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Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Columbia student data stolen by politically motivated hacker, university says
NEW YORK (AP) — A politically motivated hacker breached Columbia University's data systems last week, stealing troves of student documents while briefly shutting down the school's computer systems, a university official said. The June 24 cyberattack prompted widespread network outages on campus, locking students and staff out of their email accounts, coursework and video conference software for several hours. On the same day, images of President Donald Trump's smiling face appeared on several public monitors across the Manhattan campus. A spokesperson for Columbia declined to elaborate on the political motivations behind the attack. But they described a highly sophisticated 'hacktivist' who had gained access to private student records in an attempt to further a political agenda. The spokesperson said it was unclear if the Trump photo display was connected to the data breach. 'We are investigating the scope of the apparent theft and will share our findings with the University community as well as anyone whose personal information was compromised,' the school said. The cyberattack comes as Columbia remains in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, which has threatened to pull $400 million in federal funds over what it claims is the school's failure to protect Jewish students. Negotiations over a possible settlement are ongoing. The university has already agreed to a host of changes demanded by Trump, including placing its Middle East studies department under new supervision and overhauling its rules for protests and student discipline. In March, a cyberattack against New York University resulted in student admission records briefly appearing on the school's website. An online hacker who took credit for that action on social media said the intent was to prove the university was not in compliance with the Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions. An NYU spokesperson said at the time that the data displayed on its webpage was 'inaccurate and misleading,' adding that the university 'scrupulously complies with the law.'
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump threatens to cut off New York City funds if Mamdani ‘doesn't behave'
Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to cut New York City off from federal funds if favored mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, 'doesn't behave himself' should he be elected. Mamdani, meanwhile, denied that he was – as the president said – a communist. But he reaffirmed his commitment to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers while saying: 'I don't think that we should have billionaires.' In an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump argued that a Mamdani victory was 'inconceivable' because he perceived the candidate to be 'a pure communist'. He added: 'Let's say this – if he does get in, I'm going to be president, and he's going to have to do the right thing, or they're not getting any money. He's got to do the right thing or they're not getting any money.' Related: A roadmap to beat Trump? How rise of Zohran Mamdani is dividing Democrats More than $100bn flows to the city from the federal government through different entities and programs, according to the city's comptroller last year. Speaking Sunday with NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Mamdani said, 'no, I am not' a communist. He also said that he had 'already had to start to get used to the fact that the president will talk about how I look, how I sound, where I'm from, who I am – ultimately because he wants to distract from what I'm fighting for'. Mamdani said he was inspired by the US civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr, who once remarked: 'Call it democracy or call it democratic socialism. There has to be a better distribution of wealth for all of God's children in this country.' He then reiterated his intent to raise taxes on New York's wealthiest as part of a campaign pledge 'to shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods'. 'I don't think that we should have billionaires because, frankly, it is so much money in a moment of such inequality – and ultimately what we need more of is equality across our city and across our state and across our country,' Mamdani said. 'And I look forward to work with everyone, including billionaires, to make a city that is fairer for all of them.' Mamdani said the proposal reflected 'a description of what we see right now'. 'It's not driven by race,' he said. 'It's more of an assessment of what neighborhoods are being undertaxed versus overtaxed. 'It is not to work backwards from a racial assessment of neighborhoods or our city. Rather, it's to ensure that we actually have an equal playing field.' Many New Yorkers and moderate Democratic politicians have expressed concern over Mamdani's win over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the 24 June primary for the Democratic nomination. Among those to endorse him was progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But he has not been endorsed by many other prominent Democratic party figures, including the New York governor, Kathy Hochul, who said coolly after his win: 'Obviously, there's areas of difference in our positions, but I also think we need to have those conversations.' Mamdani said on Sunday that he was looking forward to discussions with Hochul, saying: 'Ultimately, my policies, my vision, it's driven by an assessment of what's actually happening.' Asked if he thought moderate Democrats were afraid of him, Mamdani said: 'I think that people are catching up to this election. 'Ultimately what we're showing is that by putting working people first, by returning to the roots of the Democratic party, we actually have a path out of this moment where we're facing authoritarianism in Washington DC' under the Trump administration. In his comments on Mamdani's having secured the Democrats' nomination in the heavily Democratic city, Trump said: 'It's shocking.' Related: 'It's very concerning': conservatives react to Zohran Mamdani's New York primary showing 'I used to say we will never have a socialist in this country,' the president said, in part. Asked about Mamdani's proposals to oppose his administration's immigration crackdown and to arrest Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he sets foot in New York, Trump said the mayoral candidate would 'be very unsuccessful' on both counts. 'He's a radical left lunatic,' Trump said. Mamdani, for his part, said Democrats 'need to be a party that's not just against Donald Trump – but also for something'. 'And our campaign was for working people, bringing dignity back into those lives,' Mamdani said.
