Macron Urges Emergency UN Security Council Meeting as US-Israel Strikes on Iran Escalate Middle East Tensions 
HHS Adds New Members to Vaccine Advisory Panel Amid Legal and Market Uncertainty 
EU Urges Maximum Restraint in Iran Conflict Amid Fears of Regional Escalation and Oil Supply Disruption 
AI is already creeping into election campaigns. NZ’s rules aren’t ready 
Russia Signals Openness to U.S. Security Guarantees for Ukraine at Geneva Peace Talks 
Israel Declares State of Emergency as Iran Launches Missile Attacks 
Trump Warns Iran as Gulf Conflict Disrupts Oil Markets and Global Trade 
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Israeli, U.S. Strikes: Reuters 
UK Accepts U.S. Request to Use British Bases for Defensive Strikes on Iranian Missiles 
Pentagon Leaders Monitor U.S. Iran Operation from Mar-a-Lago 
Middle East Conflict Escalates After Khamenei’s Death as U.S., Israel and Iran Exchange Strikes 
Suspected Drone Strike Hits RAF Akrotiri Base in Cyprus, Causing Limited Damage 
Zelenskiy Urges Change in Iran After U.S. and Israeli Strikes, Cites Drone Support for Russia 
Israel Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After Death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei 
Failure of US-Iran talks was all-too predictable – but Trump could still have stuck with diplomacy over strikes 
U.S. Deploys Tomahawks, B-2 Bombers, F-35 Jets and AI Tools in Operation Epic Fury Against Iran 
Does international law still matter? The strike on the girls’ school in Iran shows why we need it 
The weekend marked this year’s Easter Sunday, and President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden wished Americans a happy Easter. The Bidens also encouraged Americans who have yet to get vaccinated to do so.
The Bidens wished Americans a happy Easter on Sunday and encouraged those who have yet to get vaccinated to receive their shot. In their video message, shared on the official POTUS Twitter account, the Bidens echoed the comments of Pope Francis regarding getting vaccinated for COVID-19. This also comes as health officials ramp up vaccination efforts in order to prevent a fourth surge of infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported a record of four million vaccines administered to Americans in a span of 24 hours on Saturday.
“We share the sentiments of Pope Francis who said that getting vaccinated is a moral obligation, one that can save your life and the lives of others,” said Biden in the video. “By getting vaccinated and encouraging your congregations and your communities to get vaccinated, we not only can beat this virus, we can also haste the day when we can celebrate the holidays together.”
Dr. Biden also noted that there are businesses recovering and families receiving financial help as well as more Americans getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
As of Sunday, the CDC has reported that an overall 165 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have already been administered. 106 million of the overall population are recorded to have received at least one dose of the vaccine, while around 61 million people have been fully vaccinated.
But despite getting fully vaccinated, health officials still highly recommend wearing a face mask when in places where social distancing could not be practiced. The Department of Health and Human Services recently launched a contest on face mask designs called the $500,000 “Mask Innovation Challenge” where participants have until April 21 to come up with the best design for face masks that could get rid of common concerns such as skin irritation while still being effective in preventing transmission of the virus.
Up to 10 winners will be chosen in the first phase of the challenge, splitting the $100,000 prize. In the second phase of the challenge, five winners will be chosen, splitting a $400,000 prize.
