U.S. Announces Additional $6 Million in Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Amid Oil Sanctions and Fuel Shortages 
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients 
Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Tensions remain in Europe due to the ongoing conflict between Russia, NATO, and Ukraine, with the US leading the efforts in warning Moscow against making any invasion. US President Joe Biden has formally approved the deployment of US troops to eastern Europe in the midst of fears.
Officials told CNN that Biden has officially approved the deployment of US troops to the region. The Pentagon is set to announce that additional thousands more troops would be dispatched to areas in Europe. Around 2,000 US troops would be stationed in Poland and a few thousand more to southeastern NATO countries, including Romania. The deployment may take place in the coming days.
Russia has deployed tens of thousands of troops to its borders with Ukraine, including Belarus. Washington has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may order an invasion soon. While Moscow has denied planning any sort of invasion on Ukraine, the troop buildup remains, leading to fears that an incursion may happen.
Washington has repeatedly warned that Russia would face severe sanctions should an invasion happen, possibly targeting Russian oligarchs who have assets overseas. Moscow has turned in a list of guarantees it wants NATO and the US to agree on, including barring Ukraine from joining the alliance. Talks between US and Russian officials have also been unsuccessful as no breakthrough occurred.
In other related news, Biden announced that the overnight US raid in Syria has taken out Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Women and children were also among the fatalities included in the raid that occurred. Biden confirmed al-Qurayshi’s death Thursday, praising the operation, and said that al-Qurayshi was responsible for the civilian deaths.
Qurayshi, according to Biden, blew himself up, including members of his family, calling the move an “act of cowardice.” ISIL has yet to confirm al-Qurayshi’s death.
“He chose to blow himself up – not just with a vest, but to blow up that third floor – rather than face justice for the crimes he has committed, taking several members of his family with him,” said Biden.
“I am determined to protect the American people from terrorist threats, and I’ll take decisive action to protect this country,” said the US leader.