Miami Herald
26-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Fed Chair Powell sends surprise message on interest rate cuts to Congress
Don't refinance your mortgage just yet. Rumblings from several Federal Reserve Board governors this week indicated support for an interest rate cut next month. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter That's if the expected tariff inflation is less than forecast and the labor market doesn't weaken. Related: Fed's Powell brings blunt message to Congress on interest rates this week Fed Chair Jerome Powell is testifying on Capitol Hill this week, days after the June meeting kept the Federal Funds Rate at 4.25% to $4.50% Powell repeated his assertion about tariff inflation's potential impact on the supply chain during testimony on June 24 before the House Committee on Financial Services. But he also sounded a tad, well, different, as to when rates might fall again. At the time of the June meeting, Powell said the post-pandemic economy was resilient and stable, but the risk of tariff inflation on prices on the nation's supply chain prompted a "wait-and-see" prudent approach to holding rates steady. This disappointed many Americans, including President Donald Trump, who has been slamming Powell with a vast variety of vile vindictiveness for keeping interest rates steady for all of 2025 thus far. On the fiscal policy side of the U.S. economy, market experts are watching President Trump's trade wars, the tax bill, immigration policies, and the Middle East conflict. So are monetary policy makers. However, the Federal Reserve's dual mandate rules their actions. Related: Fed official makes surprising interest rate cut prediction The Fed's dual mandate is to prudently monitor monetary policy to maintain inflation (at about 2%) and unemployment relatively low to keep the recession-free economy and its GDP humming along. The Federal Open Meeting Committee controls the Federal Funds Rate, which banks charge each other overnight to borrow money. The funds rate is tied to the cost of borrowing money for consumers, investors and businesses. It's everything from your credit-card bill or car loan to 10-year Treasury bonds. Fed watchers say tariff inflation data over the next 30-60 days will indicate whether the Fed will approve two, or maybe one, rate cuts of 0.25% each this year during late 2025. Trump, en route to the NATO meetings, re-hashed his displeasure over the steady interest rates, claiming they are costing the country up to $1 trillion. Both Fed and market watchers had forecast that the next probable rate cut could appear at the central bank's September FOMC meeting. Then in the last few days, Fed Governors Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman, both Trump appointees, said – with inflation healthy and as long as employment is stable – a funds rate cut could come as early as the Fed's July meeting. Stephen (Steven) Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary in the first Trump Administration, told CNBC that he expected the Fed to cut rates by 0.75% to 1 % over the next year. This is inline with most market expectations and the Fed's own "dot plot" chart through the end of 2026. Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta President Raphael Bostic disagreed. He told Reuters "we have some space and time'' to learn from the tariff inflation as it ripples through the United States. He also said he expects a single 0.25% rate cut later in 2025. The widely watched CME FedWatch tool puts the likelihood of a July cut in the Federal Funds Rate at 18.8% June 24, down from 22.7% June 23. At the time of the June meeting, Powell said the post-pandemic economy was resilient and stable, but the risk of tariff inflation on prices on the nation's supply chain prompted a "wait-and-see" approach to holding rates steady. Trump's proposed tariffs – essentially an external sales tax to U.S. trading partners that we pay one way or another – face a July 9 deadline. In prepared remarks to the House panel, Powell said despite elevated uncertainty, the economy is in a solid position and there was no hurry for rate cuts. "The unemployment rate remains low, and the labor market is at or near maximum employment. Inflation has come down a great deal but has been running somewhat above our 2 percent longer-run objective," according to the testimony. Then the House panel peppered the Fed chair with questions ranging from impacts on pecan growers in Georgia to the housing industry across America to worried longshore workers. The consensus? Lower interest rates the sooner the better for consumers and businesses back home in their districts as well as all Americans. Powell remained firm: The Federal Reserve "is well-positioned to learn more about price increases before changing interest rates." He repeatedly described the tariff inflation variable as a learning experience for the Fed. And then indicated, perhaps in a less hawkish manner, that interest rate cuts could come once inflation reports for "June and July" show what price increases and tariff pains are doing to "American families." More Federal Reserve: Fed interest rate cut decision resets forecasts for the rest of this yearFederal Reserve prepares strong message on long-term interest ratesFed official revamps interest-rate cut forecast for this year "I think that if it turns out that inflation pressures do remain contained, then we will get to a place where we cut rates sooner rather than later,'' he said in response to a question from U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). TheStreet Pro veteran trader Peter Tchir, in comments prior to Powell's testimony, wrote the "Fed is too worried about inflation and not worried enough about jobs. "The jobs data (as we've highlighted in recent reports), except the headline establishment survey number, has been mediocre to weak and heading in the wrong direction. "At the status quo on