U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his just-concluded latest visit to China with a stop at a Beijing record store where he bought albums by Taylor Swift and Chinese rocker Dou Wei in a symbolic nod to cross-cultural exchanges and understanding he had been promoting for three days. Music, he said at the Li-Pi shop on his way to the airport late Friday, “is the best connector, regardless of geography.” Yet Swift’s “Midnights” and Dou Wei’s “Black Dream” could just as easily represent the seemingly intractable divisions in the deeply troubled relationship between the world’s two largest economies that both sides publicly and privately blame on the other. And, as Blinken's trip showed, neither side is willing to back down.
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Student anti-war protesters at U.S. universities are digging in and vowing to keep their demonstrations going, while several school faculties have condemned university presidents for calling law enforcement. As Columbia University continues tenuous negotiations with the pro-Palestinian student encampment, the University’s senate criticized the schools' president on Friday after more than 100 protesters were arrested last week. School faculties at universities in California, Georgia, and Texas initiated or passed votes of no confidence in their leadership. They are largely symbolic rebukes, without the power remove their presidents. But the tensions pile pressure on school officials, who are already scrambling to resolve the protests as May graduation ceremonies near.
AP
Anthony Edwards scored 36 points, Rudy Gobert added 19 points and 14 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves used a hot-shooting third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 126-109 on Friday night and take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series. Minnesota goes for the sweep in Game 4 on Sunday in Phoenix. It was the third straight game the Wolves used a big third to turn a tight game into a comfortable victory. Minnesota hit 7 of 11 3-pointers during the surge, including four from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, to take a 22-point lead into the fourth. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 28 points while Kevin Durant had 25 and Devin Booker 23.
For many in the graduating class of 2024, the unrest at campuses across the country over the Israel-Hamas war has marked an emotional end to their college experiences that started amid a pandemic. Students across the country say the reactions by colleges to the demonstrations have been particularly painful, including the cancellation of the main commencement ceremony at the University of Southern California on May 10. Many of the graduates also saw their high school proms and graduation ceremonies cancelled to curb the spread of COVID-19. Some say they believe the turmoil has made them care deeply for others.
Alejandro Fonseca stood in line for several hours outside a bank in Havana hoping to withdraw Cuban pesos from an ATM. But when it was almost his turn, the cash ran out. He hopped on his electric tricycle and traveled several kilometers to another branch where he finally managed to withdraw some money after wasting the entire morning. “It shouldn’t be so difficult to get the money you earn by working,” the 23-year-old says. Fonseca is one of an increasing number of frustrated Cubans who have to grapple with yet another hurdle while navigating an already complicated monetary system in the island — a shortage of cash.
South Africans celebrate their “Freedom Day” every April 27. It's the day they remember their country’s pivotal first democratic election in 1994 that announced the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of apartheid. Saturday is the 30th anniversary of the momentous vote when millions of Black South Africans decided their own futures for the first time. It was a fundamental right they had been denied by a white minority government. The first all-race election saw the previously-banned African National Congress party win overwhelmingly and made Nelson Mandela the country’s first Black president. The iconic moment is still marked but South Africa is changing again 30 years later.
FILE - People queue to cast their votes In Soweto, South Africa April 27, 1994, in the country's first all-race elections. South Africans celebrate "Freedom Day" every April 27, when they remember their country's pivotal first democratic elections in 1994 that announced the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of apartheid. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell. File)
FILE - Then African National Congress leader, Nelson Mandela casts his vote April 27, 1994 near Durban, South Africa, in the country's first all-race elections. South Africans celebrate "Freedom Day" every April 27, when they remember their country's pivotal first democratic elections in 1994 that announced the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of apartheid. (AP Photo/John Parkin. File)
FILE — Nelson Mandela addresses supporters during victory celebrations in Johannesburg as he and the African National Congress are set to take power following the country's first racially integrated election, May 2, 1994. South Africans celebrate "Freedom Day" every April 27, when they remember their country's pivotal first democratic elections in 1994 that announced the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of apartheid. (AP Photo/John Parkin)
FILE — Nelson Mandela addresses supporters during victory celebrations in Johannesburg as he and the African National Congress are set to take power following the country's first racially integrated election, May 2, 1994. South Africans celebrate "Freedom Day" every April 27, when they remember their country's pivotal first democratic elections in 1994 that announced the official end of the racial segregation and oppression of apartheid. (AP Photo/Peter Delong/File)
