Internacionales
The United States opens an investigation into Harvard for its sponsorship of international visas
The US Department of State announced on Wednesday that it opened an investigation at Harvard University for its admission and sponsorship of international visas to students and teachers as part of the Exchange Visitor Program.
According to the statement of the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the Government requires all sponsors of this program “full compliance with the regulations on exchange visitors, transparency in the presentation of reports and a demonstrated commitment to the promotion of the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding”.
In addition, he adds that its exchange programs must be carried out “in a way that does not undermine foreign policy objectives or compromise the interests of US national security,” so educational centers are expected to “defend national security, comply with the law and provide safe environments for all students.”
“The investigation will ensure that the State Department’s programs are not contrary to the interests of our nation,” he said.
This is the latest attack by President Donald Trump’s Administration on one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the country, in a battle in which the tension between both parties has been escalating for months.
This Monday, the hearing on the legality of the Trump Administration’s funding blockade for Harvard took place, which was concluded in a Boston court without a ruling on the matter. However, the federal judge who took the case openly questioned the government measure.
Previously, Trump tried to ban the enrollment of foreign students in this educational center, a measure that this same federal judge blocked indefinitely.
Last June, the Republican said that “it was possible” that his government would announce an agreement with Harvard and assured that he was working closely with the institution, although there are still no details about these negotiations.
The US Government had previously announced the opening of an investigation against five universities in the country, including Miami, to determine whether they award their scholarships exclusively to undocumented young people or beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, known as ‘dreamers’.
Specifically, the Department of Education set the University of Miami, Louisville, Nebraska Omaha, Michigan and West Michigan in its sights.
Internacionales
Major winter storm threatens “catastrophic” ice and snow across much of the U.S.
A major winter storm is threatening to blanket large portions of the United States with a dangerous mix of freezing rain and heavy snowfall, potentially creating “catastrophic” conditions across areas home to nearly 160 million people.
Several U.S. states have declared a state of emergency as the Arctic blast advances from the California coast across much of the continental United States, affecting central regions, including the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, according to forecasts.
The National Weather Service warned the storm could cause a “catastrophic accumulation of ice,” leading to prolonged power outages, widespread tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions.
Meteorologist Ryan Maue cautioned that “the next 10 days of winter will be the worst in 40 years in the United States.”
“Think about where you can go, what you can do, and who may need even more help to survive the coming week. This is not an exaggeration or a joke,” Maue said.
He urged residents to prepare for temperatures dropping below -18°C (0°F).
More than 1,500 weekend flights had already been canceled, according to flight tracker FlightAware, including numerous flights in Texas.
In the southern state, many residents still recall the devastation caused by a similar storm in February 2021, which resulted in more than 200 deaths linked to hypothermia, carbon monoxide poisoning, and traffic accidents.
Texas authorities have assured the public that the power grid, which suffered widespread failures during that storm and left millions without electricity, is better prepared to withstand the extreme weather this time.
Internacionales
Juan Orlando Hernández’s family takes time to decide next steps after surprise U.S. release
Ana García, the wife of former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, who was pardoned on Monday by U.S. President Donald Trump after being sentenced in 2024 to 45 years in prison on drug trafficking and firearms charges, told EFE on Wednesday that the family has not yet decided whether he will return to Honduras.
“We have not made any decision about that yet. Everything is still very recent, and as a family we are going to take the time to reflect carefully and make wise decisions thinking about the well-being of Juan Orlando, our children, and all our families,” García said at her residence in Tegucigalpa.
García wore around her neck her husband’s wedding ring, which she has kept since Hernández was held at a special police detention facility known as the ‘Cobras’ on the day of his arrest, February 15, 2022.
“We are still deciding many things. He has just been released, it has not even been 48 hours since he got out. So we are taking things calmly,” she reiterated.
She also explained that since she does not have a U.S. visa — revoked after her husband was requested for extradition following the end of his presidency in January 2022 — she has not been able to see him, but said she is “awaiting some form of communication from the United States” in order to do so.
García declined to reveal where in the United States her husband is currently located, although she stressed that she is confident she will have an opportunity to reunite with him.
Internacionales
One killed, 188 evacuated as wind-driven blaze rips through Kyushu neighborhood
One person died and 188 residents were evacuated after a massive fire swept through at least 170 buildings in a residential area on the island of Kyushu, southern Japan, authorities reported on Wednesday.
The regional government confirmed one fatality. Public broadcaster NHK reported that police, who had been searching for a missing 76-year-old man, found a body inside his home.
Footage recorded on Tuesday night showed firefighters spraying water on towering flames engulfing homes, while residents were escorted to an improvised evacuation center.
“The flames rose so high they turned the sky red. The wind was strong. I never imagined it would spread so far,” a man told NHK.
“I was shaking with fear. I had never seen a column of fire like that,” another witness said.
The fire broke out late Tuesday, with at least 170 buildings affected. According to NHK, the blaze spread rapidly, likely fueled by a lack of rainfall, dry air, and the tightly packed wooden houses characteristic of the area.
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