At the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised African leaders tens of thousands of tons of free grain in an attempt to appease the international community and improve Russia's image in the region. The free grain announcement follows criticism of Russia's involvement in the Ukrainian conflict, which has caused a disruption in the global food supply chain. The summit was attended by 21 African leaders, with notable absentees including the leaders of several large African nations.
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An 11-year-old girl from Florida was taken into custody after falsely reporting the abduction of her 14-year-old friend, which she had done as part of a YouTube challenge. In response, multiple police departments and an aviation crew were deployed to search for the vehicle, but no van was found. The girl faces felony and misdemeanor charges, and authorities urge people to be aware of the potential repercussions of their actions.
Former Alabama Republican Rep. Mo Brooks has revealed that former President Donald Trump asked him to help overturn the 2020 presidential election. The Justice Department's investigation into Trump's efforts to overturn the election is ongoing, and Brooks has yet to be contacted by special counsel Jack Smith. If contacted, Brooks has said he would meet with prosecutors to discuss his accusations, which could have a significant impact on the outcome of the investigation.
The Supreme Court has granted an emergency request from Mountain Valley Pipeline, allowing construction of the 303.5 mile natural gas pipeline to resume. The project, which will transport natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia, has been entangled in numerous legal challenges from environmental groups, but Congress recently stripped courts of authority to review approval of the pipeline. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and provide an economic boost to the region, and is now expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
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.
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."
Tina Knowles-Lawson, fashion designer and mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles, has filed for divorce from actor Richard Lawson citing "irreconcilable differences". She has asked the court to terminate the ability to award spousal support and to restore her last name to Knowles. The couple had been together for eight years and had celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary in March, making the divorce filing a surprise to many.