Iran Rejects U.S.-Backed Ceasefire as Trump Escalates Military Threats, Oil Tops $100 
Canada Opens Gordie Howe Bridge Without U.S. Officials as Trump Tariff Tensions Persist 
Trump Says No Decision on Major Iran Strikes as U.S.-Tehran Talks Intensify 
Trump Orders Warning Signs Outside Smithsonian Museum Over ‘Anti-American’ Exhibits 
Global Leaders Push Back as Trump Imposes New Forced Labor Tariffs 
Trump Threatens Iran With 'Major Military Punishment' as Red Sea Attacks Push Oil Above $100 
Arizona Primaries Set High-Stakes Governor and House Battles Ahead of Midterm Elections 
ASEAN Forum Puts Middle East Conflict, South China Sea Tensions in Spotlight 
UN Reappoints Volker Turk as Human Rights Chief Despite U.S., Russia, Israel Opposition 
Trump Orders Section 301 Probe Into EU Tech Fines, Signals New Tariffs 
Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv Region Kills 10, Sparks Probe Into Defense Industry Event 
Trump Praises Nigeria’s Tinubu, Signaling Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Security Ties 
Russia Says It Hit Ukrainian Ports, Cargo Ships in Odesa and Chornomorsk 
Trump Administration Imposes New Forced Labor Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners 
Appeals Court Rejects Trump Bid to Reinstate $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Trump to Deliver ‘Unifying Yet Vicious’ Speech at White House Correspondents’ Dinner Amid Heightened Security 
US Military Completes 13th Straight Night of Iran Strikes as Trump Warns of Further Action 
Joe Biden has already reached out to world leaders to reaffirm relations while also expressing concerns. With Biden as the new US leader, he will be meeting with Queen Elizabeth this year prior to the upcoming G7 Summit in the UK.
The Sunday Times has reported that the Queen will be hosting Biden in a “soft power” reception in June along with other world leaders ahead of the G7 Summit in Cornwall. The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, are expected to be present at the event at Buckingham Palace. Plans to further solidify the relationship between the US and the UK are already in the works by both government and royal officials. This would not only be the first one-on-one meeting between Biden and the Queen, but the outlet also said it would be the monarch’s first official engagement since her return to London.
Throughout the pandemic, the Queen was practicing social distancing at Windsor Castle. However, officials have confirmed that in January, she and Prince Phillip have received the COVID-19 vaccination. Although an official announcement has yet to be made, the Queen has already reached out to Biden prior to his inauguration last January 20 to wish him congratulations on his election victory.
Biden’s victory and inauguration evidently brought relief among allies in Europe, especially in Germany. However, Chancellor Angela Merkel was quick to say that she will not always agree with Biden on everything and that Europe must take on more responsibility in the world both on military and a diplomatic scale. Although this was evident even from when Biden was still a vice president to Barack Obama, where the two clashed over arms deals with Ukraine.
“Don’t think that from tomorrow there will only be harmony between us,” said Merkel to the press a day after Biden was inaugurated. “There will also be arguments about how best to do things for our two countries.”
Nevertheless, Merkel expressed optimism towards Biden and his administration especially surrounding the future of their transatlantic relationship. The Chancellor noted that they will most definitely agree on more things compared to Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump.
