Barack and Michelle Obama will host three virtual graduation events to celebrate millions of students whose real-life graduations were cancelled as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement comes three weeks after a high school student in Los Angeles requested the former US president on Twitter, to give a speech to seniors graduating this year.
"In an unprecedented time, it would give us great comfort to hear your voice. We ask you to consider giving a national commencement speech to the class of 2020," says the now-viral tweet, from Lincoln Debenham
That tweet has now been liked more than 220,000 times, and retweeted more than 46,000 times.
In the US, May and June are the months when most colleges and universities hold their graduations, or commencements as they are known in North America. However, with schools closed and public ceremonies banned, many students are lamenting the loss of the much-venerated graduation ceremonies this year.
Luckily, considering their virtual graduation ceremony will now feature the Obamas, as well as a host of other celebrities, it is fair to say that this one might be pretty cool too.
Obama being Obama, not only heeded Debenham's plea (the hashtag #ObamaCommencement was trending, so that probably helped) but he pledged to host not one, but three graduation ceremonies.
"I’ve always loved joining commencements – the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice," Obama wrote on Twitter.
The first two events, to be held on May 16, will be in collaboration with the Lebron James Family Foundation and will focus on graduates of historically black colleges and high schools.
Then, on June 6, the Obamas will be joined by a star-studded line-up of prominent figures and celebrities for a host of graduation speeches and performances held in partnership with YouTube, called "Dear Class of 2020".
There will be speeches by former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai, political activist Malala Yousafzai and Lady Gaga, as well as a performance by K-pop band BTS.
There will also be special appearances by Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys, Kerry Washington, Chloe x Halle, Zendaya, and several YouTube stars.
People can watch the event on YouTube.
About RuPay
A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank
RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards
It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.
In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments
The name blends two words rupee and payment
Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
Federer's 19 grand slam titles
Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal
French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling
Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic
US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray
AS IT STANDS IN POOL A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
