NCAA agrees to deal to allow schools to directly pay players

In a historic move for college sports, the NCAA agrees to a deal that would allow schools to directly pay their players. And a group of graduates walk out of Harvard’s commencement after 13 students are barred from the ceremony. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, May 24, 2024.

NCAA agrees to deal to allow schools to directly pay players

A big change is on the horizon for college sports after the NCAA and its five power conferences have agreed to allow schools to pay student-athletes directly for the first time.

The agreement, disclosed on Thursday, May 23, is part of a multi-billion dollar settlement concerning three antitrust cases accusing the NCAA of restricting compensation and benefits to college players. The NCAA has denied any wrongdoing.

The NCAA, in statement, called the settlement “ a road map for college sports leaders and Congress to ensure this uniquely American institution can continue to provide unmatched opportunity for millions of students.”  

NCAA, power conferences agree to settlement to allow schools to pay players. Story with ⁦@DanMurphyESPN⁩ on a historic day in college sports, and we explain the complications that remain. https://t.co/5oZL6nfxlP

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 23, 2024

Under the proposal, the NCAA and the five conferences would pay nearly $2.8 billion over 10 years to more than 14,000 former and current student-athletes.

The deal also calls for revenue sharing between schools and players, permitting each school to set aside up to $21 million to go directly to students.

The exact nature of how the damages will be dispersed and how the revenue-sharing system will be implemented still needs to be worked out.

The terms of the deal still need approval by a federal judge.

Israeli army says 3 more bodies of hostages recovered in Gaza

The Israel army said the bodies of three more hostages have been recovered in Gaza on Friday morning. Officials said the three were killed on the day of Hamas’ attack in Israel and their bodies were then taken into Gaza.

They have been identified as Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux. Israeli officials said their families have been notified. 

Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez were murdered during the October 7 Massacre and were abducted to Gaza by Hamas terrorists.

Their bodies were rescued overnight during a joint IDF and ISA operation in Jabaliya, and brought back to Israel.

We will continue… pic.twitter.com/3oFnZEgf8C

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 24, 2024

Last week, the Israeli army said it found three other bodies of hostages killed by Hamas as they were fleeing a music festival.

Israel believes around 100 hostages remain in Gaza.

Later today, the United Nations’ International Court of Justice is expected to rule on whether Israel should cease military operations in the Gaza city of Rafah.

Though the court has no way of enforcing its ruling, the case brought by South Africa comes amid growing worldwide scrutiny over Israel’s actions in Gaza.  

Group of students walk out during Harvard graduation

Hundreds of students walked out of Harvard’s graduation ceremony in protest on Thursday, May 23, with chants of “free Palestine” and “let them walk.” 

The latter chant was about 13 students the school barred from receiving their degrees at commencement due to their conduct at an on-campus protest encampment.

Harvard said the students were not in good standing and violated the university’s policies despite a recommendation from faculty members that the students be able to receive their diplomas.

The pro-Palestinian encampment, which lasted three weeks at Harvard, aimed to get the school to divest from companies that support Israel and the war in Gaza. Harvard agreed it would discuss the protester’s demands.

Also on Thursday, the presidents of Northwestern and Rutgers universities testified in front of a House committee where they defended their decisions to negotiate with protesters to end encampments on their campus. 

The chancellor of UCLA also took questions about the delay in sending in police to respond to violence between sparring protesting groups on the California campus.

Hundreds feared dead after major landslide in Papa New Guinea

Hundreds of people are feared dead after a massive landslide hit a remote village in Papa New Guinea on Friday morning.

The landslide struck the South Pacific nation around 3 a.m. local time, reportedly flattening dozens of homes as people were asleep inside.

The Australian Broadcasting Company reported more than 100 people have been killed, but authorities have not released an official death toll as of yet.

More than 100 people are estimated to have died in a huge landslide that struck the remote village of Kaokalam in Papua New Guinea's Enga province on Friday. https://t.co/u78ezKD2BP

— ABC News (@abcnews) May 24, 2024

Prime Minister James Marape said in a statement, “We are sending in disaster officials, PNG Defence Force, and the Department of Works and Highways to meet provincial and district officials in Enga and also start relief work, recovery of bodies, and reconstruction of infrastructure. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the landslide disaster.”

NOAA releases its busiest hurricane season forecast ever

It is anticipated to be a very active hurricane season this year, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) releasing its busiest hurricane season forecast ever.

According to NOAA scientists, there will be between 17 and 25 named storms, compared to an average of 14.

Of those storms, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes which are classified as category 3, 4, or 5 and have wind speeds of 111 miles per hour or higher.

ICYMI:

Central Pacific #HurricaneSeason Outlook:

NOAA forecasters predict a below-normal 2024 hurricane season, with 1-4 storms likely:https://t.co/iflT8oSVax

— NOAA (@NOAA) May 23, 2024

Officials said near-record warm temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and the development of La Nina in the Pacific are among the factors contributing to this record forecast.

AAA projects nearly 44 million people will travel for Memorial Day

We have a warning for you if you’re traveling for Memorial Day: You will be among a near-record number of people to be on the move this holiday weekend — a number not seen in almost 20 years.

AAA projects 43.8 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the five-day Memorial Day holiday period, which began on Thursday, May 23 and extends through Monday, May 27.

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A post shared by AAA (@aaa_national)

AAA said the total number of travelers is a 4 percent increase over last year and is very close to matching 2005’s record high of 44 million travelers.

AAA is projecting at least one record will be broken as 38.4 million travelers are expected to hit the road. That’s the highest number for a Memorial Day weekend since AAA began tracking in 2000.