Thailand’s new PM. Lawmakers elected Anutin Charnvirakul prime minister today, weeks after his Bhumjaithai Party broke from the ruling coalition in the wake of a scandal that brought down the former premier. Longtime Thai political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, father of ousted prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, left the country yesterday. Charnvirakul earned the support of the progressive opposition People’s Party in his leadership vote by pledging to amend the constitution and hold an election within four months.
U.S.-Taiwan meeting. Defense officials from the United States and Taiwan met secretly last week in Alaska, unnamed sources told the Financial Times. The Pentagon and Taipei declined to comment. Washington had previously canceled a higher-level meeting that was planned for June; the White House told Taipei at the time the cancellation was related to its strikes on Iran, but it also came as Washington and Beijing carried out trade talks.
Health policy hearing. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cast doubt on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines and pandemic-era masking and lockdowns at a Senate hearing yesterday. Republicans as well as Democrats questioned Kennedy about his move to narrow COVID-19 vaccine eligibility. The hearing underscored concerns about changes in U.S. policy on vaccines.
Fed confirmation interview. Stephen Miran, Trump’s nominee to fill a four-month vacancy on the Federal Reserve, said at his confirmation hearing yesterday that he would hold the Fed’s independence as “paramount” if confirmed. Miran currently chairs Trump’s Council of Economic Advisors and said he planned to retain that role, though take a leave of absence. His nomination triggered worries about a potential conflict of interest at a time when the White House has urged the Fed to lower interest rates.
Changing soybean trade. China has been boycotting purchases of U.S. soybeans since late May of this year as part of the broader trade war. Last year, 21 percent of its imported soybeans came from the United States; this year, the country has looked to other suppliers such as Brazil. The shift prompted U.S. soybean farmers to write to Trump last month calling for a trade deal with China and commitments for China to purchase soybeans.
Algeria-Mali drone suit. Mali filed a lawsuit against Algeria at the International Court of Justice yesterday, accusing Algeria of shooting down a Malian military drone to protect armed groups. Mali said Algeria had not provided evidence for its claim that the drone violated Algerian airspace.
Israel’s advance in Gaza City. The Israeli military said yesterday that it now controls 40 percent of Gaza’s main population center and plans to expand its military offensive there in the coming days. Israeli attacks killed at least fifty-three people across Gaza yesterday, Gaza health authorities said. Israel has told civilians to leave Gaza City, but many have stayed put in fear that there is no safe place to go.
Election in Samoa. The incumbent FAST party won a national election in the Pacific Island country. However, the country will have a new prime minister in Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt; former Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata'afa left FAST before the election and created the Samoa Uniting Party, which only won three of the fifty contested legislative seats.
