Geopolitical Conflicts & Tensions

Israel-Hamas Conflict:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Hamas's Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar has been killed. There are ongoing concerns about aid distribution in Gaza, with reports of crowds overrunning aid centers and casualties. The EU has stated that Israeli strikes "go beyond what is necessary."

Russia-Ukraine War:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced that Germany and other NATO allies have lifted restrictions on Ukraine using long-range weaponry inside Russia, with Germany promising to help Ukraine produce such missiles. This decision has been met with a strong response from the Kremlin. The BBC also reports on a "terrifying new weapon" in Ukraine involving swarms of fiber optic drones.

US-China Tensions:

The Trump administration is taking a harder stance on Chinese students, pausing student visa appointments and planning to "aggressively" revoke visas, citing concerns about "censorship" and increasing scrutiny on social media vetting. This is creating uncertainty for foreign students.