US-Backed Venezuela Government, Opposition Talks Begin 
U.S. Unseals Charges Against Five Alleged CJNG Leaders, Raises Reward for New Cartel Chief 
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Democratic Senate Primary, Sets Up Key Midterm Showdown 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Trump Unveils $3 Billion U.S. Critical Minerals Push 
Trump Faces Tough Choices as Iran War Drags On 
Ukraine Agrees to Protect Kazakhstan Oil Exports via Black Sea 
Bezalel Smotrich Faces Election Battle as Israel’s Far-Right Vote Fractures 
Trump Administration Plans $1 Billion Security Aid Package for Colombia 
US Expects Iran-Oman Hormuz Shipping Deal Soon 
Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill Six, Wound Dozens in Balakliia and Sumy 
Colombia President Abelardo De La Espriella Pledges Drug Crackdown, Economic Reforms 
New Zealand MMP Electoral System Faces Fresh Referendum Debate 
North Korea May Deploy 120 Missiles to Russia 
US Expands Social Media Vetting to Foreign Journalists Seeking Visas 
Russian Strikes Kill Six in Eastern and Northern Ukraine, Dozens Injured 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
After weeks of speculation, US President Joe Biden has finally unveiled his nominee for the Supreme Court. Biden has nominated federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to succeed Stephen Breyer in the high court.
Biden nominated federal judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court Friday last week at an event at the White House. Jackson would become the first Black woman to become a Supreme Court justice once confirmed by the Senate.
The US leader met with Jackson for her Supreme Court interview earlier this month in a secret meeting, according to an administration official. Jackson received and accepted Biden’s nomination Thursday night last week and attended the DC Circuit court hearings Friday morning.
“For too long our government, our courts haven’t looked like America,” said Biden in his remarks introducing Jackson. “I believe it’s time that we have a court that reflects the full talents and greatness of our nation with a nominee of extraordinary qualifications, and that we inspire all young people to believe that they can one day serve their country at the highest level.”
The White House initially considered delaying the announcement due to the ongoing invasion in Ukraine. However, according to an administration official, the White House believed it was important to get to the second phase of the confirmation process.
Jackson’s nomination, while historic, will not change the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court as conservative justices hold the majority. Jackson will succeed Breyer, who has looked to retire this year provided that his replacement has already been chosen and confirmed by the Senate.
In other related news, Biden signed an order authorizing up to $600 million in military assistance to Ukraine. The US leader instructed Secretary of State Antony Blinken to release $350 million worth of “defense articles and services of the Department of Defense and military education training” as stipulated under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. The remaining $250 million would be reserved for overall assistance.
The order reportedly came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned down the US’ offer to be evacuated from the country in the midst of the invasion by Russian forces.
