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Indian Student Ranjani Srinivasan Self-Deports After Visa Revocation

Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, self-deported from the United States this week after her student visa was revoked due to her participation in pro-Palestine protests. The US Department of Homeland Security stated that her visa was annulled on March 5 for "advocating violence and terrorism," specifically linking her to activities supporting Hamas. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the importance of visa privileges, stating that those who promote violence should not remain in the country. Srinivasan, who uses the gender-neutral pronoun "they," has an academic background that includes a Bachelor's Degree from CEPT University in India and a Master's from Harvard. Their research focuses on land-labour relations in India, supported by the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute. Prior to this, Srinivasan worked on climate change issues at a nonprofit in Washington and as a researcher at MIT. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 9 am

Four Small Planets Discovered Near Earth's Closest Star

Astronomers have discovered four small planets orbiting Barnard's Star, a dim red dwarf located just six light-years from Earth, making it one of our closest stellar neighbors. Despite its proximity, the star is too faint to be seen without telescopes, which were crucial in detecting the planets. Using precision instruments like the Espresso spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope in Chile and the Maroon-X instrument on the Gemini North telescope, researchers monitored the star's gravitational interactions over several years. The planets, likely rocky and too hot to support liquid water, have short orbital periods ranging from two to seven Earth days. While the search for longer-period planets in the star's habitable zone yielded no results, these findings contribute to our understanding of planetary formation around red dwarfs, which are the most common type of star in the galaxy. Future missions, such as ESA's Plato, aim to identify more planets further from their stars. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 2 pm

41 Countries Targeted by Trump for Possible Travel Ban

The Trump administration is contemplating a new travel ban affecting citizens from 41 countries, as revealed in an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The list, which is subject to change and pending approval from officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, categorizes countries into three groups. Full visa suspension would apply to nations such as Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea, among others. A partial visa suspension is proposed for countries like Eritrea, Haiti, and Myanmar, impacting tourist and student visas. Additionally, several countries are flagged for potential partial suspensions if they fail to rectify identified deficiencies, including Angola, Belarus, and Pakistan. The memo reflects ongoing discussions within the administration regarding national security and immigration policy, emphasizing the potential for significant changes in travel regulations. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 3 pm

JD Vance: Musk's Mass Firings Were a "Mistake

Vice President JD Vance recently discussed Elon Musk's controversial approach to federal government restructuring in an NBC News interview, acknowledging that Musk has made "mistakes" during mass firings but stressed the importance of correcting them. Vance recognized the valuable contributions of many federal employees, countering Musk's characterization of them as "fraudsters." While acknowledging some may not adequately perform their duties, he called for a balanced perspective. Vance's remarks came during a trip aboard Air Force Two, where he also addressed economic recovery, citing the addition of 10,000 manufacturing jobs last month, while noting the long road to resolving $2 trillion deficits. Amidst growing disapproval of Trump's economic policies, Vance attributed challenges to the previous administration. He also touched on foreign policy, defending his controversial comments about Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and dismissed speculation about his 2028 presidential ambitions, focusing instead on his current role. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 3 pm

PM Modi to Visit Sri Lanka for Cooperation Agreements

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sri Lanka in early April to solidify agreements made during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's trip to Delhi last year, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. Speaking in parliament, Herath emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka's relationship with India, noting that their first diplomatic visit was to the country. During Modi's visit, new memoranda of understanding will be signed, including the inauguration of the Sampur solar power station, part of a collaboration between the Ceylon Electricity Board and India's NTPC to establish a 135 MW solar plant in Trincomalee. Herath highlighted the benefits of the National People's Power government's goodwill policy towards India, which has facilitated various ongoing projects. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to a neutral foreign policy that prioritizes national interests. This will mark Modi's fourth visit to Sri Lanka since 2015. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 3 pm

Canadians Respond Angrily to Trump's Tariff and Annexation Threats

TORONTO: Tensions between Canada and the United States have escalated as President Donald Trump's remarks about annexing Canada have ignited a wave of nationalism among Canadians, traditionally known for their politeness. Recent polls indicate that Canada-US relations are a primary concern for residents, leading to a rallying cry of "Elbows up," a hockey term symbolizing readiness to defend the nation. Over 1,000 people attended a rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, where speakers addressed feelings of betrayal and anger towards the US, with many Canadians boycotting American goods and altering travel plans. Organiser Peter Wall expressed a mix of concern and frustration, while journalist Jordan Heath-Rawlings likened the situation to the shock of a divorce, prompting a reevaluation of Canadian identity. Comedian Shaun Majumder suggested this period may mark a significant shift in Canada's self-perception, as former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed the sentiment, stating, “We will be diplomatic when we can but fight when we must.” sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 3 pm

