 28. While the U.S. bars Nvidia and its partners from selling advanced chips to China, including via third parties, the sale and purchase of the chips are not illegal in China.