Iran-U.S. Conflict Escalation Threatens Global Oil Supply and Economic Stability 
Japan Eases Arms Export Rules, Opening Door for Potential Ukraine Defense Support 
Trump Expands Cuba Sanctions Targeting Key Sectors and Foreign Entities 
Iran Threatens Prolonged Strikes as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Drives Global Oil Surge 
US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amid Growing Rift with European Allies 
Peru Election Results Under Scrutiny as JNE Calls for Comprehensive IT Audit 
U.S. Fast-Tracks $8.6 Billion Arms Sales to Middle East Allies Amid Rising Tensions 
Trump Congratulates Ali al-Zaidi on Iraq Prime Minister Nomination, Signals Strong U.S.-Iraq Ties 
U.S. Flags Vietnam as “Priority Foreign Country” Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Lebanon Political Divide Complicates Saudi Push for Israel Negotiations 
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Visits Eswatini Amid China Pressure and Airspace Tensions 
Russian Forces Advance Toward Kostiantynivka as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine 
Trump Rejects Iran Proposal as Tensions Persist Amid Fragile Ceasefire 
U.S. Sanctions Former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila Over Rebel Support 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
Cuba Condemns New U.S. Sanctions, Calls Measures “Collective Punishment” 
Rising Tensions in US-Europe Relations Amid Trump Policies and Iran War 
The administration of US President Joe Biden this week is looking to clear out some more appointees of former President Donald Trump. Biden recently requested the resignations of Dr. Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker from their posts on a presidential council or face termination.
CNN reports that Biden has asked Dr. Mehmet Oz and Walker to resign from their posts on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition or face termination. A White House official said that it is against the policy of the Biden administration for federal candidates to serve on presidential boards. The White House sent the requests to Dr. Oz and Walker Wednesday, requesting their resignations by 6 p.m.
Both were appointed for two-year terms on the council by Trump in 2018 and were reappointed in 2020 before the Republican president left office. Both are also running for Senate posts in Georgia and Pennsylvania. Dr. Oz criticized the requests for resignation and has refused to step down from his post.
To note, members of the council are considered special government employees. According to the Hatch Act, they are also not allowed to be candidates in “partisan elections” as they carry out official government duties.
Prior to requesting their resignations, the White House announced the appointments of chef and humanitarian Jose Andres and WNBA star Elena Delle Donne as co-chairs of the council.
This latest request follows the previous request by the Biden administration that former Trump officials Sean Spicer, H.R. McMaster, and Kellyanne Conway resign from their positions on the military service academy advisory boards.
In other related news, Biden said that India is the only country in the Quad alliance that has not imposed sanctions on Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Aside from the US, Australia and Japan have imposed sanctions on Russian oligarchs and entities. India has also not condemned Russia for the invasion.
In a business forum Monday, the US leader said that NATO remains on a united front in response to dictator Vladimir Putin’s aggression on Kyiv. India has urged to end the violence in Ukraine but has abstained from voting against Russia in the UN.
