Former United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday lauded Harvard University for resisting the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $2.3 billion in federal funding after the institution rejected a series of White House demands. Calling Harvard’s stance a beacon for other colleges, Obama praised its commitment to academic freedom amid intensifying political pressure.

Harvard President Alan Garber firmly rebuffed the administration’s conditions, which included overhauling admissions to prioritize “merit-based” criteria, curbing student activism, auditing diversity initiatives, and derecognizing certain student groups. The demands also called for banning face coverings—viewed as targeting pro-Palestinian protesters—and dismantling the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which the government criticized as fostering “simplistic racial stereotypes.”

“Harvard’s rejection of this heavy-handed attempt to undermine academic freedom sets a powerful example for higher education,” Obama wrote on X, commending the university for fostering “intellectual rigor, open debate, and mutual respect.”

The clash escalated after the Department of Education’s antisemitism task force accused Harvard of neglecting civil rights laws and fostering an “entitlement mindset” while failing to protect Jewish students amid campus disruptions.

The White House argued that elite universities, flush with federal funds, have tolerated unrest tied to pro-Palestinian protests since Israel’s war in Gaza began, with some demonstrations accused of endorsing Hamas—a group the US labels a terrorist organization following its October 7 attack on Israel.

Garber, in a defiant open letter, declared, “No government, regardless of party, has the right to dictate what private universities teach, who they admit or hire, or what research they pursue.” Hours later, the Trump administration froze $2.3 billion in funding, marking a dramatic escalation in its campaign to reshape higher education.

Harvard’s stand makes it the first major US university to openly challenge such federal directives, which also urged cooperation with immigration authorities and the withdrawal of support for student groups linked to violence or harassment. The university’s endowment, valued at over $50 billion, may cushion the financial blow, but the standoff signals deeper tensions over campus autonomy.

At least 21 people were killed and 83 others wounded in a Russian ballistic missile strike on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Sunday morning, in what has been described as one of the deadliest attacks on Ukraine this year. The strike hit a bustling area of the city, with victims found on the streets, in public transport, vehicles, and buildings, Ukrainian officials said.

The timing of the attack – on Palm Sunday, a significant Christian religious day – has added to the outrage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced the strike, calling for a strong international response and labeling it an act of terror.

“Only scoundrels can act like this. Taking the lives of ordinary people… on a day when people go to church: Palm Sunday,” Zelenskiy posted on social media, along with harrowing footage showing bodies lying on the street, a destroyed bus, and charred vehicles.

Civilian destruction called ‘deliberate’

Ukraine’s Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the missile strike deliberately targeted civilians during a religious feast day. “Deliberate destruction of civilians on an important church feast day,” Klymenko wrote. He confirmed that the victims included people on foot, traveling in public transport, in private vehicles, and inside buildings at the time of the impact.

The strike triggered an outpouring of grief and condemnation across Ukraine and the international community.

US envoy visit sparks fresh scrutiny

The missile attack came just two days after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, a special representative of former President Donald Trump, held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg as part of an effort to negotiate a peace deal. The timing of the Sumy strike has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials, with Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation, accusing Russia of “building diplomacy around strikes on civilians.”

“Russia is building all this so-called diplomacy… around strikes on civilians,” he posted on Telegram.

Zelenskiy reiterated his demand for stronger U.S. and European action, stating that missile strikes and aerial bombs cannot be stopped by talks alone. “Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war. Without pressure on the aggressor, peace is impossible,” he warned.

War continues despite ceasefire talk

The missile strike on Sumy underscores the ongoing intensity of the war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Russia currently occupies around 20% of Ukraine’s territory in the east and south. Although both nations agreed last month to avoid strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, Russia claimed on Saturday that Ukraine carried out five attacks on its energy facilities – calling it a violation of the U.S.-brokered moratorium.

Ukraine, however, maintains that it is Russia that has repeatedly breached the pause with continued drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian civilian areas.

China on Thursday, April 10, reiterated its commitment to promoting peace in the Ukraine conflict while cautioning against “irresponsible remarks” from relevant parties, in an apparent response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent allegations.

Zelensky had claimed on Wednesday that 155 Chinese citizens were fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, a statement that drew sharp rebuttals from both Beijing and Moscow.

During a regular news conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized China’s neutral position, stating, “I would like to reiterate that China is neither the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis nor a participating party. We are a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement.”

Without directly naming Zelensky, Lin urged all concerned parties to “correctly and soberly understand China’s role and refrain from making irresponsible statements.”

China, which has maintained a “no-limits” strategic partnership with Russia since early 2022, has positioned itself as a mediator in efforts to end the war, avoiding any direct criticism of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in February of that year.

Lin also reiterated Beijing’s official guidance to its citizens, urging them to avoid armed conflict zones and “refrain from participating in military actions on either side.”

Zelensky’s comments stemmed from reports of two Chinese nationals captured by Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops have been making gains. He alleged that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens through social media, with the knowledge of Chinese officials, and that Ukraine’s security services had compiled detailed lists including names, birth dates, and military unit assignments of these individuals.

Zelensky further suggested that Ukraine was investigating whether these recruits were acting under instructions from Beijing, labeling their involvement as Russia’s “second mistake” in the war—following what he and Western nations describe as the deployment of over 11,000 North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin, on the same day, dismissed Zelensky’s assertions that China was being drawn into the conflict.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, “This is not the case. China maintains a balanced position. China is our strategic partner, friend, and comrade.” Peskov argued that Moscow was not pulling Beijing into the fray and countered, “Zelenskyy is wrong.”

The backdrop to these exchanges is the deep ties between Russia and China, which were formalized days before President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This partnership has allowed both nations to coordinate closely on geopolitical issues, with China often acting as a counterbalance to Western influence.