Ukrainian President Putin

Hi Global Recap readers,

Once again, one of the most newsworthy events happened just as the newsletter was being sent out.

Classic. 👇

(Sorry for the image below, in advance)

🇺🇸 United States
Biden’s Press Conference Blunders

President Joe Biden’s NATO solo press conference has sparked significant controversy due to his several critical gaffes.

🔘 Gaffe 1. Biden mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” during the opening question of the press conference.

• A reporter brought attention to Biden's slip-up during the last question of the press conference, asking for his response after Trump had mocked it.

• Biden responded to the mockery with a smile and a brief and mysterious comment before leaving the stage: “Listen to him.” Reporters: (???) 🤷‍♂️

🔘 Gaffe 2. But that’s not all. Biden also referred to his chief of staff as “my commander in chief” before stuttering and correcting himself.

🔘 Gaffe 3+. Earlier in the evening, at a separate NATO event honoring Ukraine, Biden introduced Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as “President Putin.” 🤦 Although, to his credit, he smoothed over it quite well.

• That being said, I legitimately couldn’t muster up the courage to click and watch it for hours because of the cringe…

• There were many other awkward moments during the press conference, such as the long pauses and stutters.

🔘 Pressure. These errors have fueled further criticism and doubts about his ability to handle the pressures of the campaign. 😬

• Understandably, calls for Biden to drop out of the presidential race are increasing.

• At least 19 Democratic lawmakers, two of whom were just added, have publicly urged Biden to exit the race.

• Some major donors are pausing their contributions until a new nominee is chosen.

We should also acknowledge that many of Biden’s supporters believe these gaffes can happen to anyone, emphasizing that the President is not exempt from such errors because he is human.

However, critics, including former supporters of Biden, argue that introducing Ukrainian President Zelensky as President Putin, whether an honest mistake or a consequence of declining mental acuity, is simply unacceptable.

For reference, here’s the full solo conference.

🇻🇪 Venezuela
Maduro Dominates Election Ballot

Venezuela’s upcoming presidential election is turning heads, and not just because of the candidates.

Nicolás Maduro, the incumbent president, largely regarded as a dictator, appears 13 times on the ballot, making him hard to miss.

🔘 Ballot. Yes, you are seeing it right. Maduro’s face is plastered all over the ballot, representing multiple political groups.

• The ballot features 38 pictures in total, each with the candidate’s name and party.

• Maduro occupies the entire first row of the ballot.

• His main contender, Edmundo González, appears only three times.

🔘 Maduro. Maduro is running for his third six-year presidential term.

• In Venezuela, electoral rules permit candidates’ pictures to appear on both electronic and printed ballots as many times as they are supported by different parties.

• One voter even said they got “dizzy” looking at so many copies of Maduro’s face.

🔘 Voter Turnout. The presidential elections are scheduled to be held on July 28.

• Around 17 million are eligible to vote, with 4 million abroad.

• Only about 69,000 overseas voters met the requirements to cast their ballots.

• Government prerequisites and lack of information hinder many from registering.

🔘 Meaning. This election is consequential for Venezuela.

• The result could either grant Maduro another six years in power or end the policies of the self-described socialist.

• He initially found success with his anti-poverty programs, but later mismanagement by his administration led to a prolonged economic crisis.

🇮🇱 Israel
Hostage Sues US Nonprofit

Almog Meir Jan, an Israeli who was held hostage by Hamas, has filed a lawsuit against the US-based NGO People Media Project, claiming that the organization supported the Hamas operative who held him captive.

🔘 Kidnapping. Jan was kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and held for 246 days.

• He was taken from the Nova Music Festival.

• Held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas terrorist Abdallah Aljamal.

• Rescued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on June 8, 2024.

• Aljamal, the aforementioned Hamas terroris, was killed during the IDF operation to rescue Jan and two other hostages.

🔘 Lawsuit. Here are the allegations against People Media Project:

• Claims the nonprofit provided financial support to Aljamal.

• Alleges the organization aided and abetted Hamas’s terrorist activities.

🔘 Allegations. The lawsuit also accuses the nonprofit of providing their website, Palestine Chronicle, for the terrorist to “whitewash” Hamas’s crimes.

Further allegations:

• Aljamal allegedly used the platform to attract international support for Hamas, where he described the Oct. 7 attacks as “daring.”

• The terrorist also claimed US taxpayers indirectly subsidized Aljamal’s propaganda due to the nonprofit’s tax-exempt status.

🔘 Aftermath. The Palestine Chronicle distanced itself from Aljamal post-rescue.

• Changed his description from “correspondent” to “contributor.”

• Released a statement calling him a “freelance contributor.”

🇭🇺 Hungary
Orban’s Peace Mission

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is on his “Peace Mission 5.0” to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and he’s making waves with his controversial diplomatic moves.

🔘 Meeting. Orban met with former US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss peace efforts.

• The meeting took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate after Orban participated in the NATO summit in Washington D.C.

• Orban shared a photo of the meeting on X, simply saying that “he’s going to solve it!”

• Trump echoed the sentiment on Truth Social, emphasizing that “There must be PEACE, and quickly.”

🔘 Prior Visits Overview. Orban’s recent travels have raised eyebrows among Western allies.

• He made unannounced visits to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing.

• In Kyiv, he suggested a truce to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

• His Moscow visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin drew condemnation from Kyiv and other European capitals.

• In Beijing, he praised China’s peace initiatives amid global turmoil.

🔘 Criticism. Orban’s actions have sparked criticism from the EU and other Western leaders.

• The German Foreign Ministry noted the damage caused by Orban’s diplomatic trips.

• EU leaders fear Orban’s actions could give Russia the impression of a divided West.

• Orban is seen as a “renegade” by European leaders due to his cozy relationship with Trump and his stance on the Ukraine conflict.

🔘 Support. Orban’s relationship with Trump remains strong.

• Orban has openly supported Trump’s candidacy in the upcoming US presidential election.

• He hopes Trump can bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

• Orban’s “illiberal democracy” and his policies have made him an icon for conservative populists

🇺🇦 Ukraine
UN Demands Russia Withdraw

🔘 Resolution. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution urging Russia to withdraw from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

• The resolution was approved by a vote of 99-9, with 60 countries abstaining and 25 not voting.

• It calls for Russia to cease its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw all troops.

• It is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe.

🔘 Concerns.

• The plant has been caught in the crossfire since Russian troops occupied it in February 2022.

• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported multiple attacks on the plant.

• Although there were a few past scares regarding the power plant, we have avoided a large-scale disaster as of now.

🔘 Accusations. Both Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of attacking the plant.