News Roundup 05/20/19
1. Morehouse College Commencement Speaker Promises to Pay Off Student Loans
Billionaire investor, Robert F. Smith, announced on Sunday that he would be paying off this years graduating class student loans. The news came as a surprise to the 396 students when the commencement speaker announced "On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we're going to put a little fuel in your bus," In videos posted online graduates are seen jumping up and screaming in excitement for their newly debt free life. According to Forbes, Smith is worth approximately $5 billion and is the founder of the investment firm Vista Equity. It is estimated that he has committed to paying over $40 million in student loan debt.
Source: CNN
2. Deutsche Bank Under Scrutiny After Employees Out Leaders
On Sunday May 19 the New York Times reported that Deutsche Bank neglected to report transactions involving President Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to a federal crimes watchdog. Approximately 3 years ago, computer systems that flag for money laundering alerted employees of the discovery. Now, 5 current and former employees have stepped forward to report that nothing was done about the suspicious activity. Although the computers flagged their companies for money laundering it does not mean that the alerts have any basis to them.
Source: Vox
3. Oklahoma and Texas Brace for a Storm
According to CNN, Oklahoma and Texas are under severe storm watch for the next few days. Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a level 5 out of 5 warning to over 2 million residents in this area. Students have been advised to stay home as school districts across the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma have been closed. CNN meteorologist David Hennen reported "there is also a high risk for flash flooding from parts of Oklahoma and Kansas, where rainfall totals of 3-6" will fall on already saturated ground,"
Source: CNN
4. Chicago Inaugurates Lori Lightfoot as Mayor
In a historic moment, Chicago inaugurated the first black and openly gay mayor on Monday May 20. During her inauguration speech she promised to tackle issues such as gun violence, education and safety but reiterated that it would take some time. "A city where people want to grow old and not flee. A city of sanctuary against fear where no one must hide in the shadows. A city that is affordable for families and seniors, and where every job pays a living wage. A city of fairness and hope and prosperity for the many, not just for the few, a city that holds equity and inclusion as our guiding principles." Lightfoot said.
Source: NPR
5. Trumps Threatens a War with Iran
On Sunday, President Donald Trump told the American people that if Iran threatened the U.S. again or considered buying nuclear weapons that it could possibly mean war. In a tweet yesterday he exclaimed, “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!” In an interview with Fox News Steve Hilton Trump elaborated on his tweet further, “I just don’t want them to have nuclear weapons, and they can’t be threatening us. I’m not somebody that wants to go into war, because war hurts economies, war kills people, most importantly.”
Source: Vox