President Joe Biden finally broke his silence on the growing unrest on college campuses across the country, condemning violent behavior while affirming the right to protest. Some of his Democratic allies had urged him to comment on the protests, and former President Donald Trump criticized the White House’s handling of the turmoil. Biden’s speech acknowledged that he couldn’t remain silent on the matter for much longer, prompting his advisors to develop remarks on the situation following the New York Police Department’s clearing of protesters from Columbia University and the arrest of hundreds more at UCLA.
Despite the increasing demonstrations, Biden stated that they haven’t caused him to reconsider any U.S. policies in the Middle East. Negotiations to release 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a six-week pause in fighting reached a critical point this week. The protests at college campuses have led to over 2,000 arrests in the last three weeks, with demonstrators calling on universities to divest from companies doing business in Israel. However, experts note that tracking the money flowing into universities can be challenging.
In Donald Trump’s hush money trial, forensic analyst Doug Daus revealed that Michael Cohen’s phone contained over 39,000 contacts, including Melania Trump and Hope Hicks, as well as secret recordings. One recording aired in court showed a conversation between Trump and Cohen discussing repayment to National Enquirer publisher David Pecker in a settlement with former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Trump’s attorneys questioned Keith Davidson, a lawyer for McDougal and Stormy Daniels in 2016, about his involvement in several celebrity tabloid scandals.
The U.S. job market is expected to report the addition of around 240,000 jobs in April, a slower pace than in March. The labor market appears to be splitting, with a shift toward skilled labor as white-collar hiring slows. Industries such as healthcare, government, social work, travel, tourism, and the arts are seeing strong growth. Economists have labeled this period as the “great stay,” but there is a fear among consumers that a more dramatic shift is on the horizon.
China launched an uncrewed lunar spacecraft in a first-of-its-kind mission to bring back samples from the far side of the moon, sparking competition with the United States and others in the space race. The Chang’e 6 mission lifted off from China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site, reflecting the country’s rapidly advancing space program. In other news, Britney Spears was involved in a fight with her boyfriend at a Los Angeles hotel, injuring her foot and causing paramedics to respond, but she left with her own security and without medical treatment.
The Belle Mead suburb in New Jersey, home to the fastest-growing Asian American population in the U.S., has seen a significant increase in Asian American residents over the past decade. The community, predominantly of Indian and Chinese descent, is drawn to the area for its good schools, small-town energy, safe streets, and opportunities. The residents have influenced the local culture through their celebrations, activities like cricket and language schools, and educational opportunities. This demographic shift in Belle Mead reflects broader trends in the Asian American electorate.
