U.S. Government Cancels US$2.7 M To Harvard

The United States Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced last 16 April the cancellation of more than US$ 2.7 million in grants to Harvard University amid tensions between the school and the Trump administration.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a press release that Noem unveiled the discontinuation of two grants from the department to Harvard worth more than US$ 2.7 million. The department also noted in the press release that Noem requested "detailed records on Harvard’s foreign student visa holders’ illegal and violent activities" in a letter.

"Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security," Noem said in the release.

"With anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology poisoning its campus and classrooms, Harvard’s position as a top institution of higher learning is a distant memory. America demands more from universities entrusted with taxpayer dollars," she added.

Last week, the Trump administration demanded Harvard change multiple policies — including those regarding protesting and diversity, equity and inclusion programs — in order to retain its federal funding. The school shot down the demands.

"No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue," Harvard President Alan Garber said in a message to the university’s community last 14 April.

The Trump administration said later that around US$ 2.2 billion in multiyear grants was going to be frozen to Harvard in the wake of the school’s rejection of the demands.

Noem’s department said in its press release that one of the grants, worth US$ 800,303, "branded conservatives as far-right dissidents in a shockingly skewed study" and the other, worth US$ 1,934,902, "funded Harvard’s public health propaganda."

"Both undermine America’s values and security," the press release continued.

In a statement emailed to The Hill, a Harvard spokesperson said the school was "aware of the Department of Homeland Security’s letter regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas, which—like the Administration’s announcement of the freeze of US$ 2.2 billion in grants and US$ 60 million in contracts, and reports of the revocation of Harvard’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status—follows on the heels of our statement that Harvard will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights."

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This Is Not A Laughing Matter For Pets

A veterinary nurse is sounding the alarm on a trending, viral and dangerous social media craze that has pet owners spinning their cats, dogs and even rabbits around by their front legs for laughs and likes.

Jade, a registered veterinary nurse and popular TikTokker appropriately known as Jade The Vet Nurse, blasted the stunt in a PSA-style video posted on last 13 April.

She didn’t mince words, calling on pet owners to put their furry friends’ health before their follower count.

"Can we please stop this trend where people lift their cats, dogs, or rabbits by their front legs and spin them around in circles?" she pleaded.

"This puts unnecessary strain on your pet’s joints/muscles and can make them feel dizzy and nauseous, all for the sake of a few views," she warned. "Let’s be responsible pet owners and get rid of this trend."

Jade, who has three dogs and three tortoises of her own, explained that the seemingly harmless twirl can lead to real harm — especially for small or fragile pets.

"This is not a nice trend for your pets. It can actually cause damage. By picking your animals up under the front legs, you put a lot of pressure and strain on the shoulders, the elbows, the muscles and the ligaments," she said.

"You can cause [them] to feel really dizzy and nauseous," The content creator stressed. "I’ve literally seen people try and do this trend with large dogs, and I have seen people drop their dogs, which can cause injury."

"I have seen people do this with smaller dogs, and as they’re spinning their dog around, the dog is literally squirming because that is not pleasant for them," she added.

And when animals start wriggling mid-spin? That’s a big red flag.

She explained that squirming can "cause damage to their spine," noting that French bulldogs and dachshunds are especially vulnerable to spinal issues.

"I don’t think it’s a very responsible thing to do," she said. "So I would say if you have posted one of these videos, it’s probably just a good idea to delete it and don’t get sucked into these kind of trends.

"I know you watch them and they look cute and they look fun," she continued, "but please, guys, think about our pets’ health and welfare first. I don’t think it’s a good idea to do this video for the sake of trying to get a few likes or maybe a viral video."

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Coachella Exorbitant Prices Stunned Influencers

Coachella news has dominated the music and lifestyle board recently, but the overpriced, inedible concessions at the event tops them all. Outraged critics who are calling out the music festival for being a "money trap" as hundreds of thousands descended on the Southern California desert.

One influencer claimed she spent over US$ 100 for her meal consisting of tacos and lemonade on the first night of Coachella last 11 April, which pop megastar Lady Gaga headlined on the festival’s main stage.

Ruth Viveros, who has chronicled her experience in Coachella Valley, shared a glimpse into the food at the famous music festival.

In a video posted on her TikTok profile, Viveros praised the US$ 17 lemonade and admitted she had already gotten her second cup, totaling US$ 34 spent on lemonade alone that day.

