• USC protests break out after anti-Israel valedictorian’s commencement speech cancelled over safety concerns

    Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Southern California on Sunday in support of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum after her commencement speech was canceled, along with other outside commencement speakers. The post USC protests break out after anti-Israel valedictorian’s commencement speech cancelled over safety concerns first appeared on WFIN Local News.

    • MSNBC

    USC Valedictorian Speaks Out After University Cancels Graduation Speech

    University of Southern California valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, was barred from speaking at this year's commencement ceremony after pro-Israel groups raised concerns over her social media posts in support of Palestinians. MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin speaks to Tabassum about USC’s decision and what she plans to do next.

  • USC cancels main commencement, citing safety measures

    The University of Southern California (USC) said on Thursday it has called off its main-stage graduation ceremony this year, one week after canceling the valedictorian speech by a Muslim student who said she was silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred. New safety measures in place this year, such as additional screening procedures,

  • USC's commencement cancellations claim honorary speakers as well as valedictorian

    Scrapping graduation traditions, officials call off appearances by Billie Jean King, director Jon M. Chu and more, after canceling Valedictorian Asna Tabassum's speech amid controversy.

  • Letter to the editor: Threats of violence aren't protected speech

    Why is it that people’s brains sort of turn off when it comes to free speech in this country (“Entrenched pro-Palestinian protests threaten to spoil college graduations, Biden addresses,” web, May 1)?

  • USC Protesters Use Barricades from Canceled Graduation for Encampment

    Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Southern California (USC) took steel barricades destined for the university's main graduation ceremony and used them for their encampment.

  • Pauline Hanson hate-speech trial set to open

    One Nation leader Pauline Hanson made a hateful tweet against a Greens senator because of her decades-long tendency to make similarly racist remarks, a Federal Court judge is expecting to be told. A five-day hate-speech trial is scheduled to begin in the Federal Court on Monday when Greens federal deputy leader Mehreen Faruqi will allege […]

  • As USC cancels commencement, Columbia students worry theirs could be disrupted

    As the University of Southern California in Los Angeles canceled its main commencement ceremony because of safety concerns over student protests, students at Columbia University in New York, where anti-war demonstrations led to dozens of arrests, said they feared theirs could be disrupted. Schools across the country where protests have flared up are keeping mum about whether they will adjust or outright cancel their ceremonies, but some students said they feared a domino effect — much like what...

  • USC Blasted for Canceling Commencement Ceremony: 'Failure of Leadership'

    The University of Southern California (USC) is facing heavy backlash on social media after announcing on Thursday that its main graduation ceremony will not be held this year.The school's decision comes amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus and follows the cancelation of the valedictory address of Asna Tabassum. The school cited safety concerns for canceling Tabassum's speech, but she has said she believes her speech was scrapped over her support of Palestinians.USC is one of an...

  • USC says it is canceling its 'main stage' commencement ceremony

    USC announced Thursday that it is canceling its main May commencement ceremony, capping a dramatic series of moves that began last week after it informed valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who had been opposed by pro-Israel groups, that she would not be delivering the traditional speech. In ending the university-wide May 10 graduation ceremony altogether, President Carol Folt aimed to quell the controversy that grew as the school chipped away at core parts of the ritual, drawing criticism from both...

  • May ‘First Friday’ in Florence canceled due to threat of storms

    The threat of storms in the area has led the Downtown Florence Alliance to cancel its ‘First Friday’ events.

  • Bird flu is bad for poultry and cattle. What to know about the threat to people.

    Headlines are flying after the Department of Agriculture confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus has infected dairy cows around the country. Tests have detected the virus among cattle in nine states, mainly in Texas and New Mexico, and most recently in Colorado, said Nirav Shah, principal deputy director at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a May 1 event at the Council on Foreign Relations. A menagerie of other animals have been infected by H5N1, and at least one person in Texas....