USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s speech, citing security concerns
The University of Southern California has sparked condemnation from a leading Muslim group after it canceled a planned commencement speech by its valedictorian, citing security concerns due to tensions over “the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.”
Asna Tabassum said she was told Monday that she would no longer be able to give a speech as she and other graduates at the Los Angeles university are celebrated on May 10.
“I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,” Tabassum said in a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Iran vows ‘severe, extensive, and painful response’ to action against it
The smallest action against Iran’s interests “will definitely be met with a severe, extensive, and painful response against all its perpetrators,” the Islamic Republic’s president said last night.
Ebrahim Raisi said his country’s attacks on Israel contained “clear message for all,” according to a readout of a telephone call he made with Qatar’s leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The readout, published by Iran, said that Raisi had also criticized the strike on the Iranian consular building in the Syrian capital of Damascus earlier this month, which killed two top commanders and five advisers to Iran’s feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
He said the the United Nations and the Security Council had “failed to condemn the attack.”
Artist shuts Israeli exhibition at Venice Biennale until cease-fire reached and hostages released
Israeli artist Ruth Patir has announced she will shut the Israeli pavillion at the Venice Biennale, where she planned to exhibit her work ”(M)otherland,” an exploration of ”womanhood and the burdens of the female body,” until a cease-fire is reached and hostages are released.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the artist said she wants to ”stand with” protesters calling for an immediate truce deal. A sign affixed to the door of the Israeli pavilion reads ”The artist and curators of the Israeli pavilion will open the exhibition when a cease-fire and hostage release agreement is reached.”
Johnson outlines House plan to vote on foreign aid bills
House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke to reporters after a GOP conference meeting that he said was “fruitful and productive” and outlined his plan to put four national security bills on the House floor: Israel aid, Ukraine aid, Indo-Pacific aid and a fourth measure that includes GOP national security priorities that would include more sanctions on Iran.
“Every member ultimately will be able to vote their own conscience on all of these matters and everyone have an opportunity to weigh in and bring the amendments that they think are suitable,” said Johnson, R-La.
He said that he would prefer to send each bill to the Senate individually but that no final decision has been made.
If bill text comes out tomorrow, as is the hope, Johnson said, the House might not vote on the packages until Friday. The House is scheduled to leave Thursday afternoon and be in recess next week, but that could change.
Israeli army chief vows a response to Iran’s attack
Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi spoke to officers at Nevatim airbase in southern Israel yesterday. He vowed Israel would respond to Iran’s attack over the weekend.
