The Trump administration is employing new tactics to deport international students, alarming college leaders. Students are being ordered to leave the country immediately, often without clear justification, and their legal residency is being terminated, a departure from past practices. This crackdown, impacting students across numerous universities, targets some for political activism or minor infractions, while others face deportation without explanation. The federal government is bypassing colleges in this process, creating uncertainty and potentially chilling future international student enrollment.
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Global markets experienced a significant sell-off on Friday, driven by China’s retaliatory tariffs against recent U.S. increases. The Dow plunged over 2,000 points, mirroring substantial losses in other global markets, including Europe and Asia. Even positive U.S. jobs data couldn’t stem the decline, highlighting investor anxieties about the potential for a global recession fueled by escalating trade tensions. While the Federal Reserve could intervene, concerns about inflation may limit its options, leaving the market’s future trajectory dependent on the duration and extent of the trade war.
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Uday Rabie, a 22-year-old Palestinian, was tortured and killed by Hamas militants after criticizing the group and participating in anti-Hamas protests in Gaza. His brother, Hassan, stated that armed fighters affiliated with Hamas’ Al-Qassam Brigades abducted, tortured, and returned Uday, who later died from his injuries. The family publicly accused the Al-Qassam Brigades and shared evidence of Uday’s injuries and death, including a video showing him expressing fears for his life. While Hamas has previously affirmed the right to peaceful protest, they have not yet commented on this specific incident.
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The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimates that extending the 2017 tax law’s expiring provisions, coupled with proposed GOP tax cuts, will cost $7 trillion over ten years. This surpasses previous estimates of $4.6 trillion, with the extension alone projected at $5.5 trillion. Senate Republicans’ additional $1.5 trillion in cuts further inflate the cost. Democrats strongly criticized the plan, citing its detrimental impact on the national debt and its disproportionate benefits to the wealthy.
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Following President Trump’s self-proclaimed title as “fertilization president” and promises to expand IVF access, the CDC’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance team was eliminated. This team tracked IVF success rates and provided public resources, including an IVF success estimator. Pundit Catherine Rampell called for apologies from Republicans who supported Trump’s claims, citing his contradictory actions. The team’s elimination fueled criticism, highlighting the disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the reality of reduced funding for IVF research and support.
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In a recent address at Hamilton College, former President Obama sharply criticized President Trump’s actions. He highlighted Trump’s attempts to dismantle the federal government, suppress dissent, and restrict the free press, arguing such behavior would have been met with far greater outrage had it been committed by previous administrations. Obama specifically cited Trump’s targeting of lawyers, universities, and news organizations as examples of an alarming disregard for fundamental American rights. He emphasized his concern not just for economic repercussions of Trump’s policies, but primarily for the erosion of democratic norms and the violation of civil liberties.
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Putin’s chaos agents are actively invading Poland’s infosphere, mirroring similar campaigns in other nations. This isn’t a new tactic; Russia’s disinformation machine has proven effective in undermining democracies worldwide, and Poland is now squarely in its sights. The scale and sophistication of this operation demand a robust response.
The methods employed are subtle and insidious. Pro-Russian accounts on platforms like TikTok are spreading narratives that paint the EU as an oppressive force, trying to fracture the alliance and sow discord within member states. These campaigns often target upcoming elections, as seen in Romania, where pro-Putin messaging is attempting to influence the presidential race, even exploiting the banning of certain candidates to push alternative narratives.… Continue reading
Nine years after the Panama Papers leak revealed over 11 million files exposing billions in hidden assets and tax evasion, global tax agencies report recovering $1.86 billion in back taxes and penalties. While many countries contributed to this total, including Sweden ($300M+), France ($297M+), and Spain ($250M+), Canada’s CRA only reports assessed taxes, not actual collections, totaling $83 million from Panama Papers-related audits. Ongoing investigations and legal challenges continue to delay the full accounting of recovered funds, with some experts criticizing the low number of criminal charges pursued.
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Speaking at Hamilton College, former President Barack Obama condemned President Trump’s criticisms of universities, legal practices, and free speech. This address followed a significant downturn in the stock market, representing its worst day since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obama’s remarks highlighted concerns about threats to academic institutions and fundamental freedoms. The timing of the speech, amidst economic uncertainty, underscored the gravity of the issues raised.
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Pence’s characterization of Trump’s tariffs as the “largest peacetime tax hike in U.S. history” is a striking statement, one that cleverly highlights the significant economic impact of these policies. The inherent boldness of this claim lies in its direct challenge to the prevailing narrative surrounding the tariffs, often portrayed as a necessary tool for economic protectionism.
This phrasing subtly underscores the unprecedented nature of the tax increase, emphasizing its scale and the lack of wartime justification. It effectively frames the issue as one of domestic policy, rather than a necessary response to external threats, as Trump himself might argue. The implicit criticism of the administration’s approach is clear, highlighting a potential deviation from traditional Republican fiscal policies.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood