Honduras Election Turmoil Intensifies as Nasralla Blames Trump for Shift in Results 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
This week, the husband of Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, Richard Blum, passed away after a long battle of cancer. Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement, paying tribute to the late businessman.
Harris released a statement on the passing of Blum after a long battle with cancer over the weekend. Blum was 86 years old. The late financier was married to Feinstein since 1980, who confirmed his passing.
“Dick Blum believed we could build a world that respected the rights and essential dignity of all people. As a businessman, a Regent of the University of California, a philanthropist, and an advocate for human rights, Dick dedicated his life to furthering that vision. Our nation and world are better for his work,” said Harris in her statement.
Blum served as chairman of an equity investment management firm. Blum also founded the American Himalayan Foundation in 1981, and Feinstein called AHF one of his greatest achievements.
“AHF’s mission was to help the Sherpas and people across the Himalaya who had nowhere else to turn,” the organization said in a statement. “Through his committed leadership, 40 years later, AHF continues that work in health, education, and environment and cultural preservation.”
US President Joe Biden also issued a statement on Blum’s passing and referred to the late businessman as a “friend” and a “man of personal decency and generosity.”
In other related news, Harris hosted a Black History Month event at the White House, where she took a moment to celebrate the nomination of DC federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Harris made the remarks during her speech about voting rights, saying that she is full of pride and hope, pointing out that this nomination is another reason why elections are important.
Jackson would become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and would be succeeding Justice Stephen Breyer, who announced his retirement this year. Jackson would require a simple majority of votes in the Senate to be confirmed, with Harris as the tie-breaking vote. Jackson is also expected to meet with senators in the coming weeks before she is grilled by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
