An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Tensions rise at UCLA; Harvey Weinstein gets a retrial; a cat shipped herself 630 miles; and more

2024/05/02

Good morning. It's Thursday, May 2, and I can't believe I'd never heard of the most popular iPhone app in America. Now let's get to the news.

At UCLA: Police in riot gear are facing off with protesters. Tensions are high a day after counterprotesters violently attacked the school's pro-Palestinian encampment.
In Congress: The House passed a bill yesterday to expand the definition of antisemitism to include certain criticism of Israel. Critics say it violates the First Amendment.

What to know: The strict Civil War-era ban was revived last month by a state Supreme Court decision, leading to a national backlash. The governor may sign the repeal into law today.
But it's not over yet: The ban is still on track to temporarily take effect in June because of procedural issues. In November, Arizona voters may decide whether to enshrine abortion rights.

Why? The far-right Georgia Republican is angry that Mike Johnson (R.-La.) relied on Democrats to pass key bills. She'll force a vote to remove him next week.
Will she succeed? It's not looking likely. Only a few other Republicans publicly back her. Democrats may block it. And Trump is reportedly not supportive.

What to know: The disgraced 72-year-old former film producer's 2020 conviction for rape was overturned last week by New York's highest court, which found his trial was unfair.
Zooming out: The case will be retried after Labor Day, a judge said yesterday. He remains in prison for a separate rape conviction. His accusers launched the #MeToo movement in 2017.

What it found: Pasteurization kills a highly infectious strain of bird flu found in grocery store milk and dairy, the agency announced yesterday. That means it's safe to consume.
The bigger picture: Tests revealed last week that 1 in 5 samples of grocery store milk had fragments of the virus. The disease has been spreading among dairy cattle.

The background: In 2002, a landmark study linked drugs used to alleviate menopause symptoms to increased risk of disease, causing millions to abandon them.
What's new? A long-term follow-up, published yesterday, suggests those fears were overblown and the drugs are relatively safe for short-term treatment in women under 60.
In related news: Senators, backed by Oscar winner Halle Berry, will today unveil a $275 million bill to boost menopause care.

Galena went missing April 10. (Brandy Hunter)

Who's that? Galena, a 6-year-old cat who lives in Utah. She climbed into a box with some boots and was found six days later at an Amazon return warehouse in Southern California.
How did it happen? She's a quiet cat who loves to hide and doesn't weigh much, Galena's owners said. Her microchip got her home, where she's in good health.