More from Jake Maslo
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Chinese zoo admits to painting dogs to look like pandas since it lacked real thing
While panda diplomacy is underway between the United States and China with San Francisco and San Diego set to receive pandas from China this summer, another Chinese panda-related story is causing controversy. A zoo in eastern China admitted to dressing up dogs as pandas because it didn’t have the actual animal. While unbearably cute, the… -
Amid battle for exposure, RFK Jr. accuses Big Tech of censoring latest ad
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy leveled accusations of censorship against Big Tech, alleging that Facebook and Instagram blocked access to his latest political ad. The incident unfolded when a link to the new video was reportedly blocked on Sunday, May 5. Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, said the action was a mistake. Meta… -
TikTok and ByteDance fight back, sue US government over potential ban
TikTok and ByteDance filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday, May 7, challenging legislation that would ban or force the sale of the popular app. The companies claim the new law violates the U.S. Constitution and referenced the First Amendment 27 times. The law, signed by President Biden in April, gives the Chinese parent company… -
13 federal judges refuse to hire Columbia University grads after protests
13 U.S. federal judges are taking a stance against Columbia University in New York City for its handling of campus protests. In a letter on Monday, May 6, the judges vowed not to hire any future students from Columbia University beginning with the 2024 freshman class. The judges expressed their loss of confidence in the… -
Sanders’ reelection bid reignites debate over age limits for elected officials
Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., announced he is running for reelection in 2024. Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, easily won three terms in deep blue territory. His most recent victory was by a 40-point margin so he is likely to win over his state again come November. While he is well known for his progressive takes… -
In potential breakthrough, Hamas accepts cease-fire proposal to pause war
In Jerusalem, Hamas announced its acceptance of an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for a cease-fire to pause the seven-month-long conflict with Israel in Gaza on Monday, May 6. This comes hours after Israel ordered roughly 100,000 Palestinians to evacuate from the eastern region of Rafah, a move signaling a possible ground invasion by Israel. The potential for… -
Border agent falsely accused of whipping Haitian migrants receives award
In September 2021, border agents were falsely accused of whipping Haitian migrants at the southern border. Now, the Department of Homeland Security granted one of those agents a Border Patrol achievement award on Thursday, May 2. The agency commended the agent, whose identity has been kept confidential since the incident, for his intelligence work on… -
In blow to 2024 graduates, Columbia axes main commencement after protests
On Monday, May 6, Columbia University in New York City announced it is canceling the universitywide commencement ceremony due to security concerns over pro-Palestinian protests. Instead, small, school-based ceremonies will be held. The decision comes after weeks of demonstrations that disrupted campus life. Students had set up encampments on the campus grounds, which were cleared… -
EPA says San Francisco dumped billions of gallons of wastewater into ocean
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and multiple California state agencies have filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco, accusing the city of allowing billions of gallons of untreated sewage to flow into the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. The lawsuit, initiated by the EPA, alleges that the city has permitted massive amounts… -
VP hopeful Kristi Noem faces further backlash for memoir yet to be released
Just days before Gov. Kristi Noem, R, South Dakota, releases her memoir, the book is facing scrutiny over new allegations of spurious and unsettling claims. First, Noem faced criticism after admitting to shooting and killing her 14-month-old dog, Cricket, for misbehaving. Now, another claim that she met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while… -
AstraZeneca admits rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccine
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has acknowledged in U.K. court documents that its COVID-19 vaccine can cause a rare side effect, as first reported by The Telegraph. Dozens of victims have filed a class-action lawsuit claiming the vaccine caused death or serious injuries. AstraZeneca submitted legal documents to the High Court in the U.K., accepting that its… -
Houthis and Iranian university welcome expelled US students to join ranks
Protests across U.S. college campuses have captured the attention of many, including universities in Iran and Yemen. Now, those universities are reaching out to students and professors who may have been expelled over their activism. “Students and even professors who have been expelled or threatened with expulsion can continue their studies in Shiraz University and… -
Biden’s ‘xenophobic’ comments about Japan spark backlash at home, overseas
President Joe Biden’s comments on Wednesday, May 1, are drawing criticism after lumping Japan with China and Russia, calling the group “xenophobic.” Speaking at a campaign fundraiser marking Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Biden credited the United States’ economic strength to immigrants, using these countries as contrast. In his comments, President…