Andrei Rudenko, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, visited Beijing on Sunday to discuss "international and regional issues of common concern" with the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. This follows Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the mercenary Wagner Group, ordering his troops to march on Moscow before reaching a deal with the Kremlin to go into exile. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been monitoring the events and engaging with the Russians. It is unclear what was discussed during Rudenko's visit, but it is likely that the two countries discussed the situation in Russia and the implications of the aborted rebellion.
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Former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence both addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference, with Trump speaking on the anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning the national right to an abortion and Pence challenging every GOP presidential candidate to support a national ban on abortions at least as early as 15 weeks of pregnancy. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is running for president in 2024, also addressed the conference and openly criticized Trump for being unwilling to take responsibility for his mistakes.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has negotiated a truce between Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russian military, which includes "security guarantees for the Wagner PMC fighters". Prigozhin had called for an armed uprising against the defense minister, and has taken responsibility for the potential of Russian blood being shed. The truce is a step towards de-escalating tensions, but it is unclear what further steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the Wagner PMC fighters.
Russian authorities have launched a criminal probe against Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military contractor, in response to his accusations against the Russian Defense Minister. Former President Donald Trump has criticized aid to Ukraine, while President Joe Biden has made continued aide a priority and has traveled to the wartorn country to underscore U.S. support. The investigation is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with the outcome yet to be determined.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group, has called for an armed rebellion in Russia, leading to a power struggle and criticism from Adam Kinzinger, a CNN senior political commentator and former GOP congressman. The Wagner Group has been a key piece of Russia's strategy in Ukraine, and Prigozhin has been sharply critical of Russian military leadership. Kinzinger has highlighted the apparent admiration for Putin by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson in the wake of the call.
A recent intelligence briefing from Britain's Ministry of Defense reveals that Yevgeny Prigozhin, a well-known figure in Russia, is in control of the Russian military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don. In response, Vladimir Putin has denounced the rebellion as a "betrayal" and "treason" and vowed to defend Russia against it. This is the biggest threat to Putin’s leadership in over two decades in power.
A federal judge in Florida has temporarily blocked a law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis that would have restricted drag performances, granting a preliminary injunction requested by the owner of a Hamburger Mary's restaurant and bar in Orlando. The judge refused to dismiss the law entirely, meaning the underlying lawsuit challenging it will go forward. The case is expected to go to trial in the coming months, and the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the state of Florida.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has signed an executive order that prevents county attorney generals from prosecuting abortion cases, giving centralized authority to the state's Democratic attorney general, Kris Mayes. The order sends a message that Arizona will not stand for attacks on reproductive freedom and will ensure that no county attorney can be used to restrict access to abortion care. The executive order has been praised by reproductive rights advocates, who say it will help protect access to abortion in the state.