Michelle Mark

Michelle Mark is a breaking news fellow for the International Business Times. She graduated from Columbia University's journalism school, and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alberta.

Eric Garner Update: NYPD Sergeant At Chokehold Death Charged, Placed On Modified Duty

New York Police Department Sgt. Kizzy Adonis faces a departmental charge for her failure to supervise during the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner.

Cuban Migrant Crisis: Mexico Navy Rescues 9 Adrift At Sea

The Cubans were found in "good health" and taken to the National Migration Institute, Mexican officials said Thursday.

Paul LePage Racism Update: Maine Governor Blasts Media For 'White Girls' Controversy, Ignoring Drug Issue

Maine Gov. Paul LePage said he had meant to say "Maine women" rather than "white girls" in his controversial comments Wednesday.

College Costs 2016: Wealthiest Schools Could Risk Tax-Exempt Status Under New Financial Aid Proposal

“Potentially billions of dollars are at stake, and that gets people’s attention.”

Islamic State Executes Mosul Teachers: ISIS Punishes Educators For Protesting Sharia Curriculum

The Islamic State group recently imposed its own curriculum on schools in Iraq's northeastern province of Nineveh.

Marijuana Legalization In Canada: Trudeau's Plan For Reform Will Hit Roadblocks From International Treaties

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party promised to legalize marijuana during the federal elections campaign last fall, but it won't be that easy.

Venezuelans Protest In Caracas Over Hugo Chavez Portraits In National Assembly

A video shows the new National Assembly president ordering workers to remove portraits of the late leader from the hall.

Cuban Migrant Crisis: First Flight Scheduled To El Salvador For Those Stranded In Costa Rica

Approximately 180 Cuban migrants will be airlifted on Costa Rica's test flight to El Salvador, where they will proceed to the U.S.

State Of The Union Address 2016: Muslim Mosque Leader Invited By Connecticut Congressman To Obama's Speech

House and Senate Democrats are urging fellow members to bring Muslim-American guests to President Obama's State of the Union address.

Was Oregon Ranchers Standoff Expected? ‘Anti-Government Militia Groups’ Growing, Law Center Says

There are 276 identified militia groups in the U.S., up 37 percent from 2014, a hate monitoring group says.

China Pollution: Beijing Officials Say Air Quality Improved In 2015, Experts Cite Weather Patterns

Beijing issued two red smog alerts in December, which indicate the greatest level of danger from air pollution.

US Domestic Extremism 2015: White Supremacists, Islamic Terror Caused Deadliest Year Since 1995, Report Says

At least 52 people were killed in the U.S. by domestic extremists, an Anti-Defamation League report says.

Detroit Public Schools Debt Payments Surge, Bankruptcy A Possibility For Education System

The city’s system must start paying $26 million per month and will run out of cash by the end of the school year.

What Is La Hoyada? Amid Venezuela Crisis, President Maduro To Announce Contingency Plan

President Nicolas Maduro told media he will announce a set of extraordinary economic measures Tuesday.

Will California’s Fair-Pay Law Eliminate The Gender Wage Gap?

The state’s Fair Pay Act, which took effect Friday, puts the burden of proof on the employer to pay equitable wages.

US Real Estate Attracting More Foreign Investment In 2016; New York City Remains Top Destination

New York is the top target market globally for foreign real estate investors, a new survey found.

Texas Open Carry Law Update: Businesses And Police Prepare For Unconcealed Handgun Legislation To Take Effect

The new open carry law for licensed handgun owners takes effect Jan. 1 and has police preparing for an uptick in 911 calls.

The End Of Unions? Upcoming Supreme Court Case Could Overturn Power To Collect Fees

A California case coming before the Supreme Court on Jan. 11 could overturn the power of labor unions to charge mandatory dues.

London New Year’s Eve 2016: The Best Events, Parties And Locations To Watch The Fireworks

London will be teeming with parties and events on New Year's Eve. Here's a few ideas for how to celebrate the end of 2015.

Who Is Brandi Weaver-Gates? Former Pennsylvania Beauty Queen Accused Of Faking Cancer To Appear In Court

A former beauty queen who allegedly lied about having cancer has been charged with theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

East China Sea Dispute: Armed Chinese Ship In Contested Japanese Waters Raises Tensions

Three vessels, including an armed former navy frigate, sailed within a 12-mile zone around islands Japan has claimed.

New York Restaurant Owners Try To Block Wage Increases For Tipped Workers

An industry group seeks a five-year delay on raises for tipped workers as it accommodates mandated hikes for other employees.

Obama Immigration Reform Update: Republican States File Petition Urging Supreme Court To Uphold Injunction

Republican-leaning states want the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold an injunction against the president's executive order.

Does Paul Ryan Have A 'Muslim Beard'? Amid Spending Bill Criticism, Republican House Speaker Fields Personal Attacks

Some Twitter users are speculating that Paul Ryan's new facial hair, combined with his work on a $1 trillion spending bill, signals an ideological shift.

Immigration Reform In Wisconsin: Republicans Push Bill Penalizing 'Sanctuary Cities'

Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing for a bill that critics say would curb the state's so-called "sanctuary cities" from protecting undocumented immigrants.