U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
New Orleans Immigration Crackdown Sparks Fear as Federal Arrests Intensify 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
US Vice President Kamala Harris this week addressed maternal health in the country. In a recent White House event, Harris also introduced a plan to lower the US maternal mortality rate.
At the White House Maternal Health event, Harris unveiled the administration’s plan to tackle the high maternal mortality rate. The plan includes improvements to pregnancy and postpartum care.
“Maternal mortality and morbidity is a serious crisis and one that endangers both public health and economic growth,” said Harris at the event.
The plan would call for states to expand the postpartum coverage under Medicaid from two to 12 months, as well as assigning “birth-friendly” hospitals. Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have updated its guidelines for state Medicaid programs in order to expand coverage and begin the process of choosing the best health centers for mothers to receive maternal care.
Harris said during the event that a group made up of 20 companies and nonprofits have pledged $20 million for improving maternal health in the US and $150 million worldwide.
The US maternal mortality rates are high compared to other developed countries, especially in recent years, twice the number in France, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Black and Native American women are also more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to White women. Maternal health is also part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better Act, with a $3 billion investment in maternal health initiatives.
This follows US President Joe Biden’s signing into law the Protecting Moms Who Served Act, providing $15 million for childbirth preparation classes, parenting classes, and breastfeeding support for veterans.
In other related news, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in confirming another Biden nominee for judiciary posts. Rachael Rollins was confirmed by the Senate this week, making her the first Black woman to become the US attorney for Massachusetts. Rollins’ confirmation was done through party lines, making it the first time a Biden-nominated candidate for a position was not confirmed unanimously.
Rollins, a progressive prosecutor in Boston, was long-awaited to be confirmed due to several delays and opposition from Senate Republicans.
