Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’ 
Iran Holds State Funeral for Ali Khamenei as Security Fears Shape Succession 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
UN Warns of Looming Human Rights Catastrophe in Sudan’s Al-Obeid 
Trump Accounts Now Accept Stock Donations as Treasury Launches New Child Investment Program 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
Air Force Investigates Officer After Capitol Protest Calling for Trump, Vance Impeachment 
Khamenei Funeral Draws Thousands as Iran Stages Nationwide Week of Mourning 
NRC Proposes Radiation Rule Changes to Boost U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion Under Trump 
US Ambassador Prioritizes Cook Islands Critical Minerals, Warns of China’s Pacific Influence 
France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
DHS Investigates Cyber Breach in Homeland Security Information-Sharing Network 
Russia’s Deadly Kyiv Missile and Drone Attack Kills 27 as Zelensky Urges Faster Air Defense Support 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
The coronavirus pandemic poses a big challenge in the upcoming elections in November, disrupting rallies and now even fundraising events. A report reveals that former vice president Joe Biden’s fundraising events have now been postponed.
Biden continues to gain momentum after leading the race to become the Democratic presidential nominee. Politico reports that the Biden campaign has now postponed the in-person fundraisers for the campaign, and instead makes all efforts to accept donations virtually and hold virtual events like conference calls and or through videos. Although this method’s effectivity has yet to be tested, this was done to further prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which has already led the campaign to cancel scheduled events in Miami, Chicago, and the Tri-state area.
Despite the dent in the momentum, the candidate is gaining following victories in many key states during the primaries because of the coronavirus crisis, Biden allies are now working on ways to campaign without contact. Los Angeles-based former Biden speechwriter Matthew Littman, for one, already sent out an email proposing a Biden fundraiser that will be held later in the month through a video conference. The conference will involve an exclusive briefing with the campaign staff, a message from Biden, and a question and answer portion for up to 50 people who would be requested to donate $1,000 each.
As of now, the Biden campaign is currently discussing how to move forward with the team of public health experts that Biden introduced as his way of implementing measures to ensure the safety of everyone. Ron Klain, Zeke Emanuel, and Vivek Murphy are among the Obama administration officials who were brought together.
The backers of former Democrat candidates have also decided to back Biden on his campaign as well after the former vice president became the more likely option to be the Democrat nominee.
In other related news, the former acting attorney general of the Department of Justice, Sally Yates, has publicly announced her support for Biden. Yates, who served in the post in the last two years of the Obama/Biden administration, released her statement explaining her support for her former colleague. She joins former Secretary of State John Kerry, former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and former National Security adviser Susan Rice among many other Obama administration officials to endorse Biden.
