Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
This week, former Vice President Walter Mondale passed away at the age of 93. Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement honoring her predecessor and extending her condolences to Mondale’s family.
Harris released a statement through the White House honoring the life and career of Mondale, who, until this week, was the oldest living vice president. Mondale served as vice president to Jimmy Carter and was also a Democratic presidential nominee, making history at the time as having chosen Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. Harris recalled how she was able to speak with Mondale before he passed and extended her condolences to Mondale’s loved ones.
“Vice President Mondale was so generous with his wit and wisdom over the years. I was able to speak with him just a few days ago and thank him for his service and his steadfastness. I will miss him dearly, and my heart is with his family today. I hope they find comfort in knowing that he is with his beloved wife, Joan, and daughter, Eleanor, now -- and that his legacy will live on in all of us,” said Harris in the statement.
In other news, Harris also weighed in on the verdict by the jury in Minneapolis in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer responsible for killing George Floyd, sparking Black Lives Matter protests all over the country. Chauvin pleaded guilty on all three charges of second-degree manslaughter and second and third-degree murder.
Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash from the White House, Harris said that despite the verdict, Chauvin’s conviction would not erase the trauma that Black people have suffered for generations. Harris said that the conviction is only a “piece of it.” Harris previously reiterated that there should be consequences for people that break the law and to hold them accountable for doing so.
White House officials have revealed that Joe Biden is currently consulting with top advisers and Harris regarding the possible aftermath of the trials. They shared that Biden is seeking the best way to respond to the many possible outcomes. Harris did not disclose her private counsel to Biden on the matter.
