Masked US officials detain Turkish PhD scholar over pro-Palestinian stance
Massachusetts: Turkish PhD scholar Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested outside her residence in Massachusetts on March 26 by masked US border security forces. Ozturk, a student at Tufts University, was reportedly detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while heading to an Iftar dinner.
Her detention is part of a broader crackdown under the Trump administration against pro-Palestinian activists. Ozturk, who previously completed her master’s at Columbia University as a Fulbright Scholar, co-authored a 2024 opinion essay in the Tufts student newspaper criticizing the university’s stance on Gaza and advocating for divestment from companies linked to Israel.
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA) has condemned what it termed the “abduction” of the scholar. Ozturk’s arrest follows a pattern of detentions, including those of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri. Her case has also been linked to Canary Mission, a pro-Israel website known for blacklisting pro-Palestinian students and activists.
Amid the US’ bid to curb pro-Palestinian voices, a Turkish PhD scholar was arrested outside her residence in Massachusetts on Wednesday, March 26, in the United States, by masked US border security forces.
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) March 27, 2025
The scholar has been identified as Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and… pic.twitter.com/iYXiGAJVno
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President Murmu nominates Harivansh to Rajya Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu has nominated Rajya Sabha's outgoing deputy chairman Harivansh as a member of the Council of States.
The tenure of Harivansh as a member of the Upper Houses ended on April 9.
He has been nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha after the vacancy was created following the retirement of former chief justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, the President is pleased to nominate Shri Harivansh to the Council of States to fill the vacancy caused due to retirement of one of the nominated member," an official notification of the government said.
Harivansh, 69, has completed his two terms as a member of the Rajya Sabha representing Bihar. He has also served as deputy chairman of the Upper House.
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