Three Things for April 11
1. Biden to speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Ukraine
Today, President Joe Biden will speak with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India to discuss India’s position on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.
According to AP News, India’s position of neutrality has been an issue of concern for many in Washington, particularly following endorsement from many Russian officials.
Most recently, India abstained in the vote to remove Russia from the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. A petition to remove a country requires a vote of the full UN. The vote passed 93 to 24 with 58 countries abstaining.
According to a statement by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Biden and Modi will be speaking on the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine “and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets.”
Despite criticism from allies, India has continued buying Russian goods.
2. Church of the Holy Sepulcher reopened in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday
After two years of being closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem reopened its doors for Palm Sunday.
The church is believed to be built upon the location where Jesus Christ was Crucified and buried.
"After two years of COVID, of restrictions, of closed churches, today we are in a normal atmosphere. We have a lot of pilgrims, a lot of local Christians. We are very happy. For us, it's a kind of resurrection,” said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
According to Reuters, many people traveled from all over the world to observe Palm Sunday at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
Israel only recently began reopening its borders to tourists, and the church only saw 20% of normal attendance, prior to COVID.
3. French President Emmanuel Macron projected to win first election round
As polls across France closed on Sunday, the sitting president, Emmanuel Macron was projected to come out ahead at 29% of the vote.
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen won 24% and far-left contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon received 20% of the vote. Since no candidate won 50% of the vote, a runoff election has been scheduled for April 24 in which only Macron and Le Pen will be on the ballot.
According to The Washington Post, Macron is a centrist who is running for a second term. He is also facing a tougher race than when he beat Le Pen the first time.
During the 2017 election, he beat Le Pen by more than 30 points. However, she has a much closer gap to close this time.
Polls of voter intention in France have suggested that Macron would only win by four to six percentage points in this election.
