Latest news with #ProPalestine

The National
43 minutes ago
- Politics
- The National
Harvard gets victory in court on Trump's ban on international student enrollment
In a major victory for Harvard University, a judge upheld a decision on Friday that blocks US President Donald Trump's order barring international students from enrolling. The Trump administration in May attempted to block Harvard's ability to enrol international students following a series of disagreements revolving around university autonomy. If the move by Mr Trump were successful, it would have been a significant blow to Harvard, with most estimates showing that about 25 per cent of the university's students coming from outside the US. Harvard has become a major target for Mr Trump, who has accused several universities of promoting liberal bias and anti-Semitism, with much of the tension between the administration and institutions rooted in the widespread pro-Palestine campus protests that erupted in the spring of last year. The White House has sought in particular to crack down on foreign students demonstrating in support of Palestine, and has also demanded that universities make changes to various policies that would bring them more in line with the administration's agenda. At the request of Mr Trump, later in May, the State Department rolled out a pilot programme directing US consulates and embassies to engage in " additional vetting" of social media accounts of international Harvard applicants seeking visas. The new policy targets students, professors and employees, as well as guest speakers at Harvard. Harvard has repeatedly objected to the various moves aimed at controlling university policy, but the Trump administration has shown no signs of backing down. The White House has also previously said that it intends on revoking Harvard's tax-exempt status. 'The government has long exempted universities from taxes in order to support their educational mission," a Harvard representative said in May. "The tax exemption means that more of every dollar can go towards scholarships for students, life-saving and life-enhancing medical research, and technological advancements that drive economic growth."


Al Jazeera
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Pro-Palestine activists spray red paint on military plane at UK airbase
NewsFeed Pro-Palestine activists spray red paint on military plane at UK airbase Pro-Palestine activists breached security at a UK airbase and vandalised a military plane, spraying red paint into its engine. The group Palestine Action says the UK is complicit in Israel's war on Gaza.


Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Pro-Palestine protesters 'break into Brize Norton and damage two military planes with red paint' in huge security breach
Pro-Palestine protesters have claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military planes in a shocking breach of security. Palestine Action said two of its activists infiltrated Britain's largest RAF base and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft before escaping without being caught. Shocking footage shared by the group this morning shows protesters storming across the RAF runway in Oxfordshire on electric scooters. The bodycam footage then shows them spraying red paint into the turbine engines of the air-to-air refuelling tankers which the RAF say are 'vital for enhancing the operational reach and flexibility of Britain's military air power'. Palestine Action claim to have used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray the paint, while they say they caused further damage with crowbars. The activists said they sprayed red paint across the runway and left a Palestine flag behind before fleeing the base undetected. The alleged protest will raise huge questions over security at the RAF base at a time when the world is teetering on the brink with war raging in the Middle East and state threats from both Russia and Iran. Brize Norton is the largest RAF base in the country with approximately 5,800 service members, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. Voyagers, described as a 'petrol station in the sky', can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are used to refuel fighter and compatible heavy aircraft. RAF Brize Norton hold a core fleet of nine voyagers, while five others are available for commercial use but can be recalled for military purposes. The RAF is reportedly planning to send Voyager aircraft to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. One of the Voyagers, which has a Union Jack on its tail, has previously been used to transport prime ministers and Royal Family members to engagements abroad. A Palestine Action spokesperson said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.'


The Independent
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Pro-Palestine activists ‘damage military aircraft at RAF base'
Pro-Palestine activists say they breached RAF Brize Norton on 20 June and damaged two military aircraft. Footage shared by Palestine Action shows two protesters spraying red paint into turbine engines with repurposed fire extinguishers and using crowbars for further damage. The group said their reason for targeting the base was its role in flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, which they claim support operations in Gaza. Palestine Action reported that the two activists "escaped undetected" after the incident. RAF Brize Norton has been contacted for comment. Watch the video in full above.


The Independent
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
RAF Brize Norton military planes damaged after activists on scooters break into base ahead of flights
Pro-Palestine activists have broken into the RAF Brize Norton air base and damaged two military aircrafts. Footage shared by Palestine Action on Friday (20 June) shows two protesters riding electric scooters towards the planes on the runway, where they then used 'repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the turbine engines'. Explaining the choice to target the base, the group said: 'Flights leave daily from the base to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. From Cyprus, British planes collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons to commit genocide in Gaza '. The two activists, who also used crowbars to inflict further damage, 'escaped undetected", the group said.