Hello, you're listening to the free edition of the world in brief from The Economist.

As a reminder, if you subscribe to The Economist, you'll get access to a deeper look at the day ahead, updated three times a day.

If you're already an Economist subscriber, visit

economist.com slash espresso or visit our espresso app to start listening. Here's today's

free edition.

This is the world in brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

The Trump administration blocked Harvard University from enrolling foreign students,

revoking a certification that allows the school to host non-Americans on certain visas.

Christy Noam, America's Homeland Security Secretary, said the action follows Harvard's failure

to turn over information about alleged misconduct by foreign students and called it a warning to other institutions.

Harvard said the move was unlawful.

America's House of Representatives passed Republicans' budget bill by a single vote,

handing Donald Trump a major political win.

The legislation extends tax cuts and reduces spending on the social safety net.

It is projected to add about $3 trillion to the federal debt over a decade.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where some Republicans object to parts of it.

A spit decision on America's Supreme Court halted a plan to open the country's first religious charter school in Oklahoma. Justice Amy Coney-Barrett recused herself, leaving the judges

deadlocked on the motion. The tie lets a lower court ruling stand,

blocking the Catholic-run school. The decision sets no national precedent,

but highlights legal uncertainty over government funding for religious public schools.

A judge cleared the way for a sovereignty deal between Britain and Mauritius

...