International Stabilization Force for Gaza Nears Deployment as U.S.-Led Planning Advances 
Supporters Gather Ahead of Verdict in Jimmy Lai’s Landmark Hong Kong National Security Trial 
Thousands Protest in Brazil Against Efforts to Reduce Jair Bolsonaro’s Prison Sentence 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
California, 18 States Sue to Block Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee 
Belarus Pledges to Halt Smuggling Balloons Into Lithuania 
Thailand Vows Continued Military Action Amid Cambodia Border Clash Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
New Epstein Photos Surface Showing Trump as Lawmakers Near Document Release Deadline 
Tunisia Protests Grow as Opposition Unites Against President Kais Saied’s Rule 
International Outcry Grows Over Re-Arrest of Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi in Iran 
U.S. Intelligence Briefly Curtailed Information Sharing With Israel Amid Gaza War Concerns 
Preservation Group Sues Trump Administration to Halt $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Global Leaders Condemn Deadly Antisemitic Shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach During Hanukkah 
Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Deal Over Sanctions 
Vice President Kamala Harris wraps up her visit to Southeast Asia this week in her visits to Singapore and Vietnam. Prior to visiting Hanoi, Harris’s trip to the country was delayed out of concerns of a possible incident of the so-called Havana syndrome.
After Harris’s visit to Singapore, her trip to Vietnam was delayed by a few hours, following concerns relayed to her office by the US Embassy in Vietnam of a possible mysterious health incident. The “anomalous” health incident is a term used by the government that refers to the Havana syndrome that has affected US diplomats over the years.
“Earlier this evening, the Vice President’s traveling delegation was delayed from departing Singapore because the Vice President’s office was made aware of a report of a recent possible anomalous health incident in Hanoi, Vietnam. After careful assessment, the decision was made to continue with the Vice President’s trip,” said US Embassy Hanoi spokesperson Rachel Chen.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also assured reporters during the press briefing at the time of Harris’s safety. Psaki was also pressed on whether Harris or her staff were possibly being targeted, and she said that no additional assessments were made during the time. However, Psaki confirmed that the officials that were affected by the mysterious health issue were not traveling with Harris but did not say how many officials suffered from the mysterious condition.
During Harris’s visit to Vietnam, making her the first US Vice President to visit the country, she gave the assurance that the US government will continue to work with its allies to protect the women and children that may get left behind in Afghanistan in light of the recent evacuation efforts being made.
“There’s no question that any of us who are paying attention are concerned about that issue in Afghanistan,” said the vice president regarding the protection of women and children in the war-torn country that has now surrendered to the Taliban.
Harris’s visit also comes as the Biden administration looks to restore ties with Asian countries, especially as tensions remain with China and its rising influence over the region.
