This week, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu made the first visit by a Russian defense minister to North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union. Kim Jong Un and Shoigu met in Pyongyang to discuss military issues and the regional security environment, and Shoigu accompanied Kim to a defense exhibition featuring North Korea's banned ballistic missiles. The visit is seen as a sign of the strengthening ties between North Korea, Russia, and China, and a reminder of the ongoing tensions between North Korea and the U.S. over North Korea's nuclear program.
Posts published in “Politics”
On Wednesday, members of the presidential guard in Niger attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government and detain President Mohamed Bazoum. In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassoumi Massoudou and citizens of Niger have condemned the coup and called for a return to democracy. Demonstrators have gathered to protest the detention of President Bazoum and the situation in Niger remains uncertain as the nation awaits the outcome of the attempted coup.
On July 14th, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) experienced a mishap while disembarking from a plane at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, resulting in a "face plant" according to a passenger who did not witness it. Though McConnell was not seriously hurt, he was seen later that day at the Capitol and is expected to make a full recovery. His office has not commented on the incident, but his spokesperson said he is "doing well."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that he would consider appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a position in his administration if he wins the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis made the comments on Wednesday, citing agreement with Kennedy on medical issues and corruption in health bureaucracies. Kennedy is a prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, and DeSantis has yet to comment further on the possibility of appointing him to a position in his administration.
The U.S. Justice Department has filed a motion in a federal court to order the state of Texas to remove a floating barrier covered in razor wire, which was installed by the state to deter migrants from crossing into the United States. The motion argues that the barrier poses a threat to navigation and public safety, and could potentially harm or kill migrants seeking asylum in the United States. The court is expected to make a decision soon on the Justice Department's request for a preliminary injunction to prevent "irreparable harm" to foreign relations, public safety and navigation.
A group of mutinous soldiers attempted a coup d'etat in Niger on Wednesday, claiming to have overthrown the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have condemned the attempted coup and Benin President Patrice Talon is heading to Niger on a mediation bid. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and hoping for a peaceful resolution.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation banning conversion therapy for minors, making Michigan the 22nd state to outlaw the practice. The legislation is supported by a number of organizations, and is seen as a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community in Michigan, as it protects minors from a practice that has been widely discredited by the scientific community. Whitmer said the legislation was necessary to make Michigan a place “where you can be who you are and love who you love.”
At a House Oversight Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, witnesses and lawmakers discussed the issue of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs or UFOs). Former U.S. intelligence official David Grusch claimed that the government has a long-standing program to retrieve UAPs, while former Navy Commander David Fravor and former Navy pilot Ryan Graves reported their own experiences with UAPs. Lawmakers called for more information from the federal government and urged them to address the stigma surrounding UFO reporting.