ASEAN Forum Puts Middle East Conflict, South China Sea Tensions in Spotlight 
Russia Says It Hit Ukrainian Ports, Cargo Ships in Odesa and Chornomorsk 
US Probes Possible Russian Role in Iranian Drone Strikes on CIA Sites 
Trump Administration Imposes New Forced Labor Tariffs on 60 Trading Partners 
Arizona Primaries Set High-Stakes Governor and House Battles Ahead of Midterm Elections 
Iran Rejects U.S.-Backed Ceasefire as Trump Escalates Military Threats, Oil Tops $100 
US-Mexico USMCA Talks Advance as Auto Rules Remain Major Sticking Point 
Trump Pushes Election Security Message at Georgia Rally Ahead of Midterm Senate Race 
Amish Shah Wins Arizona Democratic Primary in Key U.S. House Race 
Juan Orlando Hernandez Seeks Dismissal of Honduras Charges After Trump Pardon 
US Investigates Moonshot Over Alleged Use of Advanced AI Chips and IP Theft 
US Military Completes 13th Straight Night of Iran Strikes as Trump Warns of Further Action 
US Plans Closer Coordination With Erik Prince-Linked Security Firm in Haiti Amid Drone Strike Concerns 
Rubio Urges Global Isolation of Nicaragua After Ortega Vows to End Elections 
US-Backed Pediatric HIV Treatment Drops After Foreign Aid Changes, Study Finds 
Russian Bomb Strikes Hit Zaporizhzhia, Sloviansk, Injuring Dozens in Eastern Ukraine 
Global Leaders Push Back as Trump Imposes New Forced Labor Tariffs 
US Vice President Kamala Harris is also the chair of the country’s National Space Council that is set to hold a meeting this week. This is also the first meeting of the National Space Council, with her as the chair.
The first meeting Harris will have with the National Space Council will be on December 1. Harris previously announced the date during her remarks at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The meeting is expected to be streamed live by the White House and NASA. Other details have yet to be disclosed.
“And at that meeting, we will outline a comprehensive framework for our nation’s space priorities, from our civilian efforts...to our military and national security efforts to STEM education and the emerging space economy,” said Harris during her remarks.
The National Space Council was started in 1989 by George H.W. Bush but was disbanded four years later. Donald Trump revived the NSC in 2017, which is usually chaired by the Vice President. Harris’s predecessor Mike Pence chaired eight meetings with the NSC, the last meeting of which was in December of 2020, where he introduced the 18 astronauts that will take part in NASA’s Artemis space program.
It remains to be seen what Harris and the NSC will focus on during their meeting. However, the issue of climate change is likely going to be on the agenda -- an issue that Harris stressed during her remarks at the Goddard Space Flight Center back in November.
In other related news, many have turned their attention to the 2024 presidential races as speculation is rife as to whether US President Joe Biden is seeking a second term or not. If Biden does not seek re-election in 2024, a HillxHarris poll showed that Harris, along with former first lady Michelle Obama, is being favored to become the Democratic nominee for president.
The poll showed that 13 percent would vote for Harris, while 10 percent would vote for Obama. Despite many hoping that Obama would run, the former first lady has previously made it clear that she is not interested in running for office.
