Columbia Suspends over 65 Students Following Pro-Palestinian Protest in Library

 Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in a demonstration at Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, US, May 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in a demonstration at Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, US, May 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Columbia Suspends over 65 Students Following Pro-Palestinian Protest in Library

 Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in a demonstration at Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, US, May 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Pro-Palestinian protesters take part in a demonstration at Butler Library on the Columbia University campus in New York, US, May 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Columbia University has suspended dozens of students and barred alums and others who participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration inside the school’s main library earlier this week, a school spokesperson said Friday.

The Ivy League institution in Manhattan placed more than 65 students on interim suspension and barred 33 others, including those from affiliated institutions such as Barnard College, from setting foot on campus.

Interim suspension generally means that a student cannot come to campus, attend classes or participate in other university activities, according to Columbia's website. The university declined to say how long the disciplinary measures would be in place, saying only that the decisions are pending further investigation.

An undisclosed number of alums who also participated in the protest are also now prevented from entering school grounds, according to Columbia.

Roughly 80 people were arrested in connection with the Wednesday evening demonstration at the university's Butler Library. Most face trespassing charges, though some may also face disorderly conduct, police have said.

The mask-clad protesters pushed their way past campus security officers, raced into the building and hung Palestinian flags and other banners on bookshelves. Some protesters also scrawled phrases on library furniture and picture frames, including “Columbia will burn.”

New York City police in helmets and other protection broke up the demonstration at the request of university officials, who denounced the protests as an “outrageous” disruption for students studying and preparing for final exams.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said his office will be reviewing the visa status of those who participated in the library takeover for possible deportation.

The Trump administration has already pulled federal funding and detained international students at Columbia and other prestigious American universities over their handling of student protests against the war in Gaza.



Türkiye Nears Eurofighter Jet Purchase after UK, German Agreements

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and British Defense Secretary John Healey attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and British Defense Secretary John Healey attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
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Türkiye Nears Eurofighter Jet Purchase after UK, German Agreements

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and British Defense Secretary John Healey attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and British Defense Secretary John Healey attend a signing ceremony on the sidelines of the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya

Türkiye reached deals with NATO allies Britain and Germany on Wednesday that pave the way to acquiring dozens of Eurofighter Typhoon jets, which Ankara has sought to bolster defenses in an increasingly volatile region.

Britain signed a preliminary deal allowing Ankara to operate the jets while Germany approved delivery of 40 of them to Türkiye, which has relied on both foreign purchases and its own defense industry projects, including domestic jets, to ramp up deterrence.

Beyond the Eurofighters, Ankara is also in talks with Washington to purchase 40 F-16s, Reuters reported.

Israel's attacks on regional countries, including its 12-day conflict with Türkiye's neighbor Iran and more recent strikes on another neighbor Syria, have unnerved Ankara, prompting a push for rapid armament in order to counter any potential threats.

Türkiye has been in talks since 2023 to purchase 40 Eurofighter Typhoons, which are built by a consortium of Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain, represented by Airbus , BAE Systems and Leonardo.

Speaking at a signing ceremony with British Defense Secretary John Healey in Istanbul, Defense Minister Yasar Guler said the deal brought Türkiye "one step closer to a fully comprehensive agreement" on the jets, adding it would also strengthen NATO and Türkiye's aerial capabilities.

"We welcome this positive step toward our country joining the Eurofighter Typhoon club, and want to reiterate our mutual ambition to complete the necessary arrangements as soon as possible," he said.

Guler also told reporters that the composition of the planned acquisition was for 40 jets but that different options were being considered.