Morning news wrap: Trump-Harvard tax row, Haj quota uproar, US visa crisis hits Ahmedabad students & more

The Trump administration has formally requested the IRS to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status, accusing the institution of failing to address antisemitism on campus. This request is part of a broader crackdown on elite universities accused of tolerating antisemitic incidents.
In other news, Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin has written to Prime Minister Modi, urging him to address the sudden cancellation of the Private Haj quota by Saudi Arabia, which has caused distress among Indian Muslim pilgrims.
Meanwhile, US-bound students from Ahmedabad are facing uncertainty due to the sudden unavailability of visa appointment slots, potentially threatening their Fall 2025 intake timelines.
On the global financial front, US markets experienced a sharp sell-off, while Asian markets saw mixed results, reflecting concerns over inflation and tariff impacts.
Here are the top stories for the morning news wrap:
Trump administration pushes for IRS to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status over anti-semitism
The Trump administration has formally requested the IRS to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, accusing the institution of failing to address antisemitism on campus. The administration argues that this violates Harvard’s nonprofit conditions. This follows a broader crackdown on elite universities accused of tolerating antisemitic incidents. US Donald President Trump criticised Harvard on social media, and the department of education is reviewing over $255 million in contracts and nearly $9 billion in grants. Read full story
Tamil Nadu CM writes to PM Modi over Private Haj quota cancellation
Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Modi expressing concern over the sudden cancellation of the Private Haj quota, which has caused distress among Indian Muslim pilgrims, especially from Tamil Nadu. The reduction of 52,000 seats, affecting pilgrims who had already made payments, has led to uncertainty. Stalin urged PM Modi to address the issue with Saudi Arabia to restore the quota and provide relief to the affected pilgrims. Read full story
Ahmedabad students face uncertainty as US Visa appointments disappear
Visa appointments for US-bound students from Ahmedabad have become increasingly scarce, leaving many in uncertainty. Since mid-March, slots for student visa interviews have been unavailable, despite students securing admissions and I-20 forms. The US embassy's system upgrade and policy changes have exacerbated the issue. Consultants warn that if the situation persists, students may miss their Fall 2025 intake deadlines, adding stress to an already anxious process. Read full story
US markets tumble as federal reserve chair warns of inflation and tariff impact; Asian markets see gains
US Wall Street saw a sharp sell-off on Wednesday, driven by concerns over Jerome Powell's pessimistic comments and Nvidia's financial troubles. Powell warned that Trump’s tariffs could fuel inflation, intensifying stagflation fears. Meanwhile, the dollar weakened, and gold surged. In contrast, Asian markets showed mixed results, with Hong Kong and Japan's indices rising, while China’s CSI 300 fell. South Korea also saw gains after holding interest rates steady. Read full story
Riyan Parag's bat fails IPL size check, forcing him to change equipment
Riyan Parag of Rajasthan Royals was forced to change his bat during the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals after it failed a routine size check by the umpires. Despite his protests, Parag complied, though he managed only 8 runs before being dismissed. The incident highlights growing scrutiny of bat regulations, with players reminded to adhere to strict size limits under BCCI’s enhanced enforcement this season. Read full story