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In the news today: The U.S. Senate is working to avert a partial government shutdown by the deadline of midnight on Friday; Columbia University has expelled some students and temporarily revoked the diplomas of others over pro-Palestinian protests; and the US and Israel look to Africa to resettle Palestinians from Gaza. Also, an Egyptian wrestler sets an unusual world record.

A story in Thursday's Morning Wire newsletter incorrectly referred to Sudzha, which is a key Ukrainian military hub, not Kursk’s biggest town.

Sen. Charles Schumer speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

POLITICS

Senate works to avert partial government shutdown ahead of midnight deadline

The Senate finds itself on Friday in a familiar position, working to avoid a partial government shutdown with just hours to spare as Democrats confront two painful options: allowing passage of a bill they believe gives President Donald Trump vast discretion on spending decisions or voting no and allowing funding for the government to lapse. Read more.

Why this matters:

• Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer gave members of his caucus days to vent their frustration about the options before them, but late Thursday made clear he will not allow a government shutdown.
  

• A procedural vote Friday will provide a first test of whether the package has the 60 votes needed to advance, ahead of final voting likely later in the day. At least eight Democrats will need to join with Republicans to move the funding package forward.
  
  

• The legislation would fund the federal government through the end of September. It would trim non-defense spending by about $13 billion from the previous year and increase defense spending by about $6 billion, which are marginal changes when talking about a topline spending level of nearly $1.7 trillion.

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U.S. NEWS

Columbia University says it expelled some students who seized building last year

Columbia University has expelled or suspended some students who took over a campus building during pro-Palestinian protests last spring and temporarily revoked the diplomas of others who have since graduated, officials said Thursday. Read more.

Why this matters:

• The Trump administration has stripped the university of more than $400 million in federal funds over what it calls a failure to combat campus antisemitism. 
  
  

• House Republicans have demanded university administrators turn over disciplinary records of students involved in campus protests or risk billions of dollars in federal funding. On Thursday, Palestinian campus activist Mahmoud Khalil and seven students identified by pseudonyms filed a lawsuit seeking to block a Congressional committee from obtaining such records. The plaintiffs argue that the committee is abusing its power in an attempt “to chill and suppress speech and association based on the viewpoint expressed” and the investigation “threatens to significantly infringe on First Amendment rights.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• Some student loan repayment plans have been suspended. Here’s what borrowers should know
  
  
• Some universities are freezing hiring as Trump threatens federal funding
  
  
• Democratic-led states sue to block Education Department layoffs

WORLD NEWS

US and Israel look to Africa for resettling Palestinians uprooted from Gaza

The U.S. and Israel have reached out to officials of three East African governments to discuss using their territories as potential destinations for resettling Palestinians uprooted from the Gaza Strip under President Donald Trump’s proposed postwar plan, American and Israeli officials say. Read more.

What to know:

• The contacts with Sudan, Somalia and the breakaway region of Somalia known as Somaliland reflect the determination by the U.S. and Israel to press ahead with a widely condemned plan that raises serious legal and moral issues. Because all three places are poor, and in some cases wracked by violence, the proposal also casts doubt on Trump’s stated goal of resettling Gaza’s Palestinians in a “beautiful area.”
  
  

• Speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a secret diplomatic initiative, U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed the contacts with Somalia and Somaliland, while the Americans confirmed Sudan as well. Officials from Sudan said they have rejected overtures from the U.S., while officials from Somalia and Somaliland told The Associated Press that they were not aware of any contacts.
  
  

• Palestinians in Gaza have rejected the proposal and dismiss Israeli claims that the departures would be voluntary. Arab nations have expressed vehement opposition and offered an alternative reconstruction plan that would leave the Palestinians in place. Rights groups have said forcing or pressuring the Palestinians to leave could be a potential war crime. Still, the White House says Trump “stands by his vision.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤

• UN: Sudan war is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis
  
  
• UN report accuses Israel of sexual violence against Palestinians. Netanyahu claims anti-Israel bias
  
  
• China, Russia and Iran call for end to US sanctions on Iran and the restart of nuclear talks

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