Reuters World News: Harvard Funding Freeze, Deportation Dispute, European Energy, and NBA Expansion

Harvard Funding Freeze and Academic Freedom

• 🏛️ Harvard University is facing a $2.3 billion federal funding freeze after refusing demands from the Trump administration.
• ⚖️ Harvard President Alan Garber stated the demands would cede control of the university to a conservative government, while critics argue it undermines academic freedom and free speech.
• 🎯 The Trump administration claims the freeze is a crackdown on anti-semitism on college campuses.

Deportation Dispute and Court Hearings

• 🚫 El Salvador President Nayib Bukele stated he cannot return a US man mistakenly deported, despite a US Supreme Court order.
• 🔍 A US District Court judge will hold a hearing to determine what the US government has done to comply with the order to facilitate the man's return.
• 🤝 Lawyers for the deported man will argue the government has the power to bring him back, potentially using a contract with El Salvador to house deportees.
• 🏛️ The Trump administration's defense may involve claims that the court cannot interfere with foreign policy, though this is contested as a violation of a court order.

European Energy Security and US Gas

• ⚡ Europe faces an energy security dilemma, relying on US liquefied natural gas (LNG) after reducing supply from Russia.
• ⚠️ Businesses are concerned that dependence on US gas has become another vulnerability, especially as Trump uses energy as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations.
• 📈 EU countries are considering their options amidst high energy prices and the ongoing need to phase out fossil fuels in favor of renewables.
• 🤝 Trump has suggested Europe can reduce its trade surplus with the US by buying more American oil and gas, creating hesitation about future dependence.

Global Economic and Social Updates

• 🇭🇺 Hungary's parliament approved constitutional changes targeting LGBTQ+ people, including the power to ban annual pride parades and enshrining the recognition of only two sexes.
• 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia plans to pay off Syria's debts to the World Bank, potentially enabling reconstruction and rebuilding of the country's public sector.
• 🇸🇩 Up to 400,000 people have been displaced from Sudan's Zamzam camp after its takeover by the rapid support forces, according to UN data.
• 🇦🇷 Argentina's peso has slid 10% after President Javier Milei lifted most currency controls as part of a $20 billion loan deal with the IMF, aiming to reduce fiscal deficits and inflation.

Space Tourism and Basketball in Europe

• 🚀 Pop star Katy Perry was among six women who successfully traveled to space on a Blue Origin rocket, with the flight lasting approximately 11 minutes.
• 🏀 The NBA is exploring launching a new operation in Europe, where basketball is the second most followed sport, aiming to capitalize on the significant European talent pool.