Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Senators Warn Trump Against Unauthorized Venezuela Strike, Vow War Powers Push 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
Trump Administration Plans Major Rollback of Biden-Era Fuel Economy Standards 
Putin Concludes High-Level Talks With Trump Envoy on Ending Ukraine Conflict 
This week, US President Joe Biden hosted outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House. Aside from discussing issues, both have also found common ground in standing up against potential global threats like Russia.
In their first bilateral meeting, Biden and Merkel met at the White House, a first in-person meeting with a European leader since Biden took office back in January. During their meeting, the pair discussed a range of issues while also agreeing to disagree when it comes to the issue of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It would also be Merkel’s final meeting with Biden as the German Chancellor as Merkel is set to leave office in September.
The meeting is also part of the US’ efforts to re-establish relations with its allies and partners as relations with other countries were put under strain during Donald Trump’s presidency. In a joint press conference, the pair also reaffirmed the US-Germany relationship while also reaffirming their commitment to stand up against threats posed by Russia as well as China.
When it came to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, both leaders agreed on the fact that Russia should not use energy as a weapon. They also said that both countries are committed to defending their NATO allies in the eastern flank against Russian aggression as well as democratic principles and human rights. Biden and Merkel also discussed the travel restrictions that are currently in place because of the pandemic, and when it would be safe to lift the restrictions on traveling from Europe to the US.
Biden also took the opportunity to pay tribute to Merkel as she prepares to leave office this year. “On a personal note, I must tell you I will miss seeing you at our summits,” he said about the German leader, who has worked with four US presidents during her tenure.
The US leader was also pressed on the current situation going on in both Cuba and Haiti as both countries are currently facing a crisis. Cuban residents have taken to the streets to protest against the government while Haiti was struck with the assassination of its president, Jovenel Moise.
“Cuba is, unfortunately, a failed state and repressing their citizens,” said Biden during the press conference. “They’ve cut off access to the internet. We’re considering whether we have the technological ability to reinstate that access.”
