Belarus Frees Opposition Leaders Maria Kalesnikava and Viktar Babaryka in U.S.-Brokered Deal 
Sydney Bondi Beach Terror Attack Kills 16, Sparks Gun Law and Security Debate 
Jimmy Lai Convicted Under Hong Kong National Security Law in Landmark Case 
European Leaders Launch International Claims Commission to Compensate Ukraine for War Damage 
Federal Judge Declines to Immediately Halt Trump’s $300 Million White House Ballroom Project 
Hong Kong Democratic Party Disbands After Member Vote Amid Security Crackdown 
U.S. Suspends UK Technology Deal Amid Trade Disputes Under Trump Administration 
Pakistan’s Army Chief Faces Gaza Troop Dilemma Amid US Pressure 
Taiwan Political Standoff Deepens as President Lai Urges Parliament to Withdraw Disputed Laws 
U.S. and Mexico Reach New Agreement to Tackle Tijuana River Sewage Crisis 
European Leaders Tie Ukraine Territorial Decisions to Strong Security Guarantees 
Ukraine Claims First-Ever Underwater Drone Strike on Russian Missile Submarine 
Syria Arrests Five Suspects After Deadly Attack on U.S. and Syrian Troops in Palmyra 
Trump Sues BBC for Defamation Over Edited Capitol Riot Speech Clip 
Trump’s Rob Reiner Remarks Spark Bipartisan Outrage After Tragic Deaths 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
The UK’s royals usually maintain an apolitical stance and do not comment on political events. With Meghan Markle already lightly treading into political territory, a royal commentator predicted that she may invite vice president Kamala Harris onto their podcast.
Even as they have already stepped down from their senior royal positions, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex still have to maintain an apolitical stance as they still carry their official titles. Given the support both women have for each other, a collaboration may likely happen, according to a piece written by Rosa Silverman. People familiar with the matter revealed to Silverman that there is a feeling of solidarity between the Duchess and the vice president as they have similar backgrounds and viewpoints.
Silverman wrote that while Harris is a serious politician and does not usually choose to spend time with celebrities often, an opportunity to meet and talk with the Duchess of Sussex may be too good an opportunity to pass. This was when Silverman suggested that Harris featuring on Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell podcast may be the way for the two women to communicate.
“Why this could work: It would serve as a one-off collaboration to discuss and promote some shared aims and interests before Harris becomes too busy to enter into such enterprises with figures like Meghan,” wrote Silverman. “What not to expect: A whole podcast series with loads of unscripted jokes.”
Weeks prior to weighing in the possibility of a collaboration, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched a deal with Spotify worth over $30 million. They released the first episode of their Archewell podcast in December.
Meanwhile, Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff received their second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine this week. The vaccines were administered to the couple at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Harris is now fully vaccinated, following Joe Biden, who received his second dose earlier this month.
Infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci was also present when the second dose was administered. Harris and Emhoff received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, while Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