Musk: Starship to Mars by 2026, humans by 2031

SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced that the company's Starship rocket is set to embark on a mission to Mars at the end of 2026, carrying the Tesla humanoid robot, Optimus. Musk indicated that if the initial landings are successful, human missions could commence as early as 2029, although 2031 is deemed more probable. Starship, touted as the largest and most powerful rocket globally, is central to Musk's ambition of establishing a human presence on Mars. Additionally, NASA is awaiting a modified version of Starship for its Artemis program, aimed at returning astronauts to the Moon. However, SpaceX faces challenges in proving the rocket's reliability and safety following a recent test flight that ended in a fiery explosion, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to mandate an investigation before future launches can proceed. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 2 pm

ESA Offers Rs 4.7 Lakh for 10 Days of Bed Rest

The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering volunteers €5,000 (approximately Rs 4.72 lakh) for a unique 10-day study focused on simulating the effects of spaceflight. The Vivaldi III experiment, taking place at the Medes space clinic in Toulouse, France, involves participants lying on a waterbed to create a sensation of weightlessness, akin to what astronauts experience on the International Space Station. Volunteers are submerged up to their torsos, with their heads and arms above water, and are allowed to use phones to stay in touch with loved ones. They will also undergo five days of post-experiment assessments. This study aims to enhance understanding of the body's adaptation to space environments and improve astronaut health and performance. The recruitment, which began last year, is limited to men aged 20 to 40, with specific height and BMI criteria, ensuring participants have no allergies or dietary restrictions. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 12 pm

Elon Musk's DOGE Cancels 200,000 Government Credit Cards: Reasons Explained

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has deactivated over 200,000 federal government credit cards in a bid to streamline spending and reduce administrative costs. This initiative, which follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, aims to simplify credit card accounts and curb unnecessary expenditures among the approximately 4.6 million active cards that facilitated around 90 million transactions in the 2024 fiscal year. While Musk highlighted concerns over excessive card numbers and potential misuse, the credit card freeze has caused operational disruptions in several federal agencies, including difficulties for the FDA in acquiring essential supplies. Despite these drastic measures, DOGE has not disclosed anticipated financial savings, raising questions about the effectiveness of such cost-cutting strategies, which historically have yielded limited benefits. Established in January 2025, DOGE seeks to address federal inefficiencies through significant workforce reductions and spending reforms. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 12 pm

Trump Accuses Biden of Corrupting Justice Department

US President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on the media and his political adversaries during a speech at the Department of Justice, where he was expected to discuss law and order. Instead, the 78-year-old Republican, the first convicted felon to occupy the White House, used the occasion to allege that his predecessor, Joe Biden, had "weaponized" the department against him, vowing to "expose" his opponents. Trump criticized mainstream media outlets like CNN and MSNBC, claiming they portray him negatively and calling for their actions to be deemed illegal. He emphasized a commitment to overhauling the Justice Department if re-elected in 2024, reflecting his ongoing grievances since the 2020 election and the subsequent legal challenges he faced. Trump's rhetoric marks a significant departure from traditional political norms, as he seeks to reshape the department and silence critical media voices. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 1 pm

Elephant Mourns 25-Year Partner in Heartbreaking Viral Video

A poignant video of a circus elephant named Magda mourning her companion Jenny has captured the hearts of internet users worldwide. The two elephants, who had performed together in Russia for over 25 years, were enjoying retirement in Crimea when Jenny collapsed and died suddenly. In a heartbreaking display of grief, Magda initially attempted to lift her friend before embracing her and remaining by her side for hours, even preventing veterinarians from approaching. Social media reactions highlighted the deep bond between the elephants, with users expressing their sorrow and noting that elephants are known to exhibit mourning behaviors. The duo had a tumultuous past, including a public fight during a performance that led to their retirement in 2021, but they ultimately reconciled and stayed together until Jenny's death. The emotional scene has sparked widespread sympathy and reflection on the intelligence and emotional depth of elephants. sources

Published:
Mar 15 2025, 11 am

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