International Business Times

Commencement Speakers 2013: President Obama, Stephen Colbert, Arianna Huffington and Others Speak To New Grads [VIDEOS]

r.palmer — Sun, 19 May 2013 17:38:29 GMT

Some college commencement speeches, a few at least, reach such rarefied heights of rhetoric that the words reverberate long after the caps have been tossed.

Creighton University Professor Roger Brumback, Wife Mary Killed In Nebraska; Police Investigate Link To Thomas Hunter Murder

Thomas Barrabi — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:04:33 GMT

Police in Omaha, Neb., are investigating the possibility of a connection between the murders of a university professor and his wife and two other local homicides.

Roger and Mary Brumback, both aged 65, were killed in their home on Tuesday, CNN reports. Their bodies were discovered by police officers who were investigating a welfare call.

USC Minority Students Claim Racial Profiling After LAPD Breaks Up Graduation Party [VIDEO]

Zoe Mintz — Mon, 06 May 2013 18:25:21 GMT

A group of students from the University of Southern California claim they were targets of racial profiling.

The students, most of whom were black or Latino, say the Los Angeles Police Department broke up the party due to a noise complaint. But a similar party across the street, which touted a Caucasian crowd, was left alone, CBS LA reports.

Jamie Foxx Trayvon Martin Backlash: Actor's 'kNOw Justice' Shirt At MTV Awards Ignites Racist Tweets

a.tate — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:56:59 GMT

Photo: Tumblr Jamie Foxx at MTV Awards alongside his daughter and actress Kerry Washington (r)

Chinese Graduate Student May Have Been Poisoned By Roommate For A Ph.D Slot

s.song — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:58:02 GMT

If you thought kids attending Ivy League schools in the U.S. are competitive, wait until you read what they've done at top universities in China to get ahead.

On Monday, Huang Yang, a graduate student at Fudan University (a top school in Shanghai), died from poisoning. The police have initially confirmed Huang Yang’s roommate, who was only identified by his last name, Lin, as a suspect in the tragedy, which is possibly the result of competition for a Ph.D. slot.

States Drop GED: 40 States Look For Alternative As Test Price Set To Double, Go Digital In 2014

Zoe Mintz — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:02:18 GMT

Forty states are investigating an alternative to the GED.

The lack of loyalty toward the 71-year-old high school equivalency test lies in new changes the exam will have in January, when the price will double and only be offered on a computer compared to the traditional paper-based exam, AP reports.

4th Grade Boy's Note On Giving Up His Constitutional Rights Goes Viral [PHOTO]

Zoe Mintz — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:22:26 GMT

Dress Code Bans Leggings From Kenilworth Junior High School, Draws Criticism For Advancing 'Rape Culture'

Zoe Mintz — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:19:29 GMT

Thou shalt not wear skinny jeans.

So saith a new dress code at Kenilworth Junior High in Petaluma, Calif., KTVU reports.

On April 4, the school held an assembly for its female students telling them they were no longer allowed to wear yoga pants, leggings or tight jeans because it was distracting the boys.

Naperville, Ill., High Schools Considering Random Drug Testing After 'Rampant' Marijuana Use

Rebecka Schumann — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:54:38 GMT

After claims that marijuana use is out of control at two suburban Chicago high schools, Naperville, Ill., school district officials are now considering revising the schools' code to allow random drug testing.

Chengdu Mini-MBA Courses: Rich Chinese Parents Spend $10K To Send 7-Year-Old Children To Business School For Kids [VIDEO]

moranzhang — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:28:23 GMT

Photo: Chengdu Business Daily Such training has sparked concerns that it can lead to money worship.

Miranda Lambert Accused of Allegedly Making Violent Threats Over Real Estate to Oklahoma Woman, Melanie Peden

Rebecka Schumann — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:25:19 GMT

Talk about having a bad week.

Four days ago, rumors that country singer Miranda Lambert and her husband and fellow singer, Blake Shelton, were on the rocks were swirling the Web; now Lambert is being accused of making violent threats, The National Enquirer reported Thursday.

Debbie Gratz, California Preschool Teacher, Arrested For Drugging Toddlers' Cups With Sleeping Pills [VIDEO]

Zoe Mintz — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:26:43 GMT

A California preschool teacher needed some added help when it came to nap time.Debbie Gratz, 59, of Morgan Hill, Calif., was arrested Monday morning for crushing up sleeping pills and putting them in her students’ sippy cups, ABC 7 reports.

6th Grader Brings $20K To School: Student Has Backpack Full Of Money, Gives Cash Away To Students

n.deninno — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:37:46 GMT

While some sixth-graders run around with backpacks full of snacks, toys or even -- dare we say -- textbooks, one sixth-grader in Michigan sported a backpack full of money.

According to ABC affiliate WXYZ, police are investigating an odd incident that occurred at the Taylor School District in Taylor, Mich.: A 12-year-old girl brought a backpack full of $20,000 in cold, hard cash to school on Monday.

