A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, who was arrested for his pro-Palestinian activism. The arrest, reportedly stemming from a State Department order to revoke his green card, is seen as an escalation of efforts to suppress pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses. Khalil’s attorney argues the arrest is an attempt to suppress political speech, while the DHS claims his activities aligned with Hamas. A legal challenge is underway, with the judge’s order preventing Khalil’s deportation pending a ruling.
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Federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate, at his university apartment. The Department of Homeland Security cited President Trump’s executive orders against anti-Semitism, alleging Khalil’s involvement in Hamas-aligned activities, though providing no specific charges. This arrest follows President Trump’s vow to deport foreign students participating in anti-Israel protests and the administration’s reduction of funding to Columbia University. Khalil’s attorney stated that the arrest is a violation of due process and will be challenged in court.
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Federal immigration authorities arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and prominent participant in Columbia University’s anti-Israel protests, at his university residence. The arrest, seemingly based on State Department orders, involved revoking Khalil’s student visa and green card, allegedly due to his support of Hamas. This action is viewed as a potential escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to deport students involved in the protests and follows investigations into Khalil’s involvement with pro-Palestine activism on campus. The arrest has drawn criticism as a possible retaliatory measure against Khalil’s expression of political opinion.
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Israel has cut off its electricity supply to Gaza, impacting desalination plants and potentially water and sanitation services, a move Hamas condemns as a “starvation policy.” This action follows the cessation of all goods to Gaza, intended to pressure Hamas to release more hostages in exchange for ceasefire negotiations. Despite ongoing mediation efforts, including US involvement, Hamas and Israel remain at an impasse regarding the terms of a lasting truce and the fate of the remaining hostages.
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Prior to the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Israel provided roughly half of Gaza’s electricity needs, supplementing the Gaza Power Plant and Egyptian supplies. This dependency stemmed from Gaza’s limited domestic energy infrastructure and Israel’s control over borders and resource access. Following the war, Israel initially cut off electricity as part of a siege, severely impacting Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure and leading to widespread power outages. While Israel later resumed limited fuel deliveries and connected a power line to a UN desalination plant, a complete electricity cutoff persists as of March 9, 2025, leaving Gaza in a prolonged crisis. The situation highlights the complex interplay of political tensions, resource control, and humanitarian needs in the region.
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In India, two suspects were arrested for the gang-rape of an Israeli tourist and a local woman near the Hampi historical site. The attack, which also resulted in the death of one of the male victims, occurred after the group refused to give money to their assailants. Police are still searching for a third suspect. This incident underscores the ongoing problem of violence against women in India, prompting renewed calls for stricter measures to prevent such crimes.
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The U.S. has provided Ukraine with $65.9 billion in military aid since the start of the full-scale invasion, significantly more than any other country. This aid, crucial for air defense, artillery, and training, is not immediately indispensable, but a cessation would severely hamper Ukraine’s defense capabilities over time. A reduction in U.S. support would force Ukraine to ration ammunition, potentially increasing casualties, and leave it vulnerable due to a lack of replacement systems for crucial weaponry like HIMARS missiles and Patriot interceptors. While Europe might offer some assistance, it is unlikely to fully offset the loss of American aid.
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Muslim foreign ministers, convened by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), rejected President Trump’s proposal to displace Gaza’s Palestinian population, denouncing it as ethnic cleansing. The OIC endorsed an Egyptian-led plan for a Palestinian administrative committee to govern Gaza, facilitating reconstruction efforts and countering Trump’s initiative. Meanwhile, Hamas reported positive developments in ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, focusing on the release of remaining hostages and a lasting truce. European powers also expressed support for the Arab reconstruction plan, emphasizing the need for the Palestinian Authority’s central role in Gaza’s future. Despite the ceasefire, ongoing tensions persist, with recent Israeli airstrikes and continued Israeli restrictions on Gaza’s supplies.
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Growing ties between the U.S. and Russia are prompting concern among key American allies, including members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and nations like Israel and Saudi Arabia. These allies fear that increased cooperation with Russia could inadvertently expose the identities of their intelligence sources. Consequently, discussions are underway regarding potential adjustments to intelligence-sharing protocols to mitigate this risk. This broader reassessment of U.S. relationships encompasses diplomatic, trade, military, and intelligence collaborations.
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Following direct US talks with Hamas in Doha—a departure from longstanding US policy—President Trump issued an ultimatum. He demanded the immediate release of Israeli hostages and the return of murdered victims’ bodies, threatening dire consequences for Hamas’s refusal. This threat came after Trump met with freed hostages and despite ongoing, albeit undisclosed, negotiations facilitated by a US envoy. The ultimatum includes a warning to Gazans that harboring hostages will result in their deaths. A new ceasefire proposal, requiring Hamas to release some hostages, is under consideration.
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John Q. Hosedrinker