June 19-25

Top US Story: Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden’s son, made a deal with federal prosecutors to resolve an investigation into two misdemeanors with his taxes as well as his possession of a firearm while under the influence of illegal drugs. As part of the plea deal, the DOJ (Department of Justice) has agreed to recommend his sentence consist of a two-year probation rather than jail time. Amid the second Trump indictment, some might view this case as showing how both Democrats and Republicans are being held accountable for breaking the law. However, some might argue that the deal for probation wouldn't have been struck if not for Hunter Biden’s status.

Top Global Story: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group in Russia, briefly took over a Russian military headquarters on a march toward Moscow on Saturday, June 24. (A mercenary group is a group of private individuals who join a military conflict for personal gain, usually money). Prigozhin claimed that Russia’s military attacked a Wagner camp and killed a “huge amount” of his men, thus bringing about his actions. Ukraine was hoping that this time of internal chaos in Russia would allow them to make strides in their counteroffensive to take back land stolen by Russia. However, the Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, brokered a deal to end Prigozhin’s march towards Moscow. The agreement is that Prigozhin will go into exile in Belarus but will not face prosecution. Although the revolt ultimately failed, Prigozhin very publicly challenged Putin’s power and authority in a way that might alter how he is received both by his own people and by the world.

Update on the US 2024 Election: There are now thirteen Republicans and three Democrats who have declared that they are running for President in the 2024 election. On June 22, the former U.S. Representative from Texas, Will Hurd, announced his candidacy. The Primaries begin just 7 months from now, in February of 2024.