Columbia is one of several schools the administration has targeted with funding cuts over claims of antisemitism. Republican lawmakers in several states are also eyeing similar changes in higher education.

New York

Columbia University has reached a settlement with the Trump administration, agreeing to pay over $220 million after allegations that the university failed to adequately address anti-Semitism on campus. In return, the government will release some of the $400 million in federal grants that had been frozen. Additionally, Columbia will pay $21 million to settle investigations by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The university has denied any wrongdoing but acknowledged the need for reforms to address incidents affecting Jewish students and faculty. This settlement marks the first of its kind among several universities facing similar federal scrutiny, with broader implications for academic freedom and university governance.

The settlement has raised concerns among academic experts about the potential impact on academic freedom and institutional autonomy in higher education. Critics argue that the agreement may set a precedent for increased federal intervention in university affairs under the guise of addressing anti-Semitism, with ongoing legal challenges expected to further shape the landscape for higher education institutions.

What Columbia's settlement with Trump admin could mean for higher ed

Columbia University says it will pay more than $220 million settlement with the Trump administration. In exchange, the government has agreed to return some of the $400 million in federal grants it froze over claims the school failed to stop anti-Semitism on campus in the wake of protests against Israel's war in Gaza. Columbia says as part of the agreement, it will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. In a statement, the university denies any wrongdoing but says, quote, the institution's leaders have recognized repeatedly that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents and that reform was and is needed. Columbia is one of dozens of schools the Trump administration has targeted with funding cuts over claims of anti-Semitism but is the first to reach a settlement. Beyond Columbia and Harvard, Republican lawmakers are seeking similar changes in higher education in several states. For more on this, I want to bring in Jennifer Ruth. She is a professor of film studies at Portland State University and is also a member of the American Association of University Professors Committee on Academic Freedom. Jennifer, thank you for joining us. You have been a professor involved in the writing or editing of several books on higher education and academic freedom. First, just what do you make of the settlement? Well, it's extremely concerning and I'll tell you why. I mean, it's understandable that they're looking to settle as quickly as possible and restore some of the funding. But it continues a trend of gaslighting that began under the interim president, Katrina Armstrong, where the statement that Claire Shipman is making—who, by the way, we already see a huge loss of academic freedom in the fact that a board member was then appointed the acting president of Columbia now—but Claire Shipman is making a—sending out a public statement into campus community that they have managed to preserve academic freedom and control over hiring, et cetera. And so this is supposed to be a win-win. And as your segment just explained, and that there was reform that was already needed. This is a trend of gaslighting at an extraordinarily consequential moment for American democracy, when we have an administration, the Trump administration, that is treating all of the institutions that uphold democracy in America as if they were the deep state—the free press, the career civil service, and, of course, higher education. Higher education—this is an overt attack on higher education, using anti-Semitism, a real problem, but using it as a pretext to crush and control higher education. The idea that academic freedom is being preserved is laughable. I understand the catch-22 that Shipman and other higher education board members and presidents find themselves in, that if they acknowledge that there has been a huge loss to academic freedom, the ability to do our own investigations when there's complaints of discrimination, the ability to make sure that the federal civil service that is investigating discrimination is doing it in a way that's reasonable, and also controlling our hiring. There's a couple of aspects of the settlement that show that this is just not true, that academic freedom has been preserved. First of all, they can— So, Jennifer, what can universities do to protect their academic freedoms? So, I think that there's no way around the fact that we're in a catch-22. If higher education institutions acknowledge that there's a loss of academic freedom in the settlements that they are agreeing to, then they risk being under further attack and the settlement not being allowed. So, it is a catch-22, but at the heart of higher education is, of course, the pursuit of truth and the lack of candor and the gaslighting is very obvious to everyone, the general public, the campus communities. And so, the loss of legitimacy and the way that these are being presented, I think that what the American Association of University Professors is doing in terms of suing the Trump administration—the AAUP v. Rubio has already shown the way that the Trump administration has been using things like Canary Mission to find students to deport. All of those kinds of illegitimate tactics have to be exposed in court. So, the AAUP also brought a lawsuit against the Trump administration's treatment of Harvard, which then the judge combined that with Harvard's lawsuit. I think there's no way out but through the lawsuits that Harvard—Harvard, too, is appeasing in all kinds of ways, but nonetheless, through the court system, some of the illegitimate tactics that are being used to try to control and bring higher ed will be exposed. All right, Professor Jennifer Rood, thank you. Thank you.

Typhoon Co-May has left a trail of destruction across the Philippines, making landfall in the country's northwestern region. Torrential rains and strong winds have battered towns and cities, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. At least 25 people have been reported dead.

Pangasinan

Philippines hit hard by Typhoon Co-May, dozens killed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump appeared on Friday to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations with Palestinian militant group Hamas, a day after withdrawing their delegations from talks.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu, Trump appear to abandon Gaza ceasefire negotiations

U.S. President Donald Trump is spending five days in Scotland visiting his luxury golf resorts. While the White House touts the economic impact, some locals say the developments have scarred the land and stirred controversy.

