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US GOVERNMENT REVOKES VISAS OF 40 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OVER MINOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

In a surprising move, the US government has revoked the visas of 40 international students, leaving many shocked, anxious, and uncertain about their futures. The affected students, spread across over 50 universities, including Stanford, UCLA, Ohio State, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, report similar experiences: minor traffic violations, such as tickets or court appearances, led to their SEVIS records being terminated. One such student, Lisa from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was just weeks away from graduation when she received the email notifying her of her status change. “Initially thinking it was a mistake, I soon learned through online forums that many others were in the same situation,” she said. Although her offense was minor and involved no criminal conviction, the termination notice referred to a “criminal record.” Experts believe this action may be tied to broader immigration enforcement efforts under Donald Trump’s administration, especially following recent remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The sudden revocation of visas has left students scrambling to understand their rights and next steps. Students facing visa termination typically have only 15 days to leave the country or face deportation or future reentry bans. Many are now seeking advice from university officials, immigration lawyers, and advocacy groups to explore their options. The situation has sparked concerns about the impact on international students and the broader implications for US immigration policy. As the affected students navigate this uncertain situation, many are left wondering about their futures and the reasons behind the sudden revocation of their visas. The US government’s decision has raised questions about the fairness and consistency of immigration enforcement, particularly in cases involving minor infractions.

EU THREATENS RETALIATION AS TRUMP PREPARES TO UNVEIL MASSIVE TARIFFS; ALLIES BRACE FOR TRADE WAR

The European Union has warned it is prepared to strike back with a “strong plan” if the U.S. moves forward with sweeping tariff hikes, as President Donald Trump prepares to announce a radical trade policy overhaul on April 2 — a date he has dubbed “Liberation Day” for American industries. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, declared Tuesday that while the EU seeks to avoid escalation, it will not hesitate to retaliate against U.S. measures targeting steel, aluminum, cars, and other imports. “Europe has not started this confrontation. We do not necessarily want to retaliate, but if it is necessary, we have a strong plan to retaliate and we will use it,” von der Leyen said in a speech, emphasizing the bloc’s readiness to deploy countermeasures. The EU previously imposed tariffs on €26 billion ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods, including bourbon, motorcycles, and boats, in response to earlier steel and aluminum levies. Von der Leyen also hinted at leveraging the EU’s regulatory power, noting its history of fining major U.S. tech firms, a practice Trump has criticized as “overseas extortion.” Trump’s upcoming announcement, teased by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday, is expected to outline reciprocal tariffs designed to match trading partners’ duties “dollar for dollar.” The president has singled out allies like South Korea, accusing it of imposing tariffs “four times higher” than U.S. rates despite receiving military support. “We will approach these negotiations from a position of strength,” von der Leyen said, highlighting the $1.5 trillion annual trade volume between the U.S. and EU and the 1 million American jobs tied to transatlantic commerce. The escalating standoff has drawn global pushback. China, Japan, and South Korea agreed during weekend talks to coordinate retaliatory measures, according to Chinese state media. China has already imposed 15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products like wheat and cotton, responding to Trump’s 20% duties on its exports. Canada also warned of retaliation, with Prime Minister Mark Carney stating Friday that tariffs on U.S. goods would be enacted if Trump proceeds. Despite tensions, Carney described a call with Trump as “extremely productive,” signaling a tonal shift from prior U.S.-Canada friction under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The EU remains the largest buyer of U.S. goods, importing pharmaceuticals, cars, and telecommunications equipment, while America is the top destination for European exports. Von der Leyen stressed the interdependence of the economies but reiterated that “all instruments are on the table” to protect European interests. As Trump’s deadline looms, the world braces for a trade war with no clear off-ramp.

