Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
With the impeachment trials over, the Senate is now moving to confirm Joe Biden’s nominees for his Cabinet. With OMB Director nominee Neera Tanden’s confirmation in the balance, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is working with Biden to gather support in order to make a confirmation.
Speaking at a news conference in New York over the weekend, Schumer said he is working with Biden to shore up support to vote for Tanden’s confirmation. Tanden’s confirmation appears to be in the balance among the Democratic majority as West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said that he would not vote to confirm Tanden for the post. With Manchin’s public opposition to Tanden, it would make the chances of her confirmation slip as Republicans have resisted. Biden recently said that he does not plan to pull Tanden’s nomination and expressed optimism that they will get the votes needed to confirm her.
People knowledgeable with the process told CNN that Tanden has already met with 35 Senators from both sides of the aisle. Tanden is expected to continue speaking with the lawmakers in an effort to gain support this week. Without Manchin’s support, the Democratic lawmakers would not be able to confirm Tanden on their own despite holding a very slim majority in the upper chamber. Manchin cited Tanden’s comments towards several Senators, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders made him doubt if Tanden was the best for the job. Tanden later apologized for her comments during her Senate hearing.
New Mexico Congresswoman Deb Haaland, the nominee for Interior Department Secretary pledged through her prepared statement ahead of her hearing that oil and natural gas remain a big part of the country for years to come. Haaland pledged her commitment to finding the balance as the agency would manage the development of energy while seeking to restore and protect lands owned by the federal government.
Haaland, who would be the first Native American to hold a Cabinet post if she is confirmed, is also expected to say that the public lands could be vehicles for clean energy production with the potential to create more jobs. This is believed to refute the criticism coming from GOP lawmakers that expressed concerns that Haaland’s opposition to drilling on federal lands would cost jobs and money.
