Malek Fouda
USA
Washington to target universities' tax exemptions over DEI policies
The Trump administration says its proposed legislation aims to make university equal and accessible to all and end “woke” campaigns which deliberately favour certain students over others due to socioeconomic or racial backgrounds.
Iran
Iran hits US targets in the region as Washington probes wedding strike
Oil prices again spiked this week after a few weeks of relative stability following the renewed fighting as Iran continues to maintain a stranglehold over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, responsible for roughly 20% of global oil shipping.
USA
Maduro asks US court to drop drug charges on grounds of immunity
Maduro who has called himself a “prisoner of war” and his capture a “kidnapping” has requested all charges against him and his wife be dropped on grounds of diplomatic immunity. Their attorneys argued that only Venezuelan courts have the right to prosecute them.
USA
Judge blocks new Trump bid against birthright citizenship
The ruling is the second time Trump’s ambitious plans of abolishing a constitutional right were shot down by federal courts. The US Supreme Court earlier blocked an executive attempt at abolishing the right to children born to parents who do not hold legal residence status.
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Nepal
Mass burials of victims continue in Nepal one week after flash floods
Many were outraged and expressed their disapproval after the government revealed it intended to carry out mass “temporary” burials of the deceased. Nepal’s largely Hindu community objected to the measure which they say goes against religious traditions.
USA
Robinson pleads not guilty as Utah judge advances Kirk murder to trial
Robinson, seen as the sole suspect in the 2025 assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, entered a not guilty plea after a judge gave the green light for prosecutors to advance towards the death penalty as the case goes to trial.
China
Hong Kong democracy activist Wong pleads guilty to foreign collusion
Wong, already serving prison time for a separate case, pleaded guilty to a second offence under Beijing’s 2020 National Security law, which could see his sentence extended by a minimum of three years and up to life imprisonment.
USA
Bank of America vice president dies in fatal knife attack in New York
Bank of America executive Erin Piacenti has been named as the victim killed in New York by a woman who stabbed two people in Times Square before being fatally shot by police. The woman has reportedly had a history of mental health issues, according to the NYPD.
Iran
Iran takes aim at Jordan after US attacks an island in Hormuz
The US attacks on Iran are the first in around a month as the Trump administration had shifted its war objective to inflict maximum economic pain on Tehran. Washington says the strikes were aimed at preventing Iranian forces from disrupting global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Syria
Lebanon extradites al-Assad's general to Syria for war crimes trial
The move comes as the new Syrian government, led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa looks to hold senior members of al-Assad’s regime accountable for crimes committed during the country’s civil war, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
Business
Trump says Canada reached last minute deal with US to delay 50% tariff
The two allies traded goods and services worth close to $1 trillion despite their strained relations last year, as US President Donald Trump continues his relentless push to enforce tariffs and levies on his northern neighbours.
USA
Judge blocks Trump attempts to move FBI to DC office building
Officials in the Trump administration sought to scrap plans for relocation to a site approved under the Biden administration in favour of repurposing another building just blocks from the current FBI headquarters in the nation’s capital.
USA
Mangione's state trial postponed indefinitely in double jeopardy claim
Mangione’s attorneys argued that he was being double charged for the same “criminal transaction” pleading for the state case to be tossed out. Mangione pleaded guilty to the stalking and fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024.
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