Russian Strikes on Ukraine Kill Six, Wound Dozens in Balakliia and Sumy 
US Expands Social Media Vetting to Foreign Journalists Seeking Visas 
Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare Threats 
Mark Carney Jokes About Teleprompter, Takes Swipe at Trump 
Senate Majority Leader John Thune Moves to Advance Crypto Clarity Act 
Taiwan President Lai Oversees Coastal Strike Drills in Han Kuang War Games 
Zelensky Urges Faster NATO Action on Air Defense Missiles 
Rubio, UK’s Miliband Stress Stronger European Security Role in Washington Talks 
SEC Moves to Dismiss Insider Trading Case Against Trump-Pardoned Terren Peizer 
US Continues Ukraine Patriot Missile Production Talks Despite Trump Doubts 
Russian Strikes Kill Six in Eastern and Northern Ukraine, Dozens Injured 
Trump Administration Plans $1 Billion Security Aid Package for Colombia 
Iran-Oman Near Strait of Hormuz Deal as Shipping Tensions Persist 
Colombia President Abelardo De La Espriella Pledges Drug Crackdown, Economic Reforms 
ICE to Complete Nationwide Body Camera Rollout by End of August 
Canada, US Hold Constructive Trade Talks as Tariff Negotiations Continue 
Trump Faces Tough Choices as Iran War Drags On 
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.