MASSIVE LAYOFFS AND RESTRUCTURING AT U.S. HEALTH DEPARTMENT SPARK OUTCRY OVER PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS

Employees across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began receiving dismissal notices Tuesday as part of a sweeping overhaul expected to eliminate up to 10,000 jobs, days after President Donald Trump revoked collective bargaining rights for workers at HHS and other federal agencies. The cuts coincide with the first day of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where four institute directors were placed on administrative leave and nearly all communications staff were terminated, according to an anonymous senior agency leader. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled the restructuring plan last week, aiming to consolidate agencies managing addiction services and community health funding under a new office, the Administration for a Healthy America. The layoffs and voluntary departures will reduce HHS staffing from 82,000 to 62,000—a 24% reduction. Kennedy criticized the department as a “sprawling bureaucracy” with a $1.7 trillion annual budget that “has failed to improve the health of Americans,” vowing in a Thursday video to “do more with less.” Specific cuts include 3,500 positions at the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,200 at NIH, and 300 at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. An email obtained by The Associated Press revealed senior NIH employees in Bethesda, Maryland, were offered transfers to the Indian Health Service in Alaska and given until Wednesday to respond. Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington warned the cuts would endanger lives during disease outbreaks or disasters. “They may as well be renaming it the Department of Disease because their plan is putting lives in serious jeopardy,” she said Friday. The layoffs follow HHS’s withdrawal of $11 billion in COVID-19 funds, forcing state and local health departments to slash hundreds of jobs, according to Lori Tremmel Freeman of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Union representatives confirmed 8,000–10,000 terminations targeting roles in HR, procurement, finance, IT, and “high cost regions.” Trump’s Thursday executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for many federal workers drew sharp rebukes. Reps. Gerald Connolly and Bobby Scott (D-VA) called the move a “brazen attempt to strip protections” that would “give Elon Musk more power to dismantle the people’s government with as little resistance as possible.” CDC employees in Atlanta had recently unionized, with 2,000 joining the American Federation of Government Employees and hundreds more pending. The administration’s restructuring has intensified fears over the government’s capacity to address health crises, with critics arguing the cuts undermine critical services during ongoing measles outbreaks and pandemic recovery efforts.

TRUMP DECLARES ‘LIBERATION DAY’ WITH NEW TARIFFS AMID ECONOMIC CONCERNS AND GLOBAL BACKLASH

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday as “Liberation Day,” marking the rollout of new tariffs he claims will free the U.S. from reliance on foreign goods. The plan, criticized by economists as a risk to household budgets and global economic stability, includes import taxes on autos, pharmaceuticals, copper, lumber, and goods from countries like China, Canada, and Mexico. Trump framed the tariffs as a corrective to decades of unfair trade practices, alleging foreign nations have “taken so much out of our country.” He invited CEOs to the White House to highlight investments in U.S. projects aimed at circumventing import taxes. “This is the beginning of Liberation Day in America,” Trump told reporters, adding he is “open” to deals if other nations “get something for it.” The 25% auto tariffs, announced last week, could raise vehicle costs by an estimated $4,711 per car, according to economist Art Laffer. Trump dismissed concerns about higher prices, telling NBC News, “I hope they raise their prices, because if they do, people are gonna buy American-made cars.” Other tariffs target Venezuelan oil imports, Chinese goods linked to fentanyl production, and Canadian and Mexican products over drug smuggling and immigration concerns. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro projected the tariffs could generate $700 billion annually, calling them a tool to force “respect” from trading partners. Critics, however, warn of broader economic fallout. Goldman Sachs forecasts U.S. economic growth could slow to 0.6% this quarter, while Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Andrew Ginther warned median home prices might rise by $21,000 due to pricier materials. Global leaders condemned the measures. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the tariffs shattered the U.S.-Canada partnership, while French President Emmanuel Macron called them “not coherent” and inflationary. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, “There are no winners in trade wars,” emphasizing harm to the global trading system. Trump has repeatedly invoked “Liberation Day,” previously applying the term to his 2025 inauguration and the 2024 election. Experts like Northwestern University’s Phillip Braun dismissed the latest move, saying, “It’s going to hurt the U.S. economy. Other countries are going to retaliate.” As markets react to the uncertainty, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested tariffs might be a “one-time adjustment,” but analysts fear prolonged measures could ripple into services and insurance costs. With consumer confidence slipping and retaliation looming, the administration’s tariff strategy faces mounting scrutiny at home and abroad.

