US Plans Closer Coordination With Erik Prince-Linked Security Firm in Haiti Amid Drone Strike Concerns 
Maduro U.S. Drug Trafficking Trial Set for June 2027 as Immunity Defense Looms 
Juan Orlando Hernandez Seeks Dismissal of Honduras Charges After Trump Pardon 
ASEAN Forum Puts Middle East Conflict, South China Sea Tensions in Spotlight 
Trump Pushes Election Security Message at Georgia Rally Ahead of Midterm Senate Race 
US-Iran War Enters 11th Day as Costs Climb to $37.5 Billion, Trump Warns of More Strikes 
Arizona Primaries Set High-Stakes Governor and House Battles Ahead of Midterm Elections 
Global Leaders Push Back as Trump Imposes New Forced Labor Tariffs 
Russia Says It Hit Ukrainian Ports, Cargo Ships in Odesa and Chornomorsk 
Rubio Rejects AI ‘Kill Switch’ Claims as U.S. Defends American Technology Abroad 
EEOC Drops Penn Subpoena in Antisemitism Probe, Investigation Continues 
Russian Bomb Strikes Hit Zaporizhzhia, Sloviansk, Injuring Dozens in Eastern Ukraine 
US-Mexico USMCA Talks Advance as Auto Rules Remain Major Sticking Point 
Trump Education Department Removes Disparate Impact Rules, Sparking Civil Rights Backlash 
Trump Threatens Iran With 'Major Military Punishment' as Red Sea Attacks Push Oil Above $100 
The death toll of the US from the COVID-19 pandemic has reached the 900,000 mark as millions of citizens remain infected by the virus. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led Congress in a moment of silence at the Capitol to mark the number of deaths.
This week, Nancy Pelosi and members of Congress stood at the steps of the Capitol Monday night for a moment of silence in remembering the 900,000 people who died from COVID-19. With congressional leaders standing in front, Pelosi joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, all wearing face masks and holding lanterns, the event also included the United Army Chorus singing two songs.
The 900,000 mark follows two months after the country reached 800,000 deaths from the coronavirus, especially as the emergence of the Delta and the Omicron variants resulted in a surge of infections and deaths. Only one member of Congress passed away from COVID-19, Republican congressman Ron Wright. Republican Luke Letlow, who was elected during the 2020 elections, passed away before he was sworn into office.
Following the emergence of the highly contagious Omicron variant, a dozen members of the House tested positive. This includes House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn. Since December, 42 members of the House and eight Senators have tested positive for COVID-19.
US President Joe Biden also marked the grim milestone Friday last week with a statement urging the public to get vaccinated or get their booster shots when they are able to.
In other related news, Pelosi has given her support to congressional staffers who choose to unionize. This follows the emergence of an Instagram account called “Dear White Staffers” that revealed the low pay and lack of diversity on Capitol Hill. The comments follow a press conference when she was pressed on whether she supports unionization efforts and what she thought of the Instagram account.
“Like all Americans, our tireless Congressional staff have the right to organize their workplace and join together in a union. If and when staffers choose to exercise that right, they would have Speaker Pelosi’s full support,” tweeted Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff Drew Hammill.
