Northeast
Columbia suspends students over anti-Israel event featuring speaker linked to terrorist organization
Columbia has suspended several students over an anti-Israel event last month that featured a speaker “known to support terrorism,” the university president announced Friday.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said in a statement that “a number of students have been suspended as the investigation continues” into a March 24 event that “took place at a campus residential facility” and “that the University had already barred, twice, from occurring.”
“It featured speakers who are known to support terrorism and promote violence. I want to state for the record that this event is an abhorrent breach of our values,” Shafik said.
The student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, reported that at least four students face disciplinary action in connection to the March 24 panel titled, “Resistance 101,” which featured Khaled Barakat among its speakers.
VIRAL COLUMBIA PROFESSOR WHO CALLED OUT CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM SAYS UNIVERSITY INVESTIGATING HIM IN ‘RETALIATION’
Pro-Palestine protesters demonstrate near Columbia University on Feb. 2, 2024 in New York City. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
An Israeli government document links Barakat to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a U.S. State Department designated foreign terrorist organization.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce on March 25 also called out Barakat’s link to the PFLP terrorist group, noting how he told Columbia students during a webinar that “friends at Hamas and Islamic Jihad” emphasized the importance of support on U.S. college campuses, adding that by contrast, “they don’t care what Biden says, what Kamala Harris says.”
In the aftermath, Columbia also “notified law enforcement, and we hired an outside investigation firm to uncover all the facts,” Shafik said Friday. “With their help, we identified organizers and participants and required them to cooperate with the investigation or face immediate discipline. We are still in the process of interviewing students, faculty, and other members of the community and gathering facts.”
“I realize that our campus has been deeply shaken by the war between Israel and Hamas, starting Oct. 7 with the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, and now unfolding as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Shafik said. “I did not become a university president to punish students. At the same time, actions like this on our campus must have consequences. That I would ever have to declare the following is in itself surprising, but I want to make clear that it is absolutely unacceptable for any member of this community to promote the use of terror or violence.”
It at least appears that Columbia University is increasingly laying down the law on antisemitism before Shafik is expected to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on April 17 as part of the congressional probe into the surge of antisemitism at college campuses in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks carried out by Hamas on southern Israel. The presidents of Harvard, MIT and UPenn failed to directly condemn calls for intifada or the genocide of Jews on their campuses when they testified before Congress in December. The Harvard and UPenn presidents stepped down amid the controversy, although now-former Harvard president Claudine Gay resigned amid a separate plagiarism scandal.
NYPD officers clash with pro-Palestine protestors demonstrating near Columbia University on Feb. 2, 2024 in New York City. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Shai Davidai, a Jewish professor at Columbia who claims the university is investigating him as a form of retaliation for publicly condemning campus inaction on antisemitism in viral video, took to X on Monday to praise the four student suspensions following the event featuring Barakat.
COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GROWING A SPINE? UNIVERSITIES INCREASINGLY LAYING DOWN THE LAW AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
“That’s a good start, but not enough,” he wrote. “The pro-terror umbrella group that organized the event constitutes 94 different official student groups. ALL 94 heads of the organization should be given 24 hours to either denounce the umbrella group or be suspended from campus.”
Davidai shared a TV clip flagged by the Middle East Media Research Institute in which Barakat allegedly communicated that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement helps terrorists, that he openly supports terrorist organizations and that he receives money from terrorist organizations.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik is expected to testify before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on April 17. (Bing Guan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
One of the four students suspended and evicted from campus housing over the event featuring Barakat was the first speaker at a massive protest Thursday organized by the group Columbia University Apartheid Divest and Student Workers of Columbia–United Auto Workers, the Spectator reported.
The protest drew more than 100 demonstrators, according to the student newspaper.
The suspended student, who was not named in the report, complained about how she had lost her full-ride scholarship to Columbia to pursue a master’s in Middle Eastern studies.
“I left everything behind, my community, my partner, my work, my entire life based on Columbia’s promise of a full scholarship to pursue Palestine study,” she reportedly said. “Ironically, my mom was so happy when I was moving to the U.S. to study at Columbia. She believed I would finally be safe outside of Palestine. Columbia is not only a complicit institution, it is a violent institution.”
The suspensions come after Shafik vowed to take action in a Friday statement.
“We are in the process of identifying participants and they will face discipline under our policies,” Shafik said. “This university will only thrive if we can build a strong foundation of respect – both for each other and for our rules.”
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1893 wreck inspires current court case.
Carrie Jones
Apr 25, 2026
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Back in April 1893, the Delhi, a two-mastered schooner sank as it was leaving Somes Sound.
Last week, the state asked a judge for possession of that shipwreck, which is still beneath the water.
According to an 1893 edition of the Ellsworth American, the Delhi sank in 25 fathoms of water. “In beating out of the Sound, she struck a heavy cake of ice and foundered almost immediately, the crew having barely time to escape in their boat,” the short, paragraph-long report reads.
There were 32,000 Baltimore pavers on board that had been loaded by Campbell & Macomber of Quarryville.
Campbell & Macomber had a granite quarry in Mount Desert. At the time, its granite had been used to construct banks and libraries throughout the northeastern portion of the United States.
“In March 2024, JJM LLC filed a salvage rights claim to the ship in U.S. District Court of Maine in Bangor,” Marie Weidmayer of the Bangor Daily News wrote earlier this week. ”The company is seeking ownership rights to the wreckage, but the state challenged that claim, saying that federal law has established that unclaimed shipwrecks lying in state waters are the property of the state.”
The state, Weidmayer reported, hoped for a jury trial. However, Judge John Nivison will instead have a written opinion about the case.
No company has claimed the ship’s title, according to Assistant Attorney General Lauren Parker, Weidmayer reported. This, Parker argued, means the ship is abandoned.
