Imports from Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu will now be subject to tariffs, now that the Trump administration has officially closed the de minimis loophole. Editor’s note: mentions of death.

Happening in the World: The Trump administration has officially closed the de minimis loophole, which allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. tariff-free if shipped directly to consumers. This move primarily targets low-cost imports from Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu, which had used the rule to sidestep Trump-era tariffs of up to 145%. The administration cited multiple concerns, including unfair competition harming U.S. manufacturers, threats to warehousing and logistics jobs, and the use of these shipments for fentanyl trafficking. (BBC)

Happening in the US: President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to end federal funding for U.S. public media, including PBS and NPR, citing alleged liberal bias in their reporting. While NPR and PBS rely heavily on donations, CPB funds still account for around 10-15% of their budgets—more in rural areas, where public broadcasting is often the primary source of local news. (Reuters)

Happening in NYC: A 46-year-old man, Luis Jose-Duarte, was charged with manslaughter for fatally stabbing 38-year-old John Sheldon during a fight on a Manhattan-bound No. 5 subway train last Friday morning. The altercation reportedly began after one man stepped on the other’s shoe and escalated into a deadly confrontation at the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station. After stabbing Sheldon in the chest, Jose-Duarte fled but was arrested five days later. This incident marks the first subway homicide of 2025. Jose-Duarte’s lawyer described him as a devoted father and longtime maintenance worker, calling him innocent. (NYT)

Happening in our Community: The Sakıp Sabancı Center for Turkish Studies is hosting a free public screening of the documentary Antoine the Fortunate on Friday from 12 to 1:45 pm at Schermerhorn Hall, Room 612, Columbia University. The screening will be followed by a conversation with the film’s director, Prof. Nefin Dinç, and historian Prof. Edhem Eldem. The film explores the life of Antoine Köpe, an Austro-Hungarian citizen born in Istanbul in 1897, and his family’s experiences during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the rise of modern Turkey. More information is available here.

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