Mounting Pressure

Pro-Palestine protests reach a fever pitch. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( April 23, 2024 It's only Tuesday, but it's already a newsy week: We'll tell you about the spread of pro-Palestine demonstrations on college campuses, then examine [the opening statements in Trump's hush money trial](. We're also talking with the author of [a must-read book about Barbara Walters](, answering [burning questions about bowel movements](, and sharing [a big health update from Celine Dion](. Let's get started...   In the News [Pro-Palestine encampment at Columbia University]( Pro-Palestine protesters set up encampments at Columbia University. (Getty Images) Mounting Pressure College campuses across America are engulfed in protests as Israel’s military operation in Gaza becomes increasingly unpopular among students. Here’s the latest: Police arrested at least 45 pro-Palestinian protesters at Yale University on Monday, just hours after Columbia University announced that classes would be held virtually. More than 100 students from Columbia and neighboring Barnard College were arrested last week after they set up tents on both campuses. Similar encampments have spread elsewhere, including the University of Michigan and New York University. Harvard University partially closed off its Harvard Yard until Friday as a precaution. Fears for Jewish students' safety are rising, as antisemitism has soared since Oct. 7. But some pro-Palestine protesters are Jewish, and groups have pushed back against those (including President Biden) who've characterized some of them as antisemitic. “We firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry and stand vigilant against non-students attempting to disrupt the solidarity being forged among students," student organizers at Columbia said.   More Stories [Donald Trump appears for opening statements at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 22.]( Getty images Donald Trump was back in court on Monday for opening statements in his New York hush money trial. I spoke with Melissa Murray, NYU law professor and co-host of the podcast Strict Scrutiny, to get [an expert's take on what happened]( The U.S. State Department's annual human rights report cites allegations of "war crimes" on all sides in Gaza. This comes as a grave containing more than 300 bodies is uncovered in southern Gaza after the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold local laws that would allow an Oregon city to penalize homelessness. The city of Grants Pass argued that homelessness wasn't a protected status under the Eighth Amendment. A group of high-profile environmental organizations is speaking out against Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who they say would be "a disaster for our communities and the planet" if his presidential campaign succeeds. See the full letter [here](. Britain's Conservative government has passed a contentious bill that will allow asylum seekers to be deported to Rwanda. It's been decried as inhumane, unworkable, and legally dubious — but Prime Minister Rishi Suank's political fate [depends on its success.](   In Focus [Katie Couric and Barbara Walters]( Getty images/Simon & Schuster Barbara Walters was a trailblazing journalist who drew the blueprint for women in the industry — and there's tons of fascinating new information about her life in Susan Page's book, The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters, which is out today. We spoke to the author about [Walters' heated rivalry with Diane Sawyer](, the surprising reality of her final years, and the highlights of her unmatched career. [READ MORE](   Rewriting History I've always been interested in how history is recorded — and why so much of what we believe to be true is actually inaccurate. I explored the provenance of Confederate iconography for [an episode of my series America Inside Out](, and I was fascinated by [this piece from NPR]( about how much we can really trust "historical markers."   Must-Reads [Rolls of toilet paper over a yellow background]( Real Talk TikTok's favorite gastroenterologist answers all the questions you've had about bowel movements, but were too afraid to ask. [Read More »]( [Celine Dion singing]( Road to Recovery Celine Dion opens up about how she's treating her rare neurological disorder, including the details of her five-days-a-week therapy. [Read More »]( [Illustration of woman sitting with her head in her hands surrounded by symbols like a drained battery]( Take a Beat Strong feelings about current events are breaking up friendships and families. Liz Plank sounds off on how to preserve your mental health. [Read More »](   A Closer Look [Illustration of a doctor operating a large machine]( Getty Images We can all agree that we'd like our doctors to use the most cutting-edge technology when they're assessing our health — and today, inventive physicians are deploying artificial intelligence to revolutionize their work. We spoke to the chief technology and innovation officer at Medtronic about [a few procedures AI has]([already]([improved significantly](. [READ MORE]( [Sponsored by Medtronic](   Extra Credit [Mozzarella rice balls]( Photo by Jonathan Pushnik Say cheese: Bring the scenes from an Italian restaurant to your kitchen with the recipe for [Rocco DiSpirito's mozzarella rice balls](. Words of wisdom: Now that I'm a grandma, I'm soaking up all the knowledge I can from those who've been there — like these [tips about grandparenting from celebrities](. Multipurpose miracle: We appreciate any 2-for-1 product, which is why [this lip and cheek multi-stick]( is a new go-to in our beauty routine. Not only is it a great space-saver, but it's also formulated to adjust to your coloring based on your personal chemistry.   Cream of the Crop [an Apple watch, flowers, and perfume from Jo Malone]( Shutterstock From [the stemless wine glasses I love gifting]( to [a mug made for your favorite lady](, our carefully curated list of [this year's best Mother's Day presents]( is guaranteed to please any mom (or any mother figure in your life). [SEE MORE PICKS](   [Good Taste by Katie Couric Media]( Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community. If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. 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