Tufts University student targeted by Trump administration completes PhD

Rümeysa Öztürk, who faced deportation over pro-Palestinian op-ed, travels back to Turkey to begin career Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Rümeysa Öztürk, the Tufts University student who was targeted by the Trump administration last year in response to co-writing a pro-Palestinian op-ed, completed her doctorate … Read more

Trump’s plan for triumphal arch moves step closer to reality

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday gave preliminary approval to President Donald Trump’s plan for a massive new triumphal arch monument in the nation’s capital, according to The New York Times. The outlet reported that the body holds an advisory role regarding the project’s design but does not wield enforcement authority. The Associated … Read more

Turkish grad student who co-authored anti-Israel op-ed at Tufts self-deports after legal battle with DHS

Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University medical graduate student from Turkey whose charges were dropped after DHS detained her for allegedly “[engaging] in activities in support of Hamas,” has self-deported to Turkey, according to sources familiar with the matter.  Ozturk self-deported from the U.S. late Thursday night on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey, according to sources … Read more

Obama urges Virginians to vote yes on redistricting measure that could give Democrats 4 more House seats

Former President Barack Obama is urging Virginians to vote in favor of a congressional redistricting ballot measure that if passed, could give Democrats a big boost in this year’s midterm elections. “By voting yes, you have the chance to do something important — not just for the Commonwealth, but for our entire country,” Obama said … Read more

Virginia Dems accused of illegally ‘steamrolling’ state law that could upend redistricting crusade

Virginia voters are set to decide a redistricting referendum Tuesday, even as a high-stakes legal challenge before the state’s Supreme Court argues the amendment should be invalidated because it was pushed through an unlawfully extended legislative session. The case centers on whether lawmakers violated the Virginia Constitution by keeping the special session open for nearly … Read more