Good morning. This is Shades of the Day, bringing you different shades of perspective in news and culture so that you can see the big picture quickly.

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It’s Sunday, April 28 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s newsletter:

• The theory that China is funding the Columbia protests

• The debate over the drinking age

• 4 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

- Jeff (co-founder of Shades)

🏕️ Tent color conspiracy?

🏕️ Newsweek: Rep. Carlos Giménez says China might be funding the pro-Palestinian campus protests at Columbia. He cited uniform tent colors in campus encampments as a clue — the NYPD is looking into it.

🏕️ This Redditor on r/Conspiracy had a similar observation: The protests can't be “grassroots” if the participants have identical tents!

🏕️ But Forward wasn't so sure: The tent conspiracy theory lacks evidence. Protestors just bought the cheapest option available

🏕️ Wired agreed: No conspiracy here! Students are just picking budget-friendly options. Plus, there's actually a variety of tents on campus.

🍺 Lower the drinking age?

🍺 The drinking age should be lowered to 18, argues Odyssey. It doesn't make sense for people to be able to vote and serve in the military but not be able to have a drink.

🍺 The Daily Nebraskan agrees. Lowering the drinking age to 18 would help teach young adults how to drink responsibly

🍺 But an NYT Op says to leave the drinking age as is. Lowering it could lead to negative outcomes for young adults, such more unwanted pregnancies and increased criminal activity.

🍺 Vox agrees: Don't lower the drinking age. Keeping it at 21 literally saves lives. Drinking and driving has decreased since the drinking age was mandated in 1984.

🍺 And Footprints notes that some want to raise the drinking age. Alcohol can damage a developing brain, and our brains may not stop developing until we're 30!

4️⃣ Quick hits

🚗 Elon Musk makes a surprise visit to China, focusing on advancing self-driving car technology.

🚂 A train derailment in New Mexico involving propane cars prompted evacuations and a major interstate closure.

⚫ Robbi Mecus, a transgender forest ranger and climber, tragically died after a fall in Alaska's Denali National Park.

📺 “NCIS: Hawai'i”, led by Vanessa Lachey, was canceled after three seasons, sparking a fan petition for its return.