DEADLY TORNADOES AND WILDFIRES WREAK HAVOC ACROSS US, LEAVING AT LEAST 32 DEAD

A massive storm system brought widespread destruction and loss of life to parts of the US, with violent tornadoes ripping through several states and wildfires burning out of control. The death toll has risen to at least 32, with more severe weather expected. In Missouri, scattered twisters overnight killed at least 12 people, authorities said. Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County described the scene of one of the tornadoes, saying, “It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field… The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.” Dakota Henderson, who helped rescue people trapped in their homes, said, “It was a very rough deal last night… It’s really disturbing for what happened to the people, the casualties last night.” In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced that six people died in three counties and three more people were missing. There were 29 injuries across the state, he added. The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota, with snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches expected. Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to cause whiteout conditions. Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state, and nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. Gov. Kevin Stitt said at a news conference that some 266 square miles burned in the state. Bailey Dillon, who witnessed a massive twister in Tylertown, Mississippi, said, “The amount of damage was catastrophic… It was a large amount of cabins, RVs, campers that were just flipped over — everything was destroyed.” The Storm Prediction Center said significant tornadoes continued to hit Saturday, with the region at highest risk stretching from eastern Louisiana and Mississippi through Alabama, western Georgia, and the Florida panhandle.

DEADLY TORNADOES AND WILDFIRES WREAK HAVOC ACROSS US

A devastating storm system brought widespread destruction and loss of life to parts of the US on Saturday, as violent tornadoes and wildfires swept across several states. Governor of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, in a statement, said three people died in Independence County and 29 others were injured across eight counties as storms passed through the state. “We have teams out surveying the damage from last night’s tornadoes and have first responders on the ground to assist,” Sanders said. The storm system, which brought hurricane-force winds and triggered deadly dust storms, resulted in at least 17 deaths and scores of homes decimated. Missouri recorded more fatalities than any other state, with at least 11 deaths reported. Coroner Jim Akers of Butler County described the scene of one of the tornadoes, saying, “It was unrecognizable as a home. Just a debris field… The floor was upside down. We were walking on walls.” Tad Peters, who was traveling with his father, Richard Peters, recounted their harrowing experience, saying, “That wasn’t the ideal situation I would have liked to have been in with a tornado going over us… But what can you do?” Governor Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, along with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who made the declaration in anticipation of severe weather moving in later Saturday. The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of far western Minnesota and far eastern South Dakota, with snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches expected. Winds gusting to 60 mph were expected to cause whiteout conditions. Evacuations were ordered in some Oklahoma communities as more than 130 fires were reported across the state. Nearly 300 homes were damaged or destroyed. Governor Kevin Stitt said at a news conference that some 266 square miles had burned in his state. Charles Daniel, a truck driver, described the conditions, saying, “This is terrible out here… There’s a lot of sand and dirt in the air. I’m not pushing it over 55 mph. I’m scared it will blow over if I do.” Experts said it’s not unusual to see such weather extremes in March. The Storm Prediction Center said fast-moving storms could spawn twisters and hail as large as baseballs on Saturday. Sanders said the state was working to assist those affected by the storms. Huckabee Sanders added that the state was prepared to respond to the severe weather.

