Evening Update: Columbia University extends talks with Gaza war protesters, averting another confrontation

Good evening, let’s start with today’s top stories:Campus officials said Columbia University would continue talks with pro-Palestinian protesters for another 48 hours, averting another confrontation between students and police, but the situation remains tense.University President Minouche Shafik had set a midnight deadline to reach an agreement on clearing an encampment of protesters on campus but the school extended negotiations, saying it was making “important progress.” Student protesters had committed to dismantling and removing a significant number of tents, the New York Ivy League university said in a statement. As of Wednesday, about 60 tents remained at the encampment, which appeared calm, with students going in and out – one girl holding a toothbrush.