She also bought a taco combo, which included five tortillas filled with meat, onions, and sauce, as well as a plate of nachos. The full portion, including the two lemonades, cost her an astonishing US$ 102.

Although she complimented the lemonade, she admitted she didn’t like the food very much. "They’re not good, not good at all. The tortillas are cold."

In the post’s comments, users were stunned by the prices. "These prices are diabolical," said one commenter. "Coachella seems like a miserable financial trap everyone falls into," noted another. "It’s literally the worst festival of all time," a third person added.

Other users took the opportunity to point out that the cheapest Coachella ticket costs US$ 649 for the first weekend and US$ 599 for the second.

On the Coachella subreddit, Reddit users also shared prices of alcoholic beverages at the VIP tents. The menu showed a price of US$ 23 for a Red Bull with vodka and US$ 17 for spirits, including Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Malibu Rum.

Sodas were priced at US$ 7 and water was served for US$ 2. As for food, the cheapest items on the menu were around $15, while full "meals" were being sold for an average of US$ 20 to US$ 30.

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French Group Warns About Pesticides In Imported Flowers

Duing Valentines Day, flowers will come with a bit more than vivid colors and a nice scent. France’s oldest consumer group is reminding people that any imported cut flower with these characteristics will likely contains pesticides, including those banned in Europe.

The flower industry points to studies saying that cut flowers pose no health risk to consumers, though some advocates say there hasn't been enough study on whether the contamination could endanger florists who touch them daily.

Paris-based UFC-Que Choisir chose Valentine’s Day to release results of what it said were tests of roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums sold at florists, shops, supermarkets and online. It said it found potentially harmful residues of pesticides in every bouquet.

In the Netherlands — which produces roughly 60 percent of the global trade — a similar study came to similar conclusions.

Unlike for produce that is consumed, regulations in Europe on cut flowers place no limits on the level of pesticides, UFC-Que Choisir notes.

The group is calling on authorities to introduce maximum levels of pesticide residues, a ban on imports of flowers treated with pesticides that are banned in Europe, and mandatory labelling of the origin and treatment of flowers.

The group bought 15 bouquets of flowers. In each one, between seven and up to 46 different pesticide residues were identified, of which an average of almost 12 were deemed hazardous because they are possibly carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting, the group said. Residues of pesticides banned in the EU were found in two-thirds of the bouquets.

Valhor, the French inter-trade organization for horticulture, floristry and landscaping, however pointed to a study in Germany that concluded there were no risks for consumers who buy cut flowers.

"The entire industry is compliant and transparent," it said. "With regard to European and particularly French flower production, the industry complies with a strict and demanding legislative and regulatory framework for the use of plant protection products."

Valhor added that it promotes health and safety practices in the flower industry workplace to limit exposure, including the use of gloves.

Pierre Lebailly, a pesticide expert at University of Caen, regrets that there have been only a small number of studies on the impact of pesticides on florists’ health. Among those, a study in Belgium showed that pesticides could be absorbed through the skin when handling contaminated flowers, with a potential damaging effect on health.

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QR Codes On Baby Foods May Soon Show Heavy Metal Content

Parents all over the United States may soon be able to determine how much lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury are in the food they feed their babies, thanks to a California law, the first of its kind, that took effect this year.

As of 1 January 2025, every company that sells baby food products in California is required to test for these four heavy metals every month. That comes five years after a congressional report warned about the presence of dangerously high levels of lead and other heavy metals in baby food.

Every baby food product packaged in jars, pouches, tubs and boxes sold in California must carry a QR code on its label that consumers can scan to check the most recent heavy metal readings, although many are not yet complying.

Because companies seldom package products for a single state, parents and caregivers across the country will be able to scan these QR codes or go online to the companies’ websites and see the results.

Soil naturally contains heavy metals. The earth formed as a hot molten mass. As it cooled, heavier elements settled into its center regions, called the mantle and core. Volcanic eruptions in certain areas have brought these heavy metals to the surface over time. The volcanic rock erodes to form heavy metal-laden soil, contaminating nearby water supplies.

Another major source of soil contamination is the exhaust from fossil fuels, and in particular leaded gasoline. Some synthetic fertilizers contribute, too.

