May 10 Weekly News Quiz: Why did Columbia University cancel its main commencement ceremony?

Columbia University decided to cancel its main commencement ceremony scheduled for May 15, 2024, and instead opted for smaller, school-based ceremonies. This decision was made following weeks of pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted campus activities and raised security concerns. In consultation with student leaders, the university chose to focus on smaller graduations to ensure the safety and smooth running of these events, reflecting a cautious approach to managing the potential for further disruptions.

Sadiq Khan secured his third term with nearly 44% of the 2024 London mayoral election vote—significantly ahead of his closest competitor. This victory highlighted his continued popularity in London and marked a historical achievement since the mayoral position was created in 2000. Khan’s tenure has been characterized by his focus on inclusive policies, transport affordability, and environmental initiatives.

Brittney Griner’s memoir, Coming Home, was released in 2024. It includes a raw account of her 10-month detention in Russia, which began with her arrest at a Moscow airport in February 2022 for possessing cannabis oil. The memoir details her harsh experiences in detention and reflects on her emotional and psychological journey during and after her imprisonment. Griner’s release on Dec. 8, 2022, came through a high-profile prisoner swap on a tarmac in Abu Dhabi.

During their annual meeting on May 7, 2024, the Boy Scouts of America announced its official rebranding to Scouting America. This change, set to take effect on Feb. 8, 2025, symbolizes a shift towards inclusivity. The rebranding aims to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of scouting, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This decision follows years of evolving policies to include gay and female members.

Victorinox, the Swiss Army Knife maker, is developing an updated version of this iconic multi-tool that notably lacks a blade. This development is in response to increasing regulations and restrictions on carrying knives in various countries, driven by concerns about knife crime. The new bladeless Swiss Army Knives are designed to offer the same functionality and versatility without a blade, catering to markets where traditional pocket knives face legal restrictions.

Hugh Grant directed his criticism at Apple’s May 2024 advertisement for the iPad Pro, “Crush.” The advertisement featured various items symbolizing human creativity—such as pianos, books, and musical instruments—being crushed under a hydraulic press, only to be replaced by the iPad. This imagery led Grant to accuse Apple of “destroying the human experience.“

Steven Seagal was a notable guest at Vladimir Putin’s inauguration ceremony at the Kremlin on May 7, 2024. Seagal, a long-time Putin supporter and a Russian citizen since 2016, was among the event’s dignitaries and famous faces.

While Rod Stewart holds the record for the largest concert at Copacabana Beach with over 3.5 million attendees in 1994, Madonna’s May 4, 2024, concert attracted 1.6 million people, making it the second-largest for an English-speaking solo artist. This monumental event was the last stop of her “Celebration Tour,” making it the largest concert of her career – a massive free performance that filled the iconic Brazilian beach.

In 2024, Kendrick Lamar released a track titled “Euphoria” that directly targeted Drake, marking a significant point in their decade-long feud. The track was part of a series of responses criticizing Drake’s personal life, music, and public image. This song is part of a back-and-forth exchange of diss tracks that has characterized the rivalry between the two artists, making headlines and stirring controversy within the music industry. In early May 2024, a security guard was seriously wounded in a shooting outside Drake’s mansion in Toronto. Although the shooting coincided with the ongoing feud, police said it was too early to determine if the feud was directly related to the shooting.

Bernard Hill, famously known for his regal performance as King Théoden in “The Lord of the Rings,” also wore the captain’s uniform in James Cameron’s “Titanic,” released in 1997. Hill portrayed Captain Edward Smith, the stoic and seasoned mariner at the helm of the ill-fated RMS Titanic in this film. Hill passed away at 79 on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Mama Cass Elliot, famously a member of the Mamas and the Papas, died in 1974 at 32. Contrary to the popular myth that she choked on a ham sandwich, her death was caused by a heart attack, confirmed by an autopsy. Her daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, has worked to correct this misconception, explaining that the sandwich story was fabricated to prevent negative speculation about her mother’s death potentially being drug-related.