“We are talking about a pile of stones underneath the pile of trash,” Weidmayer quoted JJM attorney Ben Ford as saying. “This is not a shipwreck in the sense that one might imagine a shipwreck to be. The Delhi is no longer there.”
Part of the issues are a dispute over how much of the boat exists; how much is not embedded in the floor; and whether or not it would require more than hand tools to remove.
“A JJM diver was able to pick up a granite paver by hand and return it to the surface in a basket, Ford said. There are definitely pavers on the surface of the ocean floor, but some may be under garbage that has accumulated on top of the wreck, he said,” Weidmayer wrote.
According to Weidmayer, the salvage company wants to recover pavers and artifacts, which it would donate to museums.
“The salvage firm filed suit in September against the National Park Service after the service determined the shipwreck is eligible for listing in the National Register. That lawsuit is still pending,” Weidmayer wrote.
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Wellesley Police discovered two children dead inside an Edgemoor Avenue home.
A police department in Vermont called Wellesley Police at around 9:30 p.m. Friday to ask them to conduct a well-being check at the home. When police performed that check, they found two deceased children inside the residence.
There was no further information immediately available Saturday morning.
The incident is under investigation by the Wellesley Police and the Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s office.
The DA says that “there is no risk to the community.”
This is a developing story.
New Hampshire
Between Concord And Portsmouth Is A New Hampshire State Park With Mountains, Beaches, And Incredible Views – AOL
For many travelers, the goal of a trip is to enjoy a relaxing, peaceful experience. While getting out in nature can help with that, you also want to consider the safety of the place you’re going. When it comes to safety, New Hampshire is one of your best bets. The pretty East Coast state is known as the safest in America — perfect for a stress-free vacation. There’s one state park, in particular, that promises a great mix of mountains, lake access, and beautiful scenery, all within a short drive of some attraction-filled cities. Pawtuckaway State Park spans over 5,500 acres and features a 700-foot beach, a fire tower, lots of wildlife sightings, and an array of trails. It also has a highly reviewed camping area, plus plenty of winter recreation opportunities. The adult day-use fee is around $5 at the time of writing, and you won’t have to go too far off the beaten path to experience everything the area has to offer.
Pawtuckaway State Park is located almost perfectly between Concord and Portsmouth. Thanks to the park’s relatively easy access to State Route 101, both cities can be reached in under 40 minutes with normal traffic conditions. For travelers located too far away to consider a road trip, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport is one of the most convenient entryways, at half an hour southwest. If you can’t find any good flight options here, try Boston Logan International Airport. It’s over double the distance, but you’ll be far more likely to book a direct line. Either way, public transportation options are virtually non-existent, so a rental is your best bet.
Read more: 5 Abandoned National Parks And Monuments That No Longer Exist
Pawtuckaway State Park’s mountain trails and fantastic scenery
view from a trail in Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire – Mike Mccauley/Google Reviews
One of the most notable aspects of the park is its access to the Pawtuckaway Mountains, a rocky range estimated to date back over 100 million years. Hiking and biking trails are scattered all over, many of which reward you with beautiful vistas at the top. The pathway through South Mountain and up to the fire tower is one of the most popular picks. You can also climb the tower for the unobstructed, 360-degree view of your surroundings. Just keep an eye out for wasps. The trail itself stretches over 5 miles, and hiking it can take up to three hours. Try to keep this map handy, as it makes it easy to find the paths, boundaries, gates, facilities, and more. Visitors describe the atmosphere as peaceful and colorful, and the trails as well-kept, well-marked, and easy enough to navigate, though they come in an array of difficulty levels.
If you can’t decide on which one to tackle first, see if you can spend a night at the park’s campground and space out your excursions. All sites are equipped with a picnic table, a fireplace, and a parking spot, not to mention you get access to running water, coin-operated showers, a vessel launch, and even a small shop. You can bring a pet along, but be warned that there aren’t any RV hookups and you’ll have to reserve your space beforehand. Campers often compliment the spaces’ size and lakefront scenery, and they also mention a generally private feel. Looking for a more well-rounded day trip option? Concord is an ideal spot. The picturesque New Hampshire city offers the ultimate blend of historic charm and nature.
Beaches, kayaking, and laid-back lake days in Pawtuckaway State Park
people sunbathing and swimming on a sandy beach in Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire – Milan BALAZ/Google Reviews
Water lovers who already know that New England’s most underrated, charming little coastline belongs to New Hampshire will be happy to learn that Pawtuckaway State Park offers its own version of a waterfront haven. Pawtuckaway Lake is a space where you can boat, kayak, and even sunbathe, thanks to its nearby family-friendly beach. The beach can get a bit busy, but it’s sandy, surrounded by trees, and equipped with a swimming spot. Floating accessories can be used, too, and there’s usually no lifeguard. Another important warning to keep in mind is that Pawtuckaway is one of the multiple New Hampshire lakes teeming with snakes, so it’s worth reading through this guide on what you should know before going swimming.
Kayaking, in particular, is a popular activity around here. You’ve got plenty of rental options nearby, but be prepared for some water traffic. Still, visitors say that it’s easy to make your way through the waters, and the prices are reasonable, not to mention that the overall atmosphere remains safe and relaxing. It’s one of the best ways to explore all the little islands scattered around the lake.
“Laid-back” is a term sometimes used to describe the whole park, and even if you don’t feel up for a kayaking session, you can always make the most out of the area’s lake access by fishing instead. Some common species you might come across include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, and perch. Just keep in mind that the use of lead-weighted hooks has been banned here since 2016. Moreover, anyone 16 years old or older needs to have a valid license, which you can obtain here.
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Read the original article on Islands.
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