Heavy metals in the soil can pass into foods via several routes. Plants that yield foods such as sweet potatoes and carrots, apples, cinnamon, rice and plant-based protein powder are especially good at extracting them from contaminated soil.

Sometimes the contamination happens after harvesting. For example, local water that contains heavy metals is often used to rinse debris and bugs off natural products, such as leaves used to make a widely used supplement called kratom. When the water evaporates, the heavy metals are retained on the surface. Sometimes drying products in the open air, such as cacao beans for dark chocolate, allows dust laden with heavy metals to stick to their surface.

Producers can reduce heavy metal contamination in food in several ways, which range from modestly to very effectively. First, they can reserve more contaminated areas for growing crops that are less prone to taking in heavy metals from the soil, such as peppers, beans, squash, melons and cucumbers, and conversely grow more susceptible crops in less-contaminated areas. They can also dry plants on uncontaminated soil and filter heavy metals out of water before washing produce.

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Colorado Resource Directory For Black Population

There is a new resource that seeks to bring culturally appropriate health care providers to Black Coloradans. It's called the Colorado Black Health Resource Directory -- a collaboration between Colorado Black Health Collaborative and Connect for Health Colorado.

The 108-page guide is the most comprehensive source of Black health information in Colorado and provides listings for doctors and specialists from Fort Collins to Pueblo.

"It's all encompassing," said Dr. Terri Richardson, co-founder of CBHR. "We go cradle to grave, that's what we say."

Recently, she gathered with a group of fellow Black women to celebrate the release of CBHR.

Richardson says the idea first came about in 2010, a response to requests for information from Black Coloradans seeking to connect with medical providers who understand their unique concerns. It's now in its fifth edition.

"People said, 'You know what we could use? A holistic view of health.' A guide. We wanted to cover the Black diaspora not just African Americans. Folks from all over," she told CBS News Colorado's Mekialaya White.

According to the state of Colorado, in 2023, 4.18 percent of our population was Black or African American alone. It's a population that needs these resources, Richardson says.

"Sometimes, we feel like we get lost here in Colorado being only a small percentage of the population, yet our health disparities are at the top or the bottom as we always say."

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Livvy Dunne And Sydney Thomas Are Turning Heads

LSU gymnast and social media sensation Olivia "Livvy" Dunne, together with rising sports journalist Sydney Thomas are becoming the center of online discourse after posing for a photo together at a high-profile pre-Super Bowl party in New Orleans. The image quickly went viral, prompting a range of reactions from admiration to controversy, with many debating their impact, looks, and online presence.

The event in New Orleans has brought together athletes, media personalities, and celebrities in celebration of the upcoming Super Bowl. Known for its vibrant nightlife and rich sports culture, the city was the perfect backdrop for the high-energy gathering. Among the notable attendees were Dunne and Thomas, both of whom have built significant followings in their respective fields.

Dunne, a decorated LSU gymnast, has leveraged her talent and charisma to become one of the most influential college athletes on social media. Thomas, meanwhile, has made a name for herself as a Ring Girl. The duo’s appearance together at the party was bound to attract attention, but few could have predicted the level of reaction it would generate online.

Sydney Thomas and Livvy Dunne at a Super Bowl party today in New Orleans 👀 pic.twitter.com/TZhO9i4LGs

— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) February 9, 2025

Shortly after the two posed for a picture, the image spread rapidly across various platforms, igniting passionate responses from fans and critics alike. The comment sections on Twitter became battlegrounds of opinions, with users posting everything from admiration to biting criticism.

Some users praised their looks, with comments like:

• "Sydney Thomas fine as hell."
• "God, is this a sign to join the bunny brigade???"
• "Elite milk."

Others took a more critical or sarcastic tone:

• "Hate seeing this cracker Livvy Dunne everywhere. You can walk to Del Mar beach and find 1,000 Livvy Dunnes."
• "Two hoes."
• "Sorry, Dr. Umar."
• "One of these is not like the other."

The comments reflect a mix of humor, admiration, and social commentary, showcasing how quickly public figures can become the subject of internet debates.

This is not the first time Dunne has found herself at the center of attention in New Orleans. Earlier this year, she and her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, were seen celebrating in the city just hours before a tragic terrorist attack occurred on Bourbon Street. The incident, which resulted in multiple fatalities, cast a shadow over the city’s festivities and raised concerns about public safety.

