News briefs

Tribune News Service on Dec 9, 2025

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Columbia University, battered by Trump and divisive protests, needs more time to find new president

NEW YORK — Columbia University has extended the search process for its next president, as it looks to fill one of the toughest jobs in higher education that has seen frequent, high-profile departures amid pressure from the Trump administration and divisive campus protests.

School trustees had originally planned to name a new president as soon as possible, with that person taking office no later than Jan. 1.

“Given the importance of this decision, we will extend this process beyond the start of the new year to take the time to fully understand each candidate’s strengths and potential fit,” the chairs of the board of trustees and search committee wrote Monday.

A Columbia spokeswoman declined to comment further on the search. The university did not publicly set a new deadline. But the board did say the delay was not about a lack of qualified candidates.

—New York Daily News

Muslim group announces lawsuit after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis labels it a ‘terrorist organization’

MIAMI — Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Monday evening designating two Muslim groups as “foreign terrorist organizations.”

The executive order, which was posted on DeSantis’ social media accounts, states that the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Society of Muslim Brothers (Muslim Brotherhood) would be classified under Florida law as terrorist organizations, pointing to alleged connections to foreign extremist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

As a result of the order, Florida agencies including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Highway Patrol, are directed to “undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support,” DeSantis wrote on the social media platform, X.com.

DeSantis’ order went on to state that CAIR, which has a chapter in Florida, was designated in the early 2000s as an unindicted co-conspirator in a terrorism financing case involving the Holy Land Foundation, a defunct Muslim charity organization that was disbanded in 2001.

—Miami Herald

Cruise passenger was served 33 drinks, pepper sprayed and restrained before he died, lawsuit says

LOS ANGELES — A passenger who died on a Royal Caribbean cruise was doused with pepper spray and physically restrained by staff members after he was served 33 alcoholic drinks and became violent, according to a lawsuit the man's family filed against the company.

Video from aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruises ship showed Michael Virgil at times screaming, kicking at a door, shirtless and then being restrained on the ground.

According to a lawsuit filed against the cruise line in Florida last week, crew members had served Virgil at least 33 drinks before he died on an all-inclusive, four-day journey from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, last year.

"What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation — that should have never occurred — was handled," said Kevin Haynes, who is representing the family in the suit, in a statement.

—Los Angeles Times

Australia introduces social media ban for young people

SYDNEY — Australia has become the first country in the world to introduce a social media ban for children and young people under the age of 16. They are no longer allowed to have their own accounts on major social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube.

The companies had a year to introduce age verification measures, and violations will result in heavy fines. Messaging services such as WhatsApp, emails, online games and educational offerings are exempt.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government wants to protect young people from risks such as cyberbullying, problematic consumption and distressing content with the law that came into force Wednesday.

He says he also wants to give them back a "normal childhood" free from endless scrolling. Critics claim the the ban is disproportionate, and a legal challenge to it has already been filed with the Supreme Court.

—dpa