Edinburgh

Trump visits Scotland to tour golf courses amid protests

The U.S. Department of Justice is set to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's convicted accomplice, amid mounting political pressure on President Donald Trump over his administration's handling of the Epstein case.

Washington

Ghislaine Maxwell to meet with U.S. Justice Dept. amid Epstein probe

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday (July 25) as their worst fighting in over a decade intensified and spread to new areas, despite international calls for a ceasefire.

Bangkok

Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan drew angry rebukes from Israel and the United States.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a draft bill to restore the independence of anti-corruption agencies, following nationwide protests and EU concerns over recent reforms that threatened their autonomy.

Ukraine Invasion

Zelensky approves anti-corruption bill after protests

Chinese and European Union leaders have met in Beijing for their first in-person summit since 2023, addressing a range of contentious issues amidst growing trade tensions. The talks, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU officials Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, highlighted the complex nature of China-EU relations.

Beijing

China-EU summit ends in climate deal, talks strain over Ukraine

The United Kingdom and India have signed a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky, cars and spices and allow more market access for businesses. British PM Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a “landmark moment” for both countries.

London

Global Tariffs

UK, India sign free trade agreement during Modi visit

President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell had a disagreement almost immediately as the two men set foot in the Fed's headquarters in Washington to survey an extensive renovation project on two of the reserve's buildings. Nancy Cordes has more.

Trump, Powell clash during tour of Federal Reserve renovations

Hulk Hogan, the legendary professional wrestler whose real name was Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71, according to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Clearwater

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dead at the age of 71, WWE says

At least 12 were killed as a Thai-Cambodian border dispute escalated into deadly clashes on Thursday (July 24).

Surin

Thailand bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates

According to preliminary data, 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members were on board.

Tynda

Passenger plane crashes in Russia, killing all 49 people on board

Pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died, World Wrestling Entertainment said in a statement on social media. He was 71. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Hulk Hogan dies at 71, WWE says

The Wall Street Journal reports that former Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appeared in the Epstein files. The White House denies wrongdoing.

Report: Trump was briefed on mentions in Epstein files

Columbia University will pay $200 million to resolve federal claims it failed to stop harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. The Trump administration had suspended the school's access to $400 million in funding.

Columbia settles for $200 million over antisemitism claims

Israel issued a statement indicating that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the Gaza negotiating team to return to Israel for ceasefire talks. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Israel brings back Gaza negotiating team for ceasefire 'consultations'

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students “questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,” and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to “civil discourse.”

Columbia University to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump

There are several developments in the cases involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant in ICE custody whom the Trump administration wrongly deported. CBS News' Katrina Kaufman reports.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia to remain detained following new court orders

Dr. Salvador Plasencia admitted to distributing ketamine to actor Matthew Perry before his 2023 overdose. He is the fourth person to plead guilty in the case and faces up to 40 years in prison.

Los Angeles

Doctor pleads guilty in Matthew Perry death case

While both sides acknowledged progress on humanitarian issues, talks on a full ceasefire remain stalled. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called for "result-oriented negotiations" to end the devastating war.

Istanbul

Russia and Ukraine conclude third round of peace talks in Istanbul

A passenger plane has crashed in southeastern Russia with up to 49 people onboard. Emergency services say the An-24 aircraft took off from the city of Khabarovsk and was heading to the town of Tynda. Wreckage was found on a mountainside around 15 kilometres from the flight's intended destination.

Russian passenger plane with 49 on board crashes

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests and rare rebukes from European allies.

Kyiv

Zelenskiy to protect anti-corruption agencies, bows to protests

U.S. President Donald Trump's name is among the many appearing in the Epstein files, according to the Wall Street Journal, and he was told as much earlier this year by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump calls reports he knew his name is in Epstein files ‘fake news’

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, the doctor accused of supplying Matthew Perry with ketamine in the month leading up to his death, has pleaded guilty to four counts  of distribution of ketamine. Plasencia is the fourth of the five people charged in connection with Perry's death to plead guilty.

California

Doctor accused of supplying ketamine to Matthew Perry pleads guilty

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners following the latest round of talks in Istanbul. The swap, involving dozens of soldiers — some severely wounded and held since the war’s start in 2022 — took place on Wednesday night. While the prisoner exchange marks a rare point of agreement, both delegations remain divided on ceasefire terms.

Ukraine-Russia talks: Delegations remain divided on ceasefire terms

After reviewing the Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump his name appears alongside many others, according to a new report in the Wall Street Journal. CNN’s Paula Reid details what we know.

DOJ told Trump his name is among many in Epstein files: Sources

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill reducing the autonomy of two Ukrainian anti-corruption bureaus. Ukrainians protested in Lviv and Kyiv, concerned that the bill could lead to more corruption and threaten Ukraine’s chances of entering the European Union.

Ukrainians protest new anti-corruption law

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release as a second judge barred ICE from taking him into custody. CBS News legal reporter Katrina Kaufman has more.

Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release

A judge on Wednesday (July 23) sentenced Bryan Kohberger to four life sentences without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to the murders of four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Breakdown