Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong Un Meet in China for Military Parade
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” - President Donald Trump
Getsmart Preview: The largest tomato fight in the world has become so popular the town had to limit attendance to 20,000 people.
Newsbites
Chart of the week: Catholicism has seen a large spike in recent years
African country Burkina Faso (pop. 23M) has banned same-sex relationships with a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and fines if caught. The measure was unanimously voted upon on Monday and will go into effect one year after the country's military leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, asked for it. The socially conservative country is 64% Muslim and 20% Christian. Burkina Faso joins the list of 54 African countries that criminalize same-sex relationships. The laws, which have been heavily criticized outside Africa, are quite popular within the country, which tout the measure as a part of “marriage and family values.”
Vice President JD Vance and his wife visited Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis following the deadly shooting last week. While the Vances met with the pastor, principal, and families of the victims, a small group of protestors gathered around the Church demanding gun control. Following the visit, Vance said, "We should talk more about these kids. We should talk less about this shooter. We should talk less about the crazy person who took these children from us. We should talk about these kids, their hopes and their dreams, and the fact that they had a full life ahead of them that was cut short." (video)
More: Sophia Forchas, 12, remains in critical condition after doctors had "one side of her skull removed” in an effort to reduce swelling. The family continues to ask for prayers.
Robert F Kennedy Jr was grilled by lawmakers, including some Republicans, over his leadership at Health and Human Services. Kennedy Jr recently fired the CDC director, Susan Monarez, halted $500M in mRNA vaccine research, and has questioned the science behind the childhood vaccine schedule. The hours-long hearing got heated. (video of highlights)
Trump to deploy National Guard in Chicago: On Tuesday, President Trump said he will be sending the National Guard into the city of Chicago to help reduce crime and enforce law and order. "We're going in. I didn't say when, but we're going in," Trump said. Leaders from the Democrat run city have vowed to take legal action. "He just wants his own secret police force that will do publicity stunts whenever his poll numbers are sinking,” the Mayor of Chicago said in response. Trump is reportedly also looking to send in the National Guard to Baltimore and other major cities. It’s unclear whether the move would be considered unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Sudan Landslide: Hundreds of people in an isolated part of Sudan called Tarisan Village died from a sudden landslide. The Sudan Liberation Movement/Army, a rebel group that is currently in charge of the country, said the entire village was destroyed, only one person survived, and called for international aid. Meanwhile, other locals have given different information. “We recovered 370 bodies and buried them. Others are still trapped under the rocks, and some were carried away by floodwaters," said one of the leaders in the local region. One aid worker from the organization Save the Children said a team of 11 people rode donkeys out to the village to help. “It took our team more than a full day on a rocky, muddy, and hilly route to reach this devastated community."
More: Sudan has been in a bloody civil war for the past two years, making tragedies like this even more difficult to recover from.
A rise in Catholicism? At the University of Notre Dame, 52 students were baptized or completed their full initiation into the Catholic Church in April. It was the largest class of converts in 25 years since the school began keeping track. But it’s not just in South Bend, Indiana. Numerous Catholic Dioceses across the country have reported surprising numbers. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles reported a 45% increase in the number of converts, which totalled 5,500 - the most in 10 years. The Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, saw a surge in conversions, rising from 896 in 2023 to 1,544 in 2024, marking a 72% increase and one of the largest year-over-year gains nationwide.
Putin, XI, and Kim Jong Un Meet in China for Military Parade
“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America.” - President Donald J Trump
What’s going on?
On Wednesday, the leaders of Russia, North Korea, and China publicly met in Beijing in a public display of unity.
The parade not only served as a way for Xi to project China’s military power, but also sent a message to the U.S. and other Western powers that a new alliance between some of the world's most sanctioned countries might be forming.
The parade featured nuclear missiles, laser weapons, underwater nuclear drones, robotic “wolves”, as well as thousands of troops. Among the 50,000 spectators in attendance, who the Chinese communist party vetted, 25 leaders from around the globe were also present, including from Serbia and Iran. (video highlights)
Why does this matter
The public display of unity could be a sign of an actual alliance forming. Currently, Russia is facing severe economic sanctions from much of the West during its war with Ukraine. North Korea has sent more than 15,000 soldiers and military equipment to Russia in exchange for money, food, and technical help.
North Korea, which is extremely reliant on China with 90% of its food imports, could be viewed as another military arm of the Chinese communist regime with nuclear capabilities. To Xi, a partnership between North Korea and Russia could prove to be a legitimate counter to a U.S.-led globe.
President Trump responds
During the military events, President Trump posted on Truth Social, saying the following:
“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP”
GetSmart: The Largest Food Fight in the World
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The News Memo to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.