Australian PM Albanese Heckled at Sydney Mosque During Eid al-Fitr Prayers 
Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks Resume in Florida Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War 
Trump White House Unveils National AI Policy Framework for Congress 
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Resume After Brief Pause Linked to Iran Conflict 
U.S. Prosecutors Scrutinize Colombian President Petro in Drug Trafficking Probes 
Trump Signals End of U.S. Military Campaign Against Iran as Markets Rally 
Belarus Frees 250 Political Prisoners in Landmark U.S. Sanctions Deal 
Trump Warns Israel as U.S.-Israeli War on Iran Triggers Global Energy Crisis 
U.S.-Iran War Escalates: Marines Deploy, Strait of Hormuz Closure Drives Global Oil Crisis 
Trump Signals U.S. Nearing End of Military Goals in Iran War, Shifts Hormuz Responsibility to Regional Nations 
Trump Compares Iran Strikes to Pearl Harbor in Awkward Exchange with Japanese PM 
Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks in Florida Target Ceasefire Framework and Defense Cooperation 
Cuba Rejects U.S. Demands to Remove President Diaz-Canel Amid Ongoing Negotiations 
Federal Reserve Crisis: DOJ Standoff Threatens Powell's Succession and Rate Stability 
U.S. Officials Express Optimism Over New CDC Director Selection Amid Vaccine Policy Turmoil 
US-Iran War: Trump Eyes Military Exit as Markets React to Potential De-escalation 
Brazil's Haddad Leaves Finance Ministry to Run for São Paulo Governor 
US President Joe Biden is set to nominate Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to become the US representative to the World Health Organization’s executive board. Murthy’s nomination to the WHO executive panel is subject to approval by the Senate.
Biden administration officials told Reuters Tuesday that Biden intends to nominate Murthy to represent the US in the WHO executive panel. Murthy, who has also served as Surgeon General under former President Barack Obama, will continue in his position even if confirmed by the Senate for the WHO.
Should Murthy be confirmed by the Senate, he will still remain in Washington with his family but will travel to Geneva when needed to fulfil the duties in the role as US envoy to the WHO.
“With his experience and expertise, the president is confident that Dr. Murthy will build on his commitment to an era of relentless diplomacy by representing our nation on the world stage,” said the official.
“Rejoining the WHO requires an experienced and seasoned physician and public health expert” that can expand on Washington’s commitment to global health, the official added.
“If confirmed, I will continue to elevate US leadership on the global stage and ensure public health is at the forefront of our planning and preparation for global challenges,” said Murthy in a statement to Reuters.
Biden pledged for the US to re-engage with the World Health Organization when he took office in 2021 after his predecessor Donald Trump said in 2020 that the US would withdraw from the WHO over its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The White House said Wednesday that Biden has called on his administration and on Congress to find ways to boost US energy production and reduce OPEC’s control over energy prices following the cartel’s production cut.
The Saudi Arabia-led OPEC cartel, during a meeting in Vienna on the same day, ignored Washington’s pleas to continue the flow of oil, agreeing to cut output by two million barrels a day.
The move was met with criticism from Biden, underlining the growing rift between the US and Saudi Arabia on energy policy.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese issued a statement saying the decision by OPEC+ was “shortsighted” as the global economy still struggles with the negative impacts brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
