☕ All visas up for review

Good morning!

And a very happy birthday to Ty Burrell, forever the iconic Phil Dunphy.

I’ve got 30 seconds

Some headlines from this morning:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his government will rejoin talks for the release of all remaining hostages and an end to the war in Gaza on terms "acceptable to Israel." Earlier this week, Hamas agreed to a Qatari and Egyptian-mediated proposal for a 60-day ceasefire that would see half of the remaining hostages released. Israel has not responded to this deal. Netanyahu also announced his cabinet had approved plans for a wide-scale assault on Gaza City, despite widespread international opposition, which has now begun. The UN says Israeli forces have killed at least 87 people in the city in recent days. The announcements come after Hamas accused Netanyahu of obstructing agreement talks by launching Israel’s new operation, while Netanyahu said the plan to take over Gaza City would go ahead regardless of whether there is a truce and hostage deal.

• Erik Menendez will remain in prison after a failed parole bid in the U.S. state of California. Erik and his brother Lyle were found guilty of murder in 1996, seven years after killing their parents inside their Beverly Hills home. The case gained renewed interest following the release of last year’s Netflix series, ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’. The pair were resentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole earlier this year, creating a new path to freedom. However, officials have now rejected a parole bid by Erik following a ten-hour hearing. The board found the 54-year-old still represents a risk to public safety and ruled he can reapply for parole in three years. A parole hearing for his older brother, Lyle, is scheduled to take place over the weekend.

• Los Angeles police arrested rapper Lil Nas X on Thursday after they were called to attend to a man walking down the street in his underwear. Police arrested the Grammy award-winner after he “charged” at officers, but he was later taken to the hospital to be treated for a possible overdose. TMZ released a video they claim depicts the rapper wandering down the street in his underwear and cowboy boots, inviting people passing by to “join the party”. The arrest comes as fans await the highly anticipated release of Lil Nas’ second album, “Dreamboy,” later this year.

• NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a new moon orbiting Uranus. The previously unknown object was spotted by researchers in February, NASA has confirmed, expanding the planet’s “known satellite family” to 29. The newly discovered moon is considered relatively small, at around 10 kilometres in diameter. Astronomers said “No other planet has as many small inner moons as Uranus, and their complex inter-relationships… hint at a chaotic history. The discovery means Uranus is likely “even more” complex a planet than originally thought, according to researchers. NASA said the James Webb telescope “is providing a new eye on the outer solar system,” to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos.

I’ve got 1 minute

The Trump administration has abandoned plans to impose up to 200% tariffs on European pharmaceuticals and semiconductors as part of a broader trade deal with the EU announced last month. The move protects major European drugmakers and tech companies from punitive taxes that would have dramatically increased costs for American consumers. Here's what you need to know.

What happened

President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a trade framework in Scotland last month that subjects European exports to a 15% tariff instead of the previously threatened 30%. In exchange, the U.S. faces no tariffs on exports to Europe.

Initially, Trump excluded pharmaceuticals and semiconductors from the deal, threatening separate 100% and 200% tariffs, respectively. New details released Thursday show both industries are now included in the 15% framework.

Trump has consistently pushed for domestic production of both sectors. "We want pharmaceuticals made in our country," Trump said during the original announcement.

The deal protects major European companies like Denmark's Novo Nordisk, which makes the weight-loss drug Ozempic, and Ireland's significant pharmaceutical manufacturing base.

Mixed reactions

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the agreement, saying it avoided "an unnecessary escalation in trans-Atlantic trade relations."

French officials criticized the deal, with one saying "Europe didn't wield its strength. We are the world's leading trading power."

What’s next

The deal remains incomplete, covering only 70% of EU goods entering the U.S., while 50% steel tariffs remain in place. Both sides described the agreement as the "first step in a process," suggesting further negotiations ahead.

I’ve got 2 minutes

The Trump administration will subject all 55 million foreign citizens holding U.S. visas to ongoing surveillance for signs of overstaying, terrorism, and criminal activity. The State Department announced the sweeping policy Friday as part of Trump's broader immigration crackdown targeting both undocumented and legal migrants. Here's what you need to know.

What the vetting involves

Immigration authorities will monitor visa holders using "law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light," according to a State Department official speaking to the Washington Post.

The process will also review social media accounts for signs of hostility toward the U.S., raising concerns among free speech advocates about revoking "visas based not on conduct but speech."

All temporary visa categories face review, including the 8.8 million business and tourism visas issued in 2024—nearly 80% of the 11 million temporary visas granted last year. Student and academic visas make up most of the remainder.

The State Department said it will revoke visas for "overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization."

Truck driver visa ban

Secretary of State Marco Rubio simultaneously announced a pause on commercial truck driving visas, citing a Florida crash that killed three people that was allegedly caused by someone in the U.S. illegally.

"The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives," Rubio wrote on X.

Broader crackdown

The administration has already revoked over twice as many visas and nearly four times as many student visas compared to the same period in 2024. Recent actions include revoking over 6,000 student visas for overstays or alleged crimes, and targeting students who participated in pro-Palestine protests.

What’s next

The "continuous vetting" is an escalation from traditional visa monitoring, with authorities now "gathering more information than ever," according to the State Department. Officials described the policy as part of their "commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety."

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