Harvard’s president speaks out in opposition to Trump. And, an evaluation of DEI job losses

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Right this moment’s prime tales

In a video interview with Morning Version‘s Steve Inskeep, Harvard President Alan Garber mentioned establishments have to double down on their “commitment to the good of the nation” and be agency in what they stand for, which he believes is training and the pursuit of fact. The college sued as soon as when the administration lower off billions of {dollars} of analysis grants and contracts. The newest swimsuit got here final week when the administration banned Harvard from internet hosting worldwide college students. A decide quickly blocked the administration’s newest motion, permitting international college students the potential to remain for now.

• 🎧 The Harvard lawsuit and Garber argue that the administration goes after one thing greater than worldwide college students. Garber says he would not absolutely know the administration’s motives. Nevertheless, Garber says he is aware of some conservatives wish to reshape greater training over points like range, fairness and inclusion. Garber says he desires to encourage free debate on campus and that having worldwide college students helps contribute to the college’s atmosphere.
• ➡️ Here is a glance, by the numbers, on the impression of worldwide college students at Harvard and throughout the U.S., together with the place most of them come from.

Company America is distancing itself from DEI. This transfer showcases a major shift from 5 years in the past, when the racial reckoning triggered by George Floyd’s homicide despatched corporations racing to workers up. NPR reviews on the extent of job losses on this discipline.

• 🎧 Greater than 2,600 jobs in DEI have been eradicated within the final couple of years, NPR’s Maria Aspan reviews on Up First. That’s over 10% of the DEI jobs that existed firstly of 2023. Aspan talked with Candace Byrdsong Williams, who was laid off final summer season and hasn’t been capable of finding a brand new job. Aspan says that although Williams is just one particular person, there are millions of individuals who have been residing by way of this very altering and politized job market.

The Gaza Humanitarian Basis, a brand new group backed by the U.S. and Israel, is beginning to deliver restricted portions of meals to Gaza, the place starvation is widespread and excessive. Nevertheless, the group is dealing with suspicion and rising criticism from the UN and different help teams. Jake Wooden, the chief director, resigned on Sunday, saying he couldn’t abandon rules of humanity, impartiality and independence.

• 🎧 As a substitute of distributing meals to websites in Gaza the place persons are ravenous, the brand new group will function in solely 4 new zones with Israeli troopers guarding the edges, NPR’s Daniel Estrin reviews. The personal contractors will give out packing containers of meals to households as soon as per week. A personal U.S. firm run by a former CIA officer is concerned within the group, which will not say the place its funding comes from.

Deep dive

ears after their son left the U.S. to affix ISIS, a Minnesota couple discovered that they had two younger grandsons trapped in a Syrian desert camp. They had been decided to rescue them.

Dion MBD for NPR

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Dion MBD for NPR

Years after their son left the U.S. to affix ISIS, a Minnesota couple discovered that they had two younger grandsons trapped in a Syrian desert camp. They’re amongst an estimated 22 U.S. residents nonetheless within the sprawling, primitive camps, together with about 17 American kids, in response to the State Division. The 2 Minnesota boys had been there till Might 2024, after they had been flown in a navy cargo airplane to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport in New York to begin a brand new life within the American Midwest. Learn the total story right here by NPR’s Sacha Pfeiffer.

Image present

The view of the Andes from Cerro San Cristobal above Santiago, Chile.

Brian Mann/NPR

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Brian Mann/NPR

Autumn has arrived in South America, and it is excellent mountain climbing situations in Santiago, Chile, the capital, the place steep hills rise above the town. On the middle is Cerro San Cristóbal, with breathtaking views of wildflowers, pine forests and the Andes Mountains. NPR’s Brian Mann made the trek, the place he ventured by way of forested hills of volcanic rock and groves of cactus. Take a look at pictures from his journey and hear as he shares his expertise from the path right here.

3 issues to know earlier than you go

Hummingbirds collect round a hummingbird feeder full of sugar water, in a yard within the San Fernando Valley part of the town of Los Angeles, July 17, 2014.

Robyn Beck/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

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Robyn Beck/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

1. A brand new examine in World Change Biology particulars the evolutionary change of Anna’s Hummingbirds within the western U.S., discovering their beaks have grown longer and extra tapered to get probably the most from frequent yard feeders.
2. In 2016, Tulika Prasad’s non-verbal, autistic son had an outburst at a grocery retailer. A stranger, additionally a mother or father of a kid with autism, understood what was occurring. The unsung hero helped her together with her groceries and provided empathy as an alternative of displaying pity.
3. Filmmaker Marcel Ophuls, who was generally known as one of many nice documentarians of his period, died Saturday at age 97. He commanded his viewers’s consideration with four-hour-plus documentaries like The Sorrow and The Pity.

This article was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi.