LePage Wins GOP Nomination in Key Maine House Race Ahead of 2026 Election 
Lebanese President Urges Israel to Negotiate End to Conflict, Calls Military Approach Ineffective 
Randy Villegas Advances to Face David Valadao in Key California Congressional Race 
Trump Administration Urges Judge to Allow UFC Event on White House Lawn 
Ukraine and Latvia Sign Drone Defense Deal to Boost Military Cooperation in 2026 
Peru Election 2026: Tight Race Between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sanchez Boosts Markets 
Trump Nears Decision on Permanent U.S. Intelligence Chief as FISA Renewal Faces Senate Resistance 
US House Approves $70 Billion Immigration Enforcement Funding Bill, Ending Congressional Deadlock 
Trump Administration Defends Anthropic AI Restrictions in Ongoing Federal Lawsuit 
Mauritius Rejects Report of Trump Administration Plan to Buy Chagos Islands 
US Launches Retaliatory Strikes on Iran After Helicopter Incident 
Steve Hilton and Xavier Becerra Advance to California Governor Election After Primary Results 
Kosovo Election 2026: Albin Kurti’s Party Wins Most Votes but Falls Short of Majority 
Zelenskiy Praises Positive Talks With U.S. Envoys as Ukraine Peace Efforts Regain Momentum 
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended as Member States Consider Removal 
Peru Election 2026: Sanchez Takes Narrow Lead Over Fujimori 
Switzerland Population Cap Referendum Sparks Economic and Immigration Debate 
US Vice President Kamala Harris this week addressed maternal health in the country. In a recent White House event, Harris also introduced a plan to lower the US maternal mortality rate.
At the White House Maternal Health event, Harris unveiled the administration’s plan to tackle the high maternal mortality rate. The plan includes improvements to pregnancy and postpartum care.
“Maternal mortality and morbidity is a serious crisis and one that endangers both public health and economic growth,” said Harris at the event.
The plan would call for states to expand the postpartum coverage under Medicaid from two to 12 months, as well as assigning “birth-friendly” hospitals. Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have updated its guidelines for state Medicaid programs in order to expand coverage and begin the process of choosing the best health centers for mothers to receive maternal care.
Harris said during the event that a group made up of 20 companies and nonprofits have pledged $20 million for improving maternal health in the US and $150 million worldwide.
The US maternal mortality rates are high compared to other developed countries, especially in recent years, twice the number in France, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Black and Native American women are also more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women. Maternal health is also part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better Act, with a $3 billion investment in maternal health initiatives.
This follows US President Joe Biden’s signing into law the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, providing $15 million for childbirth preparation classes, parenting classes, and breastfeeding support for veterans.
In other related news, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in confirming another Biden nominee for judiciary posts. Rachael Rollins was confirmed by the Senate this week, making her the first Black woman to become the US attorney for Massachusetts. Rollins’ confirmation was done through party lines, making it the first time a Biden-nominated candidate for a position was not confirmed unanimously.
Rollins, a progressive prosecutor in Boston, was long-awaited to be confirmed due to several delays and opposition from Senate Republicans.
