Trump Signals Major U.S. Troop Reduction in Germany Amid NATO Tensions and Trade Disputes 
Peru Election Results Under Scrutiny as JNE Calls for Comprehensive IT Audit 
Trump Signals Possible Renewal of U.S. Strikes on Iran 
Russian Forces Advance Toward Kostiantynivka as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine 
Iran Threatens Prolonged Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Drives Global Oil Surge 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
Kim Jong Un Highlights Youth Role in North Korea’s Military and Political Agenda 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
Merz Downplays Rift With Trump as U.S. Plans Troop Reduction in Germany 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
Judge Rules Use of Military Lawyers in Civilian Prosecutions Is Lawful 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
UAE Exits OAPEC Amid Shift Toward Independent Oil Strategy and Market Uncertainty 
Trump Announces “Project Freedom” to Aid Stranded Ships in Strait of Hormuz 
Lula Plans New Supreme Court Nomination After Historic Senate Rejection 
President Joe Biden made his first primetime address last week on what would mark a year since the lockdowns were officially put in place. In his remarks, Biden also addressed the increasing reports of hate crimes against the Asian American community.
Biden touched on the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the past year and called out the hate crimes being committed against Asian Americans. These hate crimes have since increased following the incendiary and xenophobic comments made by former President Donald Trump during the pandemic, referring to COVID-19 as the “China virus.” Biden condemned the increasing violence towards the Asian American community in his address and called for the attacks to end. The recent attacks, made towards elderly Asian Americans, have sparked outrage from the Asian American community, prompting lawmakers to respond to the issue.
“At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, are on the frontlines of this pandemic trying to save lives,” said Biden, noting that Asian Americans have since been blamed and treated as a scapegoat during the pandemic. “And still, they are forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America. It’s wrong, it’s un-American, and it must stop.”
A UN report released in 2020 found that since the outbreak of the coronavirus in the US, racially-motivated violence and other similar incidents against Asian Americans have hit an all-time high. The report cited incidents such as vandalism, physical assaults, and robberies towards Asian Americans and businesses and community centers.
Following the success of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan becoming law last week, Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, vice president Kamala Harris, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will be embarking on a cross-country tour this week to promote the American Rescue Plan. They will be touting the benefits of the sweeping plan that will help beat the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the economy.
The tour, titled “Help is Here,” will start Monday with Harris visiting Las Vegas, Nevada to visit a vaccination site and culinary academy. Dr. Biden will be visiting an elementary school in New Jersey. Biden will be visiting a small business in Delaware County in Pennsylvania on Tuesday.
