Daily Briefing: Protests keep up the pressure
A lot of headlines about the Israel-Hamas war this Monday morning: Tensions over the war in Gaza were front and center as attendees of the White House Correspondents Dinner waded through crowds of pro-Palestinian protesters to enter the formal event where President Joe Biden spoke. Meanwhile, dozens of students protesting the war were arrested coast-to-coast over the weekend and the U.S. is beginning to construct a maritime aid route to Gaza.
🙋🏼♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. How do birds get their colors?
Tensions over war felt on campuses and beyond
Activists rallied outside a hotel hosting the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday night, painting an uncomfortable scene as fanciful attendees entered the event. Demonstrators targeted President Joe Biden, who spoke at the dinner, for his support of Israel's military campaign. Meanwhile, "physical altercations" ensued on Sunday at UCLA after demonstrators breached a security barrier separating counterprotesters. The clash came one day after student arrests occurred on at least four universities. Read more
Tornadoes and storms blast Midwest
A swath of the Midwest braced for more deadly storms after brutal weather blasted across the Plains, killing at least four people in Oklahoma, destroying homes and knocking out power to tens of thousands. The storm system threatened parts of Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa through Sunday night and thunderstorms are expected across the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf Coast into Monday, posing another risk of severe weather hazards such as hail, gusty winds, and flash flooding. Read more
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Can a floating aid island save Gaza?
American troops have begun constructing a floating pier three miles from Gaza's shore that will receive shipments of food and other humanitarian aid transported from Cyprus by commercial ships.
How it will work: Smaller ships will pick up the aid from the 72-feet wide and 270-feet long pier and ferry the aid to a pier on Gaza’s shore for delivery inland, where millions of people face food insecurity.
U.S. troops won't take the aid to shore or step foot in Gaza. Instead, American military personnel are training Israeli counterparts to anchor the pier on Gaza’s shore.
Why aren't deliveries by truck possible? Land routes provide aid more efficiently but have been restricted by Israel over security concerns.
The whole floating operation hangs in a fragile balance as Israel promised not to invade Rafah, a city where millions of Palestinians are seeking shelter, without consulting the U.S.
Is Mexico blocking migrants' path to the US?
The Biden administration and Texas are taking credit for an unusual springtime lull in illegal border crossings, with the White House touting its legal pathways and Gov. Greg Abbott championing his troops and concertina wire. But analysts, immigrant advocates and migrants themselves say it's Mexico blocking the path north. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's immigration agency has intensified a busing program that aims to hurt migrants' chances of reaching the U.S. border – or at least delay their arrival. Read more
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No HBCU players picked in 2024 NFL draft
For the second time in four years, no prospects from a Historically Black College or University were called during the 2024 NFL draft over the weekend. The shutout comes despite the creation of numerous initiatives designed to improve inclusion, such making the 2021 HBCU Legacy Bowl – sponsored by the Black College Hall of Fame – for draft-eligible prospects and the 2022 NFL-backed HBCU Combine. Read more
Photo of the day: A moment for Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman glittered in gold as she stepped out to receive her Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute at an all-star tribute gala Saturday night in Hollywood.
Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel-Hamas war protests, tornadoes, Gaza aid, migrants, NFL Draft: Daily Briefing
