Haiti Transitional Council Pushes to Remove Prime Minister Despite U.S. Warnings 
Japan Snap Election Sparks Bond Yield Surge as Parties Clash Over Fiscal and Monetary Policy 
U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Visit Azerbaijan and Armenia Following Historic Peace Deal 
Taiwan President Offers Cooperation With Ukraine to Combat Sanctions Evasion 
U.N. Human Rights Council Condemns Iran Over Deadly Crackdown on Protests 
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi Stall as Energy Crisis Deepens 
NATO, Trump, and Arctic Security: Greenland Talks Highlight Rising Russia-China Concerns 
United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Public Health Concerns 
U.S. Backs Iraq’s Move to Detain ISIS Fighters, Urges Global Repatriation 
Russia, U.S., and Ukraine Plan Abu Dhabi Security Talks as Moscow Stresses Territorial Demands 
Russian Drone Attack Hits Kyiv and Kharkiv Amid Ongoing Peace Talks 
Iran Warns of All-Out War Response as U.S. Sends Aircraft Carrier to Middle East 
Trump Pushes Back on 401(k) Homebuyer Plan Amid Housing Affordability Debate 
Keir Starmer Condemns Trump’s Afghanistan Remarks as European Allies Push Back 
Trump Reverses Course on Greenland After Diplomatic Backlash 
Trump Calls for Prosecution of Jack Smith After Congressional Testimony 
New York Judge Orders Redrawing of GOP-Held Congressional District 
President Joe Biden’s administration made a major legislative achievement last week when the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief plan was signed into law after passing the House and the Senate. With the process of distributing stimulus checks underway, Americans have already begun receiving their payments over the weekend.
The third round of stimulus payments has already begun over the weekend following the previous two rounds signed into law by then-President Donald Trump. However, compared to the previous payments, this one was undoubtedly more substantial at $1400 but there will be Americans who will not be eligible to receive this payment after qualifying for the first two. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last week that the checks are only the first wave and there will be more over the coming weeks.
“The checks are going to start arriving today,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on “The Sunday Show” at MSNBC. “New Yorkers should start receiving the checks today, and many of them will get them this week. We promise that. Republicans blocked it. We said put us in power. We get it done.” The passage of the sweeping stimulus plan was done on party lines without any Republican support.
Americans who make less than $75,000 or heads of households that make less than $112,500 qualify to receive the full $1,400 payment. Those who earn less than $80,000 and heads of households that make less than $120,000 can also qualify but for reduced payments. Parents are also able to receive $1,400 more for every child listed on their tax returns, including their children over 18 years old.
Meanwhile, Biden weighed in on the current sexual harassment allegations made against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo over the weekend as well. Biden was pressed on whether or not he thinks Cuomo should resign, following calls from Schumer as well as many Congressional delegates from New York that the governor should step down. White House officials have previously stressed the seriousness of the allegations but did not call for Cuomo’s resignation.
“I think the investigation is underway and we should see what it brings us,” Biden told reporters.
