World News

‘No credibility’: Critics cry foul as colleges press for free speech amid Israel-Hamas conflict on October 20, 2023 at 9:30 am

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2023

Universities are facing allegations of hypocrisy over their calls for a free exchange of ideas on campus amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, with some saying how colleges have dealt with free speech controversies before puts them in a tough position to turn down the current tension.

Colleges have come under fire during the bloodshed, receiving condemnation for either statements from university leadership seen as too weak on Hamas or for defending professors’ right to free speech after they made statements against Israel.

“When facing tragedy, we can feel our differences intensely. Regardless of how we view the war in the Middle East, I believe in the strength of this community. We remain committed to open dialogue and to sustaining a community of respect. I call on all of us to treat each other with compassion and understanding and to reject discrimination and intolerance in any form,” Yale President Peter Salovey said three days after Hamas’s attack on Israel.

More than 40,000 people have signed a petition to fire a Yale professor over their comments on the war.

And calls for open dialogue from leaders at multiple colleges are ringing hollow for critics who point to how past free speech controversies have been handled.

“They can’t pick and choose the issue. ‘Oh, we’re going to denounce this or that’ and then some other issue comes along, and they decide to be silent when a good part of the public is outraged,” said David Keating, president of the conservative-leaning Institute for Free Speech.

On other issues, such as the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, many U.S. colleges have taken strong positions.

Harvard University’s FXB Center for Health and Human Rights called that decision last year “harmful” and said it would “cost lives, hurt families and communities, and disproportionately impact poor people and people of color.”

Schools weighing in on hot-bottom issues such as former President Trump, gay rights and Ukraine but being unable to put together stronger statements on the Israel-Hamas war makes their call for free speech look “opportunistic,” according to Alex Morey, director of Campus Rights Advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).

“Now you know, thousands of Jews are being murdered and now suddenly, you don’t want to weigh in or now there’s war crimes in Gaza. Now, you don’t want to weigh in. Oh, isn’t that convenient? You know, certainly, there are going to be accusations,” Morey said.

The sentiment that schools were initially too soft or too slow in their statements against Hamas has cost some Ivy Leaguers such as Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania billionaire donors and accusations of antisemitism.

“The University’s silence in the face of reprehensible and historic Hamas evil against the people of Israel (when the only response should be outright condemnation) is a new low. Silence is antisemitism, and antisemitism is hate, the very thing higher ed was built to obviate,” long-time donor and former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in a letter to the president of UPenn announcing he was cutting ties to the school.

Keating said, “A lot of these institutions have no credibility,” pointing to past campus events that have been canceled or lost official support because of controversy.

While the Israel-Palestine issue is a particularly volatile topic on campus, students and bystanders seem to be ignoring universities’ calls for free speech due to inconsistency on the issue in the past.

“Universities have really taken sides on a lot of issues. And they’re also catering for students who are saying ‘There are views on campus, there are speakers on campus that don’t align with the university’s views, with my views. Administrators, censor them, cancel that speaker. We don’t want these views here,’” Morey said.

“Now we come to a moment where there are two really entrenched sides, both with views that finally the university understands, ‘Gosh, there are points on both sides. We ought to be able to talk through this issue.’ Suddenly, no one on campus knows how to do that because there’s been this growth of orthodoxy on campus.” she added.

Moving forward, experts are saying university leadership needs to take back their role of host of debates on campus and not participants.

The University of Chicago is held up by many as the gold standard for free speech policies on college campuses after it created the “Kalven Report” back in the 1960s to clearly define and make “a statement on the University’s role in political and social action.” The committee concluded the school “must embrace, be hospitable to, and encourage the widest diversity of views within its own community” and should not be announcing opinions on political issues of the day except in extraordinary circumstances.

Kristen Shahverdian, senior manager of the free expression and education team at PEN America, said the riff today shows campuses need to be “a lot more proactive” in creating policies like the Kalven report that clearly define free speech principles in order to “build a culture to have deep, respectful discourse.”

“If [the colleges have] been doing that consistently throughout, students would know where to turn to, they might know already where different resources are, they may understand the policy that the university has on expression on campus and all of that could serve as a better foundation” for productive debates on campuses, Shahverdian said.

Business

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT RETURNS FOR ITS 5TH EDITION AT THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT – HOUSE OF LORDS, PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

Published

3 weeks ago

May 16, 2026

Bolanle Media Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theme: “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation”

London, United Kingdom — The Global Sustainability Summit (GSS) is officially back for its landmark 5th Edition, continuing its legacy as one of the leading international platforms driving sustainable development, climate action, ethical investment, innovation, and global collaboration.

Convened annually at the prestigious British Parliament, House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, by Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto, the Summit has, over the last four years, successfully fostered international dialogue and partnerships that have contributed to the advancement of global sustainability goals, the establishment of sustainability-focused ministries, departments and policy structures across national and subnational governments, and the attraction of major investors into sustainable development projects, corporations and emerging economies.

This year’s summit, themed “People, Planet, and Profit in the Age of AI and Innovation,” will explore how emerging technologies, responsible leadership, sustainable finance, innovation, and global partnerships can shape a more inclusive, resilient and environmentally conscious future.

The 5th Edition promises to be the most impactful yet, bringing together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, investors, academics, innovators, climate experts and youth leaders from across the globe to discuss actionable solutions toward achieving a sustainable and equitable future.