Shia LaBeouf Quits Broadway Production Of 'Orphans'

ebrown — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 04:16:17 GMT

It looks like Shia LaBeouf will not be making his Broadway debut anytime soon. The “Transformers” star announced on Wednesday that he was quitting an upcoming Broadway production of “Orphans,” directed by Daniel Sullivan and also starring Alec Baldwin. LaBeouf is reportedly quitting over “creative differences.”

Colorado College Advises Vomiting Or Urinating To Stop Rapists After Lawmakers Pass Gun Control Bills

casac8 — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 03:36:16 GMT

The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs Department of Public Safety has updated an online statement advising female students to consider a variety of unusual actions if they are attacked, including vomiting, urinating and claiming that they are menstruating.

Residents Of Chelyabinsk Sell Russian Meteorite Pieces On Classified Website Avito.Ru

j.heller — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 17:14:22 GMT

Hours after a 10-ton meteor exploded over Siberia on Friday, residents of the Russian city of Chelyabinsk had already begun to list meteorite pieces for sale on Avito.Ru, Russia’s leading website for classified ads.

Los Angeles Elementary School Teacher Arrested For Alleged Sexual Abuse Of 20 Students

sreeja.vn — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:27:50 GMT

Los Angeles police detectives Wednesday arrested an elementary school teacher for the alleged sexual abuse of 20 children and an adult, authorities said.

Robert Pimentel, 57, who taught at George de la Torre Jr. Elementary School in Wilmington, La., has been charged with eight counts of continuous sexual abuse and seven counts of lewd acts on a child. The charges cover the period between September 2011 and March 2012. Pimentel has been accused of touching the children inappropriately under and over their clothing, the Los Angeles Times reported, quoting court documents.

Escaped Grizzly Cub Roams Florida Neighborhood

Fionna Agomuoh — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:59:02 GMT

A pet grizzly cub escaped from its home in Naples, Fla., on Tuesday afternoon, and it has been seen roaming the area.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is searching for the 125-pound cub and warned that residents shouldn't approach the bear if they see it, as it may be traveling in search of food, according to ABC News.

Creationism In Louisiana Schools Challenged By 19-Year-Old Activist

r.palmer — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 23:21:30 GMT

A 19-year-old activist named Zack Kopplin is leading the charge against a Louisiana law that allows creationism to be taught in public schools.

Seven states in the U.S. have laws on the books that require students in public schools to “critically analyze key aspects of evolutionary theory,” according to the Discovery Institute, which is most famous for backing intelligent design, a pseudoscientific brand of creationism. Two states, including Louisiana, also have laws that allow teachers to bring in outside materials to critique subjects.

Beached Whale In NYC, Beast Not Expected To Survive, Experts Suggest It Was Hit By A Ship

Fionna Agomuoh — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:34:50 GMT

The 60-foot long finback whale that has beached itself along Breezy Point, Queens is not expected to survive.

The mammal was discovered Wednesday, apparently very sick, and bleeding from its mouth and tail. The animal is now being assessed and aided by responders and Breezy Point locals, but the incoming tide is hampeing their efforts, according to the AFP.

What is Founders Day? 5 Things To Know About This African-American Milestone

casac8 — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:23:20 GMT

Happy Founders Day! You may see this greeting online or hear it from one of your friends or relatives today, but it may leave you scratching your head as many people know very little about this important holiday.

This article will help you get acquainted with Founders Day, which celebrates an important milestone in African-American history.

Atheism Is On The Rise, And It’s Finally Paying Off

cjzara — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:54:45 GMT

American money may be inscribed with the words “In God We Trust,” but at least one group of young nonbelievers is happy to take it anyway.

An organization of student atheists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is on track to receive the largest grant ever awarded by an American university to a nontheistic student group. The landmark grant, totaling $69,000, marks a cultural shift in attitudes toward atheists and other nontheistic groups as religiosity continues to decline around the country.

US 17th In Global Education Ranking; Finland, South Korea Claim Top Spots

Gayathri — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 07:24:24 GMT

The U.S. was ranked 17^th in an assessment of the education systems of 50 countries, behind several Scandinavian and Asian nations, which claimed the top spots.

Finland and South Korea grabbed first and second places, respectively, in a global league table published by the education firm Pearson, while Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore ranked third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

The study, carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), combines international test results and data such as literacy rates and graduation rates between 2006 and 2010.

Back To Class In NYC, With Relocations And Evacuees

r.palmer — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 21:04:41 GMT

Kids across New York City have had an extra-long holiday from school after Hurricane Sandy plowed through the Northeast, and for some children, it's going to be slightly longer.

New York City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott sympathized with families impacted by Sandy in a letter on Monday.

Yoselyn Ortega, Nanny Charged in NYC Stabbing, Resented Employers Say Police

j.heller — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:08:23 GMT

Yoselyn Ortega, the 50-year-old nanny charged with murdering two children she cared for in their Upper West Side apartment last Thursday, told New York detectives that she resented her employers for always telling her what to do, reported the New York Times.