State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’ 
JD Vance Says Britain Needs Major Political Change as Leadership Transition Looms 
Trump Offers to Help Advance Ukraine Peace Talks in Call With Putin 
Russia Claims Capture of Kostiantynivka as Putin Pushes Donetsk Offensive 
Amy Coney Barrett Faces Conservative Backlash After Key Supreme Court Rulings Against Trump 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
Zelenskiy Urges Trump’s Support to Help End Russia-Ukraine War 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
DHS Investigates Cyber Breach in Homeland Security Information-Sharing Network 
Trump Accounts Now Accept Stock Donations as Treasury Launches New Child Investment Program 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
Russian Attacks Kill Six Across Ukraine as Kyiv Mourns Deadly Strike 
Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Missile and Drone Attack Kills 27 as Zelensky Urges Faster Air Defense Support 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
The recent shooting of Daunte Wright has increased calls for police reform, the latest incident of a law enforcement official shooting an unarmed Black man. Former president and first lady Barack and Michelle Obama have now called for police reform in their statement mourning Wright’s death.
The couple released a joint statement condemning the death of Wright, who was fatally shot by police officer Kim Potter in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Police reports revealed that Potter mistook her taser with her gun and opened fire. Coincidentally, Wright’s death comes as the trial of Derek Chauvin over the murder of George Floyd is currently taking place.
The Obamas extended their condolences to Wright’s family in the statement, urging for police reforms while directing readers to advocacy groups to find resources on trauma and mental health. Protests have since erupted in the area shortly after Wright’s death, but Wright’s family has urged that the protests should be peaceful.
“Our hearts are heavy with yet another shooting of a Black man, Daunte Wright, at the hands of the police,” the couple said in the statement. “The fact that this could happen even in the city of Minneapolis is going through the trial of Derek Chauvin and reliving the heart-wrenching murder of George Floyd indicates not just how important it is to conduct a full and transparent investigation, but also just how badly we need to reimagine policing and public safety in this country.”
In other news, the former president is set to appear with his former colleague and now-president Joe Biden in a tv special to promote COVID-19 vaccinations. The one-hour special, titled “Roll Up Your Sleeves,” will be airing on Sunday, April 18, on NBC and is part of their efforts to convince reluctant Americans to receive their vaccine.
The tv special also follows the news of a pause in the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after it was reported that six women experienced blood clots that were of a “rare and severe” type. The Biden administration is looking to further combat vaccine hesitancy among Americans who have yet to get a jab. Biden will make remarks while the former president will be alongside NBA stars Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal to promote the vaccines.
