5 things to know for April 30: University protests, Trump trial, Bird flu, Internet bills, coal plants

As protests and encampments proliferate on college campuses, some companies are wondering if these actions could start to spread to offices as well. Google CEO Sundar Pichai already fired about 50 employees for protesting the company’s relationship with the Israeli government as he urged his staffers to keep “politics” out of the workplace.

Here’s what more you should know to continue with your day and get up to speed.

1. Protests at universities

Hundreds of demonstrators have been taken into custody on more than 20 college campuses nationwide in anticipation of the spring commencement ceremonies. At least 200 Columbia University protestors blocked the entrance to one of the main undergraduate buildings overnight. Shortly after the school started penalizing pupils for refusing to leave an on-campus encampment, protestors took over the building. On Monday, Cornell University, another Ivy League institution, announced that it was suspending student demonstrators who refused to relocate. According to school officials, dozens more people were also taken into custody at UT-Austin, the majority of whom are not thought to be connected to the institution.

2. Trump trial

The third week of former President Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial will kick off in New York today, with prosecutors expected to continue questioning Michael Cohen’s former banker Gary Farro. Last week, Farro testified about working with Cohen and banking arrangements that were made to pay $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which is at the center of the case. Farro’s testimony today is expected to get into the documents that detail the paper trail tied to the 34 counts of falsifying business records that Trump faces. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denies the alleged affair. Meanwhile, Judge Juan Merchan has yet to rule on whether he’ll hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order that bars him from talking publicly about trial witnesses, the prosecutors, court staff and their families.

3. Bird flu

The H5N1 avian flu virus, which is spreading among dairy cattle, is being tested for in beef, including ground beef purchased from grocery shops, according to the US Department of Agriculture. In order to determine how much virus is eliminated at each heat setting, the organization is also in the process of performing cooking trials in which ground beef is injected with a “virus surrogate” and cooked to various temperatures. “USDA is confident that the meat supply is safe,” the agency said in a statement on Monday in an attempt to allay worries about eating beef. It advised customers to cook meat to a “safe internal temperature,” which destroys bacteria and viruses, and described “multiple safeguards in place.”

4. Internet invoices

More than 23 million US households will be forced to pay hundreds more per year or give up internet access as a key federal aid program runs out of money. Specifically, a federal benefit known as the Affordable Connectivity Program — which covers home internet service for low-income Americans — could end in May. The program is heavily used by Americans over age 50, military veterans and low-income working families nationwide, according to FCC data. Military families account for almost half of the ACP’s subscriber base, according to the White House. President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats have blamed Republicans on Capitol Hill for blocking legislation that would extend the ACP, even as many Republican congressional districts have received millions of dollars from the program.

5. Coal plants

A UK minister announced on Monday that the G7 countries’ ministers had decided to shut down all of their coal plants by 2035 at the latest, potentially leading to a breakthrough on climate change. Setting a deadline for coal, the fossil fuel that pollutes the planet the most, has generated a lot of controversy at international climate talks, but it may eventually persuade other nations to follow suit. Japan, which derived 32% of its electricity from coal in 2023, according to the climate think tank Ember, has blocked progress on the issue at past G7 meetings. This event occurs less than a week after the EPA unveiled new regulations requiring coal-fired power stations to close by 2039 or absorb almost all of their carbon emissions.

QUICK SEARCH

Released is a new teaser trailer for the animated “Lion King” prequel. A prequel to the popular 1994 movie “The Lion King” is being developed by Disney, and it will feature voiceovers by Beyoncé and her daughter Blue Ivy. Check out this teaser.

Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs sign a record-breaking contract. Super Bowl champion three times and four-time All-Pro Travis Kelce is now the highest-paid tight end in the NFL after agreeing to a new contract.

A fascinating Roman item is discovered by amateur archaeologists. What the Romans used this 12-sided device for is still a mystery to specialists, making it “one of archaeology’s great enigmas.”

Samsung reports a huge increase in profits due to the AI surge. A significant rise in memory chip sales is being reported by Samsung, in part because of the rapid advancements in AI.

CEO Bob Bakish is fired by Paramount Global Monday marked the departure of Paramount Global’s CEO due to the company’s intense rivalry in the streaming market.

TODAY’S NUMBER

10% That is the proportion of American high school students that vape on a regular basis, as reported by the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. According to a recent study, teens who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to be exposed to lead and uranium, which could be harmful to their developing brains and organs.

TODAY’S QUOTE

“They are heroes who ran into danger to save us, giving their all to protect us.”

— President Joe Biden, in a statement on Monday, expressed his condolences for the deaths of four police officers who were shot and murdered while trying to execute a warrant at a residence in Charlotte, North Carolina.

And at last…

Why this luxury Paris apartment is a bargain A lucky tenant was able to score an apartment in an iconic Paris building for just $800 a month! Watch this video to learn how.