International Relations NewsFeed

April 1, 2025

Tapper Demands Evidence on Arrested Academic Scholars

CNN host Jake Tapper criticized the Trump administration's justification for arresting academic scholars, including Indian national Khan Suri and Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozturk, by questioning the lack of evidence provided by the State Department. Tapper stated that if there is specific evidence of problematic behavior, such as lawbreaking or antisemitism, he welcomes it but demands transparency from the administration. He urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to provide details about the cases, suggesting they present evidence directly to him or through CNN correspondent Priscilla Alvarez.

https://www.rawstory.com/trump-immigration-arrests/

April 1, 2025

Trump's Tariffs to Cost US Households $2,000 Annually

US President Trump's tariffs on foreign-made vehicles could cost the average household up to $2,000 annually, according to Yale University analysis. A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 72% of Americans believe tariffs will increase prices in the short term, while less than a third think it will drive prices down in the long term.

https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/economy/what-to-expect-as-new-tariffs-take-effect-this-week

April 1, 2025

Trump Threatens Houthi Rebels Over Ship Attacks

US President Donald Trump warned Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that military operations will continue until they stop threatening freedom of navigation, stating "the choice for the Houthis is clear - stop attacking American ships and we will stop attacking you." The US has launched a recent military campaign targeting Houthi positions in Yemen, where the rebel movement, Ansar Allah, controls significant territory.

https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/960870-trump-military-strikes-against-houthis-will-continue-until-threat-is-eliminated

April 1, 2025

Trump Threatens Retaliation with Larger Tariffs on Allies

President Donald Trump threatened that if the European Union and Canada collaborate to harm the US economy through tariffs, they would face even larger tariffs themselves as a way to protect their closest allies.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/31/us-news/trumps-major-global-tariffs-have-no-exemptions-at-this-time-wh-says/

April 1, 2025

Trump Threatens Tariffs Over Putin's Zelenskyy Comments

US President Donald Trump expressed "anger" at Russian President Vladimir Putin over comments about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, threatening secondary tariffs of 25%-50% on Russian oil buyers if peace talks fail. Despite earlier statements that the US and Ukraine had moved beyond mineral deal talks, Trump warned Zelenskyy would face "big, big problems" if he backs out of the agreement. A limited ceasefire in Ukraine, mediated by the US, Ukraine, and Russia, has been observing a halt on strikes on energy infrastructures and safe navigation in the Black Sea.

https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/03/31/trump-said-hes-angry-with-putin-and-ukraine-war-updates/

April 1, 2025

Trump Warns Iran Over Nuclear Program Stalemate

US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Iran seeking a new agreement on nuclear weapons, amid heightened military readiness in the region. The presence of B-2 stealth bombers at Diego Garcia, a strategically vital location jointly operated by the US and UK, signals preparations for potential engagement with Iran or serves as a deterrent. This comes after President Trump intensified actions against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, where maritime security concerns have been raised due to attacks on Navy and commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Iran has rejected direct negotiations with the US over its nuclear program, prompting President Trump's warning of further tariffs if talks do not progress.

https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/military/us-deploys-stealth-bombers-to-key-base-in-indio-pacific-amid-tension-with-iran

April 1, 2025

Tsai Ing-wen Sparks Cross-Strait Tensions Again

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen has been heavily criticized by a spokesperson for her role in creating tensions with China, who claims she is a destroyer of cross-Straits peace and a creator of crisis in the region.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331280.shtml

April 1, 2025

Turnbull Warns of US Shift Under Trump Threatens Australia

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's forum warned that a sharp shift in direction under Donald Trump poses a significant threat to Australia, with former foreign affairs official Heather Smith stating the "rules-based order" has collapsed and is unlikely to return. Professor Hugh White, an expert at Australian National University, believes the US cannot win a war with China in the western Pacific and is unlikely to come to Australia's aid in a conflict. The forum also highlighted that trading with Australia remains in China's interest, rather than triggering conflict around the region.

https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/worse-than-russia-voters-fear-trump-s-america-20250331-p5lnzn.html

April 1, 2025

Ukraine Recovers 1,247 Kidnapped Children from Russia

The Ukrainian government's efforts to return children forcibly taken from occupied territories have been recognized by the National Resistance Center, which considers this practice a violation of international law and a war crime. Ukraine has successfully repatriated 1,247 children who were illegally taken to Russia.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-society/3976782-another-group-of-ukrainian-children-taken-by-invaders-to-russia-national-resistance-centerv.html