Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many Americans in the country financially as many are unemployed and in danger of losing their homes throughout this time. President Joe Biden announced that he is extending the ban on foreclosures as well as mortgage relief until June.
Biden announced on Tuesday that he would be giving a three-month-extension on the ban of home foreclosures for federally-backed homes. Along with the extension of the foreclosure ban, Biden also extended mortgage relief in an effort to stabilize the country’s housing affordability crisis in the midst of a pandemic. The moratorium on foreclosures was set to expire on March 31 and with the extension, will now be until June 30. This is also the second time Biden has extended the ban after using one on his first day in office shortly after getting sworn in as President.
The administration also announced an enrollment window to request a mortgage payment forbearance that will allow borrowers to pause or reduce mortgage payments until June 30 as well. The program was also expected to end in March. As a result, the federal government will allow borrowers to defer mortgage payments for six months more. Those eligible for the program must have been enrolled in a forbearance plan back in June 2020. There are 2.7 million homeowners enrolled in the program.
The White House released a statement assuring the public of Biden’s commitment to protecting homeownership and housing stability in the midst of a pandemic. The extended protections are partly aimed towards communities of color that have been disproportionately affected throughout this time.
During his town hall in Wisconsin, Biden said he would not get rid of $50,000 of student debt, in response to an audience member calling on him to commit to canceling at least up to the amount. However, Biden noted that he is open to some loan forgiveness and he understands the burden of having student loans, citing the loans that his children accumulated when they studied in private universities. Biden also stressed that he could not erase $50,000 of student debt on his own as it would require congressional action.
“My point is: I understand the impact of debt, and it can be debilitating,” said Biden. “I am prepared to write off the $10,000 debt but not $50 because I don’t think I have the authority to do it.”