Dunne’s growing influence, combined with her tendency to attract viral moments, has positioned her as one of the most talked-about figures in college athletics. Meanwhile, Thomas’s presence in the conversation highlights her rising profile in the sports media landscape.

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An 8-Grader Exposed The Impact Of Microplastic On Humans

These days, the school science fair isn't just about vinegar and baking soda eruptions from papier-mâché volcanoes. One 14-year-old made a remarkable — and concerning — discovery.

Forbes detailed how eighth grader Anushka Sable tested her hypothesis about the impact of microplastics on the human body.

Sable thought that plastic particles in human white blood cells would alter their properties and lead to tumor-like formations. With the help of her mentor at Emory University, she began exposing microplastics to human immune cells. Sable discovered that monocytes — which help in the body's inflammatory response — began to take up some of those plastics.

Further research involving a 3D cell culture found more tumor-like structures, suggesting microplastics in the body have the potential to cause cancer.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, microplastics have been found throughout the human body, with studies detecting them in breast milk, placentas, testicles, hearts, livers, and kidneys.

This suggests that a range of organs could be at risk of cancer through the presence of microplastics.

Forbes noted that polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene are most commonly found in human blood samples. These plastic particles could enter our bodies through the water we drink and the foods we eat. Seafood is a notable microplastic risk because of the 50 to 75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastic found in the ocean, as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization observed.

But it's not all bad news. Forbes said that Sable's efforts could prompt further study and possible treatments for the harmful chemicals found in our bodies from microplastic exposure.

Investing in an air purifier or water filter can help reduce microplastic exposure. Scientists are also finding ways to better remove this pollutant from drinking supplies.

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President Trump Signs EOs Overhauling School System

Just liked what he promised during his campaign trail, U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on school funding last 29 January that seek to enhance school choices and end funding for schools that support what the White House calls "radical indoctrination."

In the week and a half since he’s been in office, President Trump has signed a flurry of executive actions as he’s sought to remake the federal government and enact his sweeping "America First" agenda, with a particular target on so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The order on school choice — an issue that President Trump has been pushing for eight years — could be a huge win for conservative activists and politicians who have been advocating for decades to make it easier for families to spend taxpayer funds on private education.

The order involves multiple agencies in the effort to provide taxpayer funds to parents to pay for private schools.

Among its directives, the Department of Education – which President Trump has vowed to shut down – is ordered to issue guidance on using federal funding to support scholarship programs for grade school students. The Department of Defense is ordered to submit a plan to President Trump directly on how military families can use DOD funds to send children to their preferred school.

The secretary of interior is ordered to submit a plan to Trump on how families with students attending Bureau of Indian Education schools can use federal money to attend the school of their choice. And the Health and Human Services Department must issue guidance on how states can use HHS funds to attend private or faith-based schools.

Various conservative states across the country have already passed universal or near-universal school choice policies on the state level — either vouchers that directly send public dollars to private schools or "education savings account" programs that give parents more flexibility on where to spend the money. The present administration’s move to allow federal tax dollars to be directed to school choice could supercharge the movement.

But public school advocates and public school teachers’ unions have long been against redirecting taxpayer dollars from public schools to private schools, saying it would harm poorer public schools. Districts have already been dealing with budget shortfalls, in addition to a dramatic reduction in the public school population, which is often a factor in determining how much funding a school district will receive. Public school advocates believe eventually school choice will mean the end of public schools and an increase in education inequity.

One source within a teachers’ union expressed some skepticism on the overall impact this order would have, pointing to how unpopular school choice has been with some voters who have rejected these policies on a state level.

The additional school-related executive order is about protecting parental rights and ending discrimination.

"My Administration will enforce the law to ensure that recipients of Federal funds providing K-12 education comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in various contexts and protecting parental rights," the order reads.

It calls for government agencies to come up with a plan to end funding "for illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination in K-12 schools, including based on gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology."

Trump is also calling on the federal government to cancel student visas for what he called "Hamas sympathizers" on college campuses, according to a White House fact sheet.

He later signed an executive order calling on government agencies to submit a report within 60 days to identify civil and criminal authorities to combat antisemitism and "containing an inventory and analysis of all pending administrative complaints, as of the date of the report, against or involving institutions of higher education alleging civil-rights violations related to or arising from post-October 7, 2023, campus anti-Semitism."

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