Amy Coney Barrett Faces Conservative Backlash After Key Supreme Court Rulings Against Trump 
State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’ 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
Taiwan Simulates Chinese Blockade and Invasion in Major Civil Defense Drill 
Khamenei Funeral Draws Thousands as Iran Stages Nationwide Week of Mourning 
Trump Offers to Help Advance Ukraine Peace Talks in Call With Putin 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
Venezuela Interim President Defends Earthquake Response as Death Toll Climbs 
JD Vance Says Britain Needs Major Political Change as Leadership Transition Looms 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
UN Warns of Looming Human Rights Catastrophe in Sudan’s Al-Obeid 
US Appeals Court Limits ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings After 90 Days 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
US President Joe Biden has reversed many of his predecessor’s policies since taking office in January. This week, his administration has suspended oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, as part of one of his reversals of Trump-era policies.
The Biden administration has suspended the oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in the order made by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as part of the moratorium imposed by Biden on oil and gas activities. This is a reversal of the Trump administration’s approval of a drilling program in the region and a likely revival of a political debate over a region that has many polar bears and wildlife aside from a supply of oil.
The executive order issued by Biden when he took office on January 20 suggests a new environmental review is required to address potential legal setbacks in the drilling program that was approved by the 2017 law enacted by Congress. Following the environmental review, the Interior Department announced that there were flaws “in the underlying record of decision supporting the leases, including the lack of analysis of a reasonable range of alternatives” stated in the National Environmental Policy Act.
Republicans and those in the oil industry have been pushing to gain access to the refuge that is believed to be sacred by the Indigenous Gwich’in, for drilling. This has been staunchly opposed by Democrats, environmental groups, and Alaskan Native tribes, who have been attempting to block it. The recent order was criticized by the Republican-controlled Alaska state legislature.
Meanwhile, Biden announced that June would be a “month of action” this week as his administration aims to get 70 percent of American adults vaccinated for COVID-19 by July 4. Biden noted the progress that was made, and urged Americans, especially those under 40 years old, to join in the effort to get vaccinated.
Biden detailed a five-part plan in his remarks from the White House and appointed Vice President Kamala Harris and other administration officials to tour the country and spread information about the vaccines. Biden noted that there would be incentives for Americans if they get vaccinated, such as tax credits for employers, paid leave to get vaccines, free childcare for parents and caregivers to get vaccinated, and free beer as well as complimentary rides to and from vaccination centers.
