Australia and Japan Strengthen Defence Cooperation Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
U.S.-Russia Talks Leave Ukraine Peace Efforts Uncertain 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
Along with leading diplomatic efforts to address the migrant influx at the border and voting rights, Vice President Kamala Harris is also the chair of the National Space Council. As part of the efforts to further raise awareness of climate change, Harris visited the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to look at the agency’s climate change studies.
Harris visited the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland last Friday to take a look at its climate studies. Harris toured the facility as part of the Biden administration’s efforts to raise awareness and combat the growing threat of climate change. NASA chief Bill Nelson also unveiled the first images from the Landsat-9 satellite, a joint mission of NASA and the US Geological Survey that launched back in September.
The vice president’s visit to the space agency follows US President Joe Biden and the congressional delegation’s attendance at the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow alongside other world leaders. During her visit, Harris also delivered some remarks to the agency’s employees, thanking them for their contributions to the country and also to the world.
“I truly believe space activity is climate action. Space activity is education. Space activity is also economic growth. It is also innovation and inspiration. And it is about our security and our strength,” said Harris in her remarks. “When it comes to our space activity, there is limitless potential...So, as we go forth from here, let us continue to seize the opportunity of space.”
Harris and Nelson also discussed the agency’s announcement of the new Earth Venture Mission-3, with the Investigation of Convective Updrafts set to study how tropical storms and thunderstorms develop and grow in order to improve weather and climate models.
In other related news, Harris has arrived in Paris for her four-day visit in the hopes of further mending relations between the US and France following the recent alliance made by the US, the UK, and Australia. The vice president started her visit by touring the Pasteur Institute and meeting with its American and French scientists that are working on COVID-19 preparedness in the country.
Harris said that her visit to the institute highlighted the two countries’ determination to tackle global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
