South Korea Ballot Shortage Sparks Protests, Election Fraud Claims, and Calls for Rerun 
Trump Nominates Jay Clayton as DNI Amid FISA Surveillance Dispute 
Senior Haitian Security Official Kidnapped as Gang Violence Escalates in Port-au-Prince 
US-Iran Peace Deal Nears as Tehran and Pakistan Signal Breakthrough 
KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun Defends Taiwan-China Engagement During U.S. Visit 
Xi’s North Korea Visit Strengthens Ties and Elevates Kim Jong Un’s Global Standing 
Trump Names James McDonald as New SDNY U.S. Attorney 
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Deal Could Be Signed Sunday as Tehran Signals More Talks Needed 
France Hosts Israeli-Palestinian Peace Conference to Revive Two-State Solution 
U.S.-Iran Peace Framework Nears as Strait of Hormuz Reopening Takes Center Stage 
JCPOA Nuclear Deal Explained as U.S. Nears Potential New Iran Peace Agreement 
South Korea Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol Sentenced to 30 Years Over Martial Law Plot 
Carney and Macron Strengthen Canada-France Defense Ties Amid US Trade Uncertainty 
US Appeals Court Keeps Trump’s 10% Global Tariff in Effect During Ongoing Legal Battle 
Taiwan Launches Intelligence Tip Website Targeting Chinese Informants 
Trump Signals Possible Iran Peace Deal as Markets Rally 
US President Joe Biden made more nominations to diplomatic positions again this week. Included in the list is Cindy McCain, the widow of the late GOP Senator John McCain, as the US ambassador to the UN food and agriculture programs.
Biden has nominated McCain as the US representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Should she be confirmed, McCain would be dispatched to Rome to oversee larger efforts in ending world hunger and expanding access to food all over the world. This also puts McCain, a Republican ally of Biden, to an administration post.
“I am deeply honored and look forward to the work ahead,” McCain tweeted shortly after the announcement.
McCain endorsed Biden in the 2020 elections and was also featured to speak during the Democratic National Convention. In her endorsement, McCain noted the long-running friendship between her late husband and Biden despite having opposing political affiliations. Biden’s nomination also brings forth his push for bipartisanship in Washington.
Aside from McCain, Biden also nominated Massachusetts Democrat Claire Cronin as US ambassador to Ireland, Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement managing director Michael Carpenter as US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, former Delaware Governor Jack Markell as the US ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development among others.
Speaking of bipartisanship, Biden has reached a bipartisan deal this week regarding his upcoming infrastructure package. Biden announced, alongside 10 Senators, the agreement made on a $953 billion infrastructure plan in an impromptu appearance to the press following the agreement. While Biden did not get too specific, the bill remains to have bipartisan support among the lawmakers both Republican and Democratic.
The proposal could also leave open the possibility of Biden’s future trillion-dollar proposals. Biden added that while not everyone got what they wanted, other White House priorities would be passed through the reconciliation process that would evade obstruction through the filibuster.
The lawmakers have been at odds as to how to fund the proposal, but following the meeting with Biden, appeared to be more confident as their issues have appeared to be addressed.
