Havana Protests Erupt as Cuba Faces Severe Blackouts and Fuel Crisis 
Trump Faces Uphill Battle Seeking China’s Help on Iran Conflict 
RFK Jr. Spokesman Resigns Over Trump Administration’s Flavored E-Cigarette Policy 
Japan Considers Extra Budget Aid Amid Rising Fuel and Utility Costs 
Taiwan Independence Debate: China, U.S., and Taipei Tensions Explained 
U.S. Urges China to Help Curb Iran’s Actions in Gulf, Rubio Says 
Vance Says Progress Made in Iran Nuclear Talks as Trump Rejects Tehran Proposal 
Russia Resumes Heavy Drone Attacks on Ukraine After Ceasefire Ends 
Macron Faces Political Test Over Bank of France Nomination Ahead of 2027 Election 
Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Kyiv 
Saudi Arabia’s Secret Strikes on Iran Reveal Escalating Middle East Conflict 
Trump Pushes China Market Access During High-Stakes Xi Summit 
Trump Says Ukraine War Could End Soon as Peace Talks Gain Momentum 
South Korea Reviews Phased Support for Strait of Hormuz Security Efforts 
Trump Administration Appoints David Venturella as Acting ICE Director Amid Immigration Crackdown 
Trump, Xi Begin High-Stakes China Summit Focused on Trade, Taiwan and Global Tensions 
Kyrgyzstan Coup Plot Charges Shake Japarov Government Amid Political Tensions 
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.
