UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Trump Claims He Will Void Biden Documents Signed with Autopen 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Vice President Kamala Harris is now reaching out to other world leaders on behalf of Joe Biden to reaffirm relations with the US. In her recent call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Harris expressed the US’ commitment to strengthening ties with France.
A brief statement from the White House released the details of Harris’ call to Macron this week. Harris expressed the commitment of the administration to revive the transatlantic alliance and the relationship between the United States and France. The two leaders also affirmed the need to strengthen global cooperation in order to fight the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the support for democracy on a domestic and global level.
Harris and Macron also discussed the current regional challenges that would call for cooperation between the two countries such as the situation in Africa and the Middle East. Harris also thanked Macron for his stance and leadership on gender equality and for France’s contribution to the NASA Perseverance Rover that is already set to land on Mars this year.
The recent calls to other world leaders by Harris indicates her increasing role in foreign policy, as Biden has already indicated by having her close by in many events to further his political and policy agendas. Prior to Macron, Harris also spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the first world leader that she has reached out to. Biden had already spoken to Trudeau and Macron in January not long after he was sworn in as President. The increasing engagement with other nations also indicates the Biden administration’s contrast from the Trump administration, whose America First policy led to the withdrawing of the US from other global organizations and agreements.
Valentine’s Day was celebrated during the weekend, and Harris recently shared photos of her and Biden in the vice president’s office, where Biden once occupied as he was a vice president himself. Harris shared in the tweet that Biden showed her the part of the office where now-first lady Dr. Jill Biden pulled a prank on him back in 2009.
“During a @POTUS visit to my office (his old office), he showed me where - on Valentine’s Day in 2009 - @FLOTUS wrote “Joe loves Jill” on all the window panes. I love that story! To @POTUS, @FLOTUS, and all Americans: #HappyValentines,” tweeted Harris.