US LAUNCHES DECISIVE ATTACK ON HOUTHI MILITANTS IN YEMEN

The United States launched a massive military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen, targeting their military capabilities and infrastructure. According to President Donald Trump, the attack is a response to the Houthi’s repeated attacks on American vessels and merchant ships in the Red Sea. Trump emphasized that the US will not tolerate any further attacks on its interests, stating, “The Houthi attack on American vessels will not be tolerated. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective.” The operation, which involved US warships and jets, targeted radars, air defense sites, and drone launch points across Yemen. A defense official described the operation as the beginning of a campaign to degrade the Houthi’s military capabilities, which have been used to disrupt commercial maritime traffic in the Red Sea. The official added that the US aims to restore freedom of navigation in the region and protect American interests. The attack is seen as a significant escalation in the US military’s involvement in Yemen, where the Houthi’s have been backed by Iran. Trump’s administration has been critical of Iran’s support for the Houthi’s and has warned Tehran to stop its involvement in the conflict. The US operation is expected to continue in the coming days, with officials indicating that the goal is to significantly degrade the Houthi’s military capabilities and restore stability to the region.

US EXPELS SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADOR OVER ALLEGED ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT

The United States is expelling South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, over allegations of hating America and President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on Friday, stating that Rasool is “a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.” Rubio declared, “South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.” The expulsion is a rare move by the US and marks the latest development in rising tensions between Washington and Pretoria. The tensions have been escalating since Trump cut US financial aid to South Africa, citing disapproval of its land policy and genocide case against Israel. Trump has accused the South African government of “confiscating” land from white people, a claim denied by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa has defended the land reform policy, aimed at addressing racial disparities in land ownership. He signed a bill into law in January making it easier for the state to expropriate land in the public interest, in some cases without compensating the owner. Rasool has been critical of Trump’s policies, including his support for Israel. In a recent livestream, Rasool said Trump’s “disrespect” for the global order was motivated by white supremacism. He also compared the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza to apartheid-era South Africa. Trump has responded by offering to invite South African farmers to settle in the US with a “rapid pathway to citizenship.” The move has been criticized by the South African government, which has accused Trump of interfering in its internal affairs.

ONTARIO RETALIATES AGAINST US TRADE WAR WITH 25% ELECTRICITY SURCHARGE

In response to US President Donald Trump’s trade war, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the US, effective Monday. The move is expected to generate revenue of $300,000 to $400,000 per day, which will be used to support Ontario workers, families, and businesses. “I will not hesitate to increase this charge. If the United States escalates, I will not hesitate to shut the electricity off completely,” Ford said at a news conference in Toronto. “Believe me when I say I do not want to do this. I feel terrible for the American people who didn’t start this trade war. It’s one person who is responsible, it’s President Trump.” The surcharge will affect 1.5 million Americans in Minnesota, New York, and Michigan, who receive electricity from Ontario. Ford estimated that the surcharge will add around $69 per month to the bills of each American affected. “It needs to end. Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent,” Ford said. “I will do whatever it takes to maximize the pain against Americans,” he added, noting that Trump’s trade war is also threatening Canada’s steel, aluminum, and dairy industries. Quebec is also considering similar measures with electricity exports to the US. The move is part of Canada’s retaliation against Trump’s trade war, which has imposed tariffs on Canadian goods such as orange juice, peanut butter, and coffee.

TRUMP THREATENS EU WITH 25% TARIFFS, CLAIMS BLOC WAS FORMED TO “SCREW” THE US

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union “very soon”, citing a trade deficit of around $300 billion (£237 billion) and claiming the EU was “formed in order to screw the United States”. Trump made these remarks during his first cabinet meeting at the White House since his inauguration in January, with Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, in attendance. Trump stated, “We have made a decision, we’ll be announcing it very soon and it will be 25% generally speaking and that will be on cars and all other things… They don’t accept our cars, they don’t accept essentially our farm products. They use all sorts of reasons why not, and we accept everything from them.” When asked about potential retaliation from the EU, Trump replied, “They can’t, I mean, they can try, but they can’t… They can retaliate, but it cannot be a successful retaliation, because we just go cold turkey, we don’t buy anymore. If that happens, we win.” This threat comes amid fragile relations between the US and Europe, with the Trump administration seemingly favouring Moscow over Kyiv in its efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine. Trump’s comments have sparked concerns among European leaders, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accusing Trump of living in a Russian-made “disinformation space” after being called a “dictator with no elections” by the US president.

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