Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
Jimmy Lai Convicted Under Hong Kong National Security Law in Landmark Case 
International Outcry Grows Over Re-Arrest of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi in Iran 
Tunisia Protests Grow as Opposition Unites Against President Kais Saied’s Rule 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
California, 18 States Sue to Block Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s Pause on New Wind-Energy Permits 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
Ukraine’s NATO Concession Unlikely to Shift Peace Talks, Experts Say 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
Supporters Gather Ahead of Verdict in Jimmy Lai’s Landmark Hong Kong National Security Trial 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
US Charges Two Men in Alleged Nvidia Chip Smuggling Scheme to China 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
More than 200 presidents from U.S. colleges and universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, have jointly denounced what they call unprecedented political interference by the Trump administration in higher education. In a powerful statement, the presidents accused the government of overreach, citing attempts to influence university policies by leveraging federal funding.
The joint letter follows a lawsuit filed by Harvard University accusing the Trump administration of violating the Constitution by pausing $2.3 billion in federal research funding in retaliation for rejecting government demands to monitor student bodies, faculty, and curriculum. The White House argues the funding freeze ensures taxpayer dollars don’t support racial discrimination or antisemitism, pointing to pro-Palestinian student protests as justification.
Harvard, however, contends the administration failed to follow due process under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which requires a formal review and Congressional notice before cutting funds. The university's lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, claims the government is unlawfully using financial pressure to suppress free speech and academic freedom.
Columbia University, facing similar scrutiny, entered negotiations after the administration pulled $400 million in research grants. The administration has also threatened to revoke universities' tax-exempt status and block foreign student enrollment. Amid this climate, schools like Duke University have warned international students against traveling abroad due to increased immigration enforcement.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 57% of Americans—including one-third of Republicans—oppose cutting university funding based on political disagreements. With over 1.1 million foreign students in the U.S., many institutions fear the long-term impact of these escalating tensions on academic freedom, scientific research, and international collaboration in American higher education.