tariffs, there will be some inflationary pressure, but this bleeds in over time and won't be the "full" 10%. And any economic slowdown will also offset some pressures as spending slows." Powell presents the bi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress to the GOP-led Senate Banking Committee on June 25. Trump in recent months has threatened to install a "shadow" chair until Powell resigns or leaves in May 2026. In addition to musings that perhaps Trump might appoint himself (which he legally can't), Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also a recent frontrunner to join the Fed board. Powell has said he has no intention to resign early, which he repeated during the June 24 testimony when quizzed by multiple House members about Trump's barbs and threats. Related: Fed official predicts when to expect interest rate cuts The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Miami Herald
14-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Federal Reserve, White House interest-rate cut battle heats up
The post-pandemic inflation that's been squeezing your grocery and credit-card bills for years takes center stage in Washington in just days. That's when the Federal Reserve Board meets to consider interest rates, a gathering that the White House has been – to put it mildly – strongly trying to influence. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The Trump Administration wants the Fed to slash rates immediately by almost half after May inflation and job rates basically held steady despite fidgety action earlier this year. Trump and others say this is to keep the nation from sliding into a recession, or worse, stagflation. Related: CPI inflation report resets interest rate cut bets Many economists say the central bank can't ignore the potential impact to inflation from zigzagging U.S. tariffs in the next three to six months. Energy and oil prices are now considerations due to the latest Middle East conflict. Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell has been the target of President Trump's usual brash manner towards opponents. The president has taunted the chairman with a string of nasty names and other insults. The most recent invective: "Numbskull.'' Trump's ratcheting rhetoric includes allusions to installing a "shadow" Fed president until Powell leaves on or before his term expires in May 2026. Powell has been mum about his gig and the president's efforts to squeeze him out of hisThe Federal Reserve's dual mandate is to set monetary policy that keeps inflation and unemployment low at the same time. This is often at odds because high interest rates lower inflation but cut jobs. Lower interest rates decrease unemployment rates but increase inflation. The central bank's Federal Open Market Committee, meeting June 17-18, controls the Federal Funds Rate that banks charge each other overnight to borrow money. When that rate goes up, so do interest rates – the cost of borrowing money for us all. This impacts Treasury bond yields, crucial to determining how much banks charge for mortgage rates. The post-pandemic housing market is stalled again this spring because of higher mortgage rates, a crunch hurting first-time or lower-income buyers while many sellers, especially older Americans looking to downsize, are stuck in their nests. The current Federal Funds Rate is between 4.25% and 4.50%. Trump said he wants a cut of 2.0%, up from his earlier demand of 1.0 %, after the May Jobs and CPI reports were cooler than expected. This would add $600 billion back in the pockets of Americans, the president claimed. But not everybody's buying it. Related: Fed official revamps interest-rate cut forecast for rest of this year Economists and market analysts say the Federal Reserve is being prudent because the full depth and breadth of Trump's tariffs and trade deals' economic impact are uncertain. Raphael W. Bostic, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, said in a recent conference call with reporters that he's "very cautious about jumping to cuts at this point." Bank of America analysts, in a note to clients, said it was unlikely there would be additional cuts to the Federal Funds Rate in 2025 but added that 2026 looked promising. While market watchers expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 1% next year, the White House is maintaining that the cuts must come now. Related: Bank of America unveils surprising Fed interest rate forecast for 2026 Trump said a drop in interest rates, coupled with his "One Big Beautiful Bill" being chewed over by Congress, would boost the tepid economy. The lagging housing market would get an especially big boost. American consumers have embraced the tariffs with China, Mexico, Canada, and the trade wars, the Trump administration says. Not so fast, say economists, who maintain that tariff-driven lags could start to drag the prices of goods and services in 30 to 90 days as manufacturers and retailers pass the costs onto their customers. Powell is one of the few government officials the president can't fire or 'DOGE' from a job. Trump compensates by slamming Powell with derogatory nicknames like "Mr. Too Late" and a "Major Loser" for the Fed's cautious approach to a rate cut. The president is so ticked that he's threatened to install a "shadow president" to ride out Powell's remaining days. By nominating a new Fed head before Powell's term expires, the expectation is that Powell will resign. Multiple names have bubbled up for that role, with the latest being Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who's actually been on the same pipe as Trump stoking for a Powell exit. There's no comment from the Fed on the FOMC meeting or Powell on the president. Expectations are interest rates will remain the same in June after the FOMC meets. Central banks in China, Switzerland, the U.K., Japan and Brazil are also expected to decide on interest rates in the coming days. Related: Fed Chair hit with savage message on interest rates The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Al Jazeera
