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  California college cancels graduation ceremony as protests after Israel's war in Gaza continue A leading California university has cancelled its graduation ceremony as protests over Gaza continue to spread on college campuses across the US. The University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles cited "new safety measures" in disbanding the event. Hundreds of people have been arrested on dozens of campuses where protests and encampments have sprung up in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Universities have brought in police to force students to leave. But some are also negotiating. At Columbia University in New York City , where the protests began last week, a Thursday night deadline for an end to the encampment was dropped. Talks were showing progress and would continue, the university said. At Atlanta's Emory University, 28 demonstrators were arrested on Thursday after refusing to leave. ab c USC tense after valedictorian speech cancelled Where are the Gaza pro...

  Jeremy Hunt defends civil service job cuts to increase defence spending Jeremy Hunt has defended plans to slash civil service jobs to increase defence spending and Ukraine aid, during a surprise trip to Kyiv. The chancellor said cutting public services will cost "a great deal less" compared to allowing Russia to succeed. The government has pledged to  increase UK military spending  to 2.5% of national income by 2030. Mr Hunt confirmed the increase will cost an extra £20bn, which unions claim will be funded by cutting 70,000 jobs. Downing Street said the plans would be funded through existing commitments to reduce the civil service headcount to pre-Covid levels, and giving the ministry of defence (MoD) a share of an already-announced increase in government research spending. The Public and Commercial Services Union said cutting civil servants' jobs to pay for higher defence spending would lead to longer waiting lists for new passports, driving tests and driving licence. ...

  US-Israel: Netanyahu vows to reject any US sanctions on army units. a bc Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to reject any sanctions on the country's military, after reports that the US plans to cut aid to one unit. "I will fight it with all my strength," the prime minister said on Sunday. Earlier, the Axios news site said the US would target Israel's Netzah Yehuda battalion over alleged human rights violations in the occupied West Bank. a bc The BBC understands any move would come under a US ban on aid to foreign units credibly implicated in violations. When asked last week about reports that US military aid to the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) units could be cut over allegations of human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "I've made determinations; you can expect to see them in the days ahead". Washington - Israel's main ally - has never suspended aid to an IDF unit before. The Israeli mili...

  “We have our jury,” Justice Juan M. Merchan proclaimed as the 12th juror was added. Justice Juan M. Merchan warned against identifying the people who might judge Donald J. Trump, who regularly attacks the justice system. Prosecutors have asked that Donald J. Trump be punished for promoting attacks on the jury system and the court. Credit... Pool photo by Brendan McDermid At 4:34 p.m. on Thursday, a jury of 12 citizens was selected to determine the fate of an indicted former president for the first time in American history, a moment that could shape the nation’s political and legal landscapes for generations to come. The dozen New Yorkers will sit in judgment of Donald J. Trump, the 45th president turned criminal defendant, who has been accused of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal. If the jurors convict Mr. Trump, he could face up to four years in prison, even as he seeks to reclaim the White House as the presumptive Republican nominee. a bc “We have our jury,” Justic...

  Trump and Polish President discuss NATO members increasing their defense spending Former President Donald Trump stands with Polish President Andrzej Duda at Trump Tower on April 17, 2024 in New York City. Trump met with President Duda, a strong supporter of Ukraine, as European and NATO leaders prepare for the possibility that Trump wins the November presidential election and returns to the White House.   Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images   Former President Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda discussed NATO spending in a dinner meeting at Trump Tower in New York City Wednesday, according to a readout of the meeting from the Trump campaign. ab c The pair   “discussed President Duda’s proposal for NATO countries to go to 3% spending on their defense,” according to the campaign. CNN previously reported that Duda has called for all NATO member states to increase their defense spending to 3% of GDP, up from the current pledge of 2%. Duda r...