Trump chooses Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Editor’s warning: mentions of violence and death.

Happening in the World: Pope Francis has said that allegations of genocide in Gaza should be “carefully investigated,” marking some of his strongest criticism of Israel yet. Most Gazans have been prevented from leaving the territory since October 2023, though nearly the entire population of over two million has been internally displaced. In December 2023, the pope addressed the two women killed inside the Holy Family Parish in Gaza. He lamented that “unarmed civilians are targets for bombs and gunfire” in Gaza and invoked scripture on war. (CNN)

Happening in the US: Donald Trump has chosen Mehmet Oz, 64-year-old Turkish American Ohio native, best known for starring in his daytime talk show for more than a decade, to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump said Oz would “make America healthy again.” The cardiothoracic surgeon, who faced immense backlash for pushing misinformation at the height of the pandemic, will oversee the agency that operates on a $2.6tn annual budget and provides healthcare to more than 100 million people. (Guardian)

Happening in NYC: Subway service was partially suspended on the 2 and 5 lines during the morning rush hour as police responded to a person struck at the Third Avenue-149th Street station. NYPD and MTA officials said the incident happened just before 6 am, and according to police, no criminality was suspected. (Gothamist) 

Happening in Our Community: The “Public Health in Times of War and Conflict” panel will be on Thursday, at 11:30 am, in Allan Rosenfield Building, Floor 8 Auditorium. Global health practitioners and scholars will discuss their professional and personal experiences responding to public health needs amid conflict zones. For more information, click here. To reserve your seat, click here. Registration is required.

Trump via Bwog Archives