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Trump administration cuts another $450m in Harvard grants in escalating row
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has slashed another $450m in grants from Harvard University, amid an ongoing feud over anti-Semitism, presidential control and the limits of academic freedom. On Tuesday, a joint task force assembled under Trump accused Harvard, the country's oldest university, of perpetrating a 'long-standing policy and practice of discriminating on the basis of race'. 'Harvard's campus, once a symbol of academic prestige, has become a breeding ground for virtue signaling and discrimination. This is not leadership; it is cowardice. And it's not academic freedom; it's institutional disenfranchisement,' the task force said in a statement. 'By prioritizing appeasement over accountability, institutional leaders have forfeited the school's claim to taxpayer support.' The elimination of another $450m in grants came in addition to the more than $2.2bn in federal funds that were already suspended last week, the task force added. The feud between the president and Harvard – a prestigious Ivy League campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts – began in March, when Trump sought to impose new rules and regulations on top schools that had played host to pro-Palestinian protests over the last year. Trump has called such protests 'illegal' and accused participants of anti-Semitism. But student protest leaders have described their actions as a peaceful response to Israel's war in Gaza, which has elicited concerns about human rights abuses, including genocide. Columbia University was initially a centrepiece of the Trump administration's efforts. The New York City school had seen the first major Palestine solidarity encampment rise on its lawn, which served as a blueprint for similar protests around the world. It also saw a series of mass arrests in the aftermath. In March, one of Columbia's protest leaders, Mahmoud Khalil, was the first foreign student to be arrested and have his legal immigration status revoked under Trump's campaign to punish demonstrators. And when Trump threatened to yank $400m in grants and research contracts, the school agreed to submit to a list of demands to restore the funding. The demands included adopting a formal definition of anti-Semitism, beefing up campus security and putting one of its academic departments – focused on Middle East, African and South Asian studies – under the supervision of an outside authority. Free speech advocates called Columbia's concessions a capitulation to Trump, who they say has sought to erode academic freedom and silence viewpoints he disagrees with. On April 11, his administration issued another list of demands for Harvard that went even further. Under its terms, Harvard would have had to revamp its disciplinary system, eliminate its diversity initiatives and agree to an external audit of programmes deemed anti-Semitic. The demands also required Harvard to agree to 'structural and personnel changes' that would foster 'viewpoint diversity' – a term left ambiguous. But critics argued it was a means for Trump to impose his values and priorities on the school by shaping its hiring and admissions practices. Harvard has been at the centre of controversies surrounding its admissions in the past. In 2023, for instance, the Supreme Court ruled that Harvard's consideration of race in student admissions – through a process called affirmative action – violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. Tuesday's letter referenced that court decision in arguing that 'Harvard University has repeatedly failed to confront the pervasive race discrimination and anti-Semitic harassment plaguing its campus'. A pair of reports in April, created by Harvard University's own task forces, also found that there were cases of anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish violence on campus in the wake of Israel's war in Gaza, a divisive issue in US politics. Ultimately, on April 14, Harvard's president, Alan Garber, rejected the Trump administration's demands, arguing they were evidence of government overreach. '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,' Garber wrote in his response. But Trump has continued to pressure the campus, including by threatening to revoke its tax-exempt status. Democrats and other critics have warned that it would be illegal for the president to influence the decisions of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with regard to individual taxpayers, like the university. Under Trump, the Department of Homeland Security has also threatened to bar foreign students from enrolling at the university if Harvard did not hand over documents pertaining to the pro-Palestine protests. On Monday, Garber, Harvard's president, wrote a response to Trump's secretary of education, Linda McMahon, defending his campus's commitment to free speech while also addressing the spectre of anti-Semitism. 'We share common ground on a number of critical issues, including the importance of ending antisemitism and other bigotry on campus. Like you, I believe that Harvard must foster an academic environment that encourages freedom of thought and expression, and that we should embrace a multiplicity of viewpoints,' his letter read. But, he added, Harvard's efforts to create a more equitable learning environment were 'undermined and threatened' by the Trump administration's 'overreach'. 'Harvard will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear of unfounded retaliation by the federal government,' Garber said. 'I must refute your claim that Harvard is a partisan institution. It is neither Republican nor Democratic. It is not an arm of any other political party or movement. Nor will it ever be.'
