News briefs: What to know locally, nationally, globally

Campus News

Civil rights expert john a. powell gives talk on systemic racism

john a. powell gave a speech in Hayes Hall on Wednesday as a part of his weeklong residency at the School of Architecture and Planning as the 2016-17 Clarkson Chair in Urban and Regional Planning. Powell discussed systemic racism and unconscious bias. He said in institutions like UB or our central government, diversity can point to “collective strength” and help “de-escalate the country’s current obsession with shaming and exploiting ‘the other.’”

UB professors to fight for survival in Life Raft Debate

Professors will plead their cases for survival in the sixth annual Life Raft Debate on Feb. 15.

The debate is sponsored by the Undergraduate Academies and the University Honors College. It will take place from 6-8 p.m in 107 Capen Hall. Six professors from six different departments will defend their academic fields.

Walter Hakala, professor of English and Asian studies, William Kinney, professor of physics, Lance Rintamaki, professor communication, Satpal Singh, professor of pharmacology and toxicology and Gwynn Thomas, professor of global gender studies will participate in the debate.

Locally

Ridesharing Buffalo forum held on Saturday

Lawmakers and the Buffalo community discussed on Saturday legalizing ridesharing in Upstate New York. There was a rally outside of the forum for those who are against ridesharing. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said at the forum that ridesharing could help “boost” communities, according to WGRZ. 

Buffalo Billion defendants

Three Former LPCiminelli executives charged in the Buffalo Billion corruption case made a request to hold their trial in Buffalo and not New York City. The three executives were charged for an alleged bid-rigging scandal.

Nationally

Kellyanne Conway “counseled” for promoting Ivanka Trump’s clothing line

Kellyanne Conway, senior adviser to President Donald Trump was “counseled” after promoting Ivanka Trump’s clothing line during an interview. A white house official said President Trump “hated” Press Secretary Sean Spicer use of the word counseled.

Conway apologized for comments on Feb. 9. A senior administration official told CNN that Trump fully supported Conway’s comments.

President Trump claims credit for hundreds arrested in ICE raids

President Trump has claimed credit for the recent slew of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have occurred in the last week.

“The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers & others are being removed!" Trump tweeted Sunday.

Immigration rights activists have widely criticized the arrests.

"These activities have caused fear and uncertainty for many constituents," Rep. Lou Correa (D-Calif.) said in a letter to ICE with a list of questions about the arrests.

David Marin, an ICE official in California said the ICE raids were in its planning stages before the current administration issued Trump issued his executive orders.

Globally

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet with President Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to have his first face-to-face meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. The meeting, which will focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and policy toward Iran, is expected to set the tone for U.S.-Israel relations under the Trump administration. Netanyahu said on Sunday he plans to present “responsible policies” in his meeting with Trump.

North Korea test-fires ballistic missile

North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile on Sunday, according to U.S. and South Korean officials. This is the first missile test by Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital city, since President Donald Trump took office. The missile landed in the Sea of Japan and was fired while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited President Trump in the United States.

News desk can be reached at news@ubspectrum.com