A World Grappling with Loss, Conflict, and the Shadow of Authoritarianism

News from March 2023

A tourist bus plunged into the Po River in the Italian city of Turin on March 26th. The driver was initially found alive by firefighters but later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Since the start of its war on October 7th, 2023, Israel has obliterated 70% of all buildings and 88% of Gaza's infrastructure. This level of devastation surpasses even the ruin of Germany after World War II.

President Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on auto imports, impacting some of America's favorite cars. While half of US car sales are domestic, auto giants from Japan, South Korea, and Germany are already feeling the market impact.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk is among over 300 international students who have had their visas revoked due to their advocacy for Gaza.

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with tremors felt as far as Thailand's capital Bangkok. The earthquake caused significant damage, including the collapse of an under-construction apartment block.

The UN reports that Israel has stopped the entry of food, medicine, fuel, and other basic essentials into Gaza. Local authorities have declared the first stage of famine in the besieged enclave.

Israel carried out an air strike on a residential building in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, after sharing an evacuation order on March 28th. This was the first Israeli attack on Beirut since the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect in late November.

Vincent Warren, executive director of the Center for Constitutional Rights, expressed concerns about the detention of Turkish PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk by ICE agents, calling it an example of "unfolding authoritarianism" in the United States.