Among the distinguished speakers, delegates and honorees already lined up for the Summit are:

• His Excellency Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq — Executive Governor of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum

• His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu — Executive Governor of Cross River State, Nigeria

• Ambassador Patricia Espinosa Cantellano — Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico

• Lord Marvin Rees, Baron Rees of Easton OBE — Member of the House of Lords, United Kingdom

• Hon. Neema K. Lugangira — Secretary-General of Women Political Leaders (WPL), Brussels and Former Member of Parliament

• Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — President of the Republic of Namibia

• His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba — Former President of Namibia

• Former President of Tanzania

• Her Excellency Ambassador Professor Olufolake AbdulRazaq — First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum

• Your Excellency Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, PhD, CON — Executive Governor of Katsina State and Chairman of the Northwest Governors Forum, Nigeria

• Hon. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma — Governor of Khomas Region, Namibia

• H.E. Mr. Veiccoh Nghiwete — High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia to the United Kingdom

• Her Excellency Ms. Macenje “Che Che” Mazoka — High Commissioner of Zambia to the United Kingdom

• Ms. Danielle Newman — Partner Lead, ICT, World Economic Forum

• Leanne Elliott Young — Co-founder, Institute of Digital Fashion & CommuneEast

• Ms. Chloe Russell — Producer & Presenter, Art, Science and Nature

• Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger — University of Cambridge & University of Waterloo

• Dr. Alexandra R. Harrington — IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL)

• Professor Payam Akhavan — Massey College, University of Toronto

• Mr. Mallai C. E. Sathya — President, Dravida Vetri Kazhagam and International Movement for Tamil Culture Asia

The Summit will feature high-level panel discussions, strategic investment conversations, sustainability awards, policy dialogues, innovation showcases, youth engagement sessions and international networking opportunities focused on climate resilience, ethical financing, food-water-energy sustainability, circular economy, artificial intelligence, diplomacy and sustainable development.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Convener Ambassador Canon Chinenem Otto noted:

“As the world rapidly evolves through artificial intelligence and technological innovation, we must ensure that sustainability remains people-centered, environmentally responsible and economically inclusive. The Global Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a bridge connecting governments, institutions, innovators and investors to accelerate practical sustainability solutions globally. Our fifth edition is not only a celebration of progress made over the years, but also a renewed call for global collaboration and actionable impact toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Net Zero ambitions.”

The Global Sustainability Summit continues to position itself as a catalyst for transformative partnerships and sustainable global progress, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

More announcements regarding additional speakers, partners and summit activities will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

News

US May Completely Cut Income Tax Due to Tariff Revenue

Published

6 months ago

November 30, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

President Donald Trump says the United States might one day get rid of federal income tax because of money the government collects from tariffs on imported goods. Tariffs are extra taxes the U.S. puts on products that come from other countries.

What Trump Is Saying

Trump has said that tariff money could become so large that it might allow the government to cut income taxes “almost completely.” He has also talked about possibly phasing out income tax over the next few years if tariff money keeps going up.

How Taxes Work Now

Right now, the federal government gets much more money from income taxes than from tariffs. Income taxes bring in trillions of dollars each year, while tariffs bring in only a small part of that total. Because of this gap, experts say tariffs would need to grow by many times to replace income tax money.

Questions From Experts

Many economists and tax experts doubt that tariffs alone could pay for the whole federal budget. They warn that very high tariffs could make many imported goods more expensive for shoppers in the United States. This could hit lower- and middle‑income families hardest, because they spend a big share of their money on everyday items.

What Congress Must Do

The president can change some tariffs, but only Congress can change or end the federal income tax. That means any real plan to remove income tax would need new laws passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. So far, there is no detailed law or full budget plan on this idea.

What It Means Right Now

For now, Trump’s comments are a proposal, not a change in the law. People and businesses still have to pay federal income tax under the current rules. The debate over using tariffs instead of income taxes is likely to continue among lawmakers, experts, and voters.

News

Epstein Files to Be Declassified After Trump Order

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2025

Bolanle Media Staff

Former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing federal agencies to declassify all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier whose death in 2019 continues to fuel controversy and speculation.

The order, signed Wednesday at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, instructs the FBI, Department of Justice, and intelligence agencies to release documents detailing Epstein’s network, finances, and alleged connections to high-profile figures. Trump described the move as “a step toward transparency and public trust,” promising that no names would be shielded from scrutiny.

“This information belongs to the American people,” Trump said in a televised statement. “For too long, powerful interests have tried to bury the truth. That ends now.”

U.S. intelligence officials confirmed that preparations for the release are already underway. According to sources familiar with the process, the first batch of documents is expected to be made public within the next 30 days, with additional releases scheduled over several months.

Reactions poured in across the political spectrum. Supporters praised the decision as a bold act of accountability, while critics alleged it was politically motivated, timed to draw attention during a volatile election season. Civil rights advocates, meanwhile, emphasized caution, warning that some records could expose private victims or ongoing legal matters.

The Epstein case, which implicated figures in politics, business, and entertainment, remains one of the most talked-about scandals of the past decade. Epstein’s connections to influential individuals—including politicians, royals, and executives—have long sparked speculation about the extent of his operations and who may have been involved.

Former federal prosecutor Lauren Fields said the release could mark a turning point in public discourse surrounding government transparency. “Regardless of political stance, this declassification has the potential to reshape how Americans view power and accountability,” Fields noted.

Officials say redactions may still occur to protect sensitive intelligence or personal information, but the intent is a near-complete disclosure. For years, critics of the government’s handling of Epstein’s case have accused agencies of concealing evidence or shielding elites from exposure. Trump’s order promises to change that narrative.

As anticipation builds, journalists, legal analysts, and online commentators are preparing for what could be one of the most consequential information releases in recent history.