News from June 2024


OPINION: Embracing Taiwan to ensure peace, prosperity, and democracy

OPINION: Embracing Taiwan to ensure peace, prosperity, and democracy

​Taiwan is a free and democratic nation, which is evident to any American who spends time in both Taiwan and China. The differences in culture, governance, and daily life make clear that these are distinct nations.


OPINION: Mexican drug cartels: A growing menace is becoming entrenched in the United States

OPINION: Mexican drug cartels: A growing menace is becoming entrenched in the United States

The escalating activities of Mexican drug cartels have become a significant concern for the United States, affecting communities well-beyond states on the southern border. These transnational criminal organizations are employing increasingly sophisticated and ruthless tactics to expand their illegal operations, posing a severe threat to public safety and national security.


Japanese reality dating show 'The Boyfriend' premieres July 9 on Netflix

Japanese reality dating show 'The Boyfriend' premieres July 9 on Netflix

Get ready for an unforgettable summer of love and friendship with "The Boyfriend." The newly released trailer introduces audiences to nine young men who spend a month together in a beach house, running a coffee truck and experiencing the highs and lows of falling in love.


Sara Minkara to promote disability inclusion in Türkiye

Sara Minkara to promote disability inclusion in Türkiye

Special Advisor on International Disability Rights (SAIDR) Sara Minkara will travel to Istanbul and Ankara, Türkiye, from June 30 to July 3. The visit aims to advance the inclusion of persons with disabilities across various policy areas.


Insights into India's drive towards leveraging artificial intelligence

Insights into India's drive towards leveraging artificial intelligence

AI could prove to be one of the most transformative technologies driving growth for India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). To empower MSMEs to further leverage AI, a white paper was launched in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Service Companies (nasscom), an Indian non-governmental apex trade association for the technology industry.


U.S. congratulates Democratic Republic of the Congo on National Day

U.S. congratulates Democratic Republic of the Congo on National Day

On June 30, 2024, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a press statement on behalf of the United States of America, extending best wishes to the Congolese people and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on their 64th anniversary of independence.


Secretary Blinken congratulates Seychelles on National Day

Secretary Blinken congratulates Seychelles on National Day

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, extended his congratulations to the people of Seychelles on the forty-eighth anniversary of their independence in a press statement released on June 29, 2024.


Special Envoy Jessica Stern travels to Ireland for LGBTQI+ rights discussions

Special Envoy Jessica Stern travels to Ireland for LGBTQI+ rights discussions

From June 30 to July 2, Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Jessica Stern will travel to Dublin, Ireland. Special Envoy Stern will meet with senior Irish government officials to discuss Ireland’s efforts to advance LGBTQI+ equality via multilateral fora and domestically to address discrimination and provide mental health support for LGBTQI+ individuals. SE Stern will also meet with Irish parliamentarians to discuss legislative approaches and best practices to strengthen political support for advancing LGBTQI+ equality in Ireland.


U.S. envoy travels to Saudi Arabia and Oman amid rising tensions with Houthis

U.S. envoy travels to Saudi Arabia and Oman amid rising tensions with Houthis

U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking is traveling to Saudi Arabia and Oman this week to continue discussions with partners regarding recent Houthi detentions of UN, diplomatic, and international NGO staff. The talks will also address efforts to secure an immediate end to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.


U.S. congratulates Mongolia on successful parliamentary elections

U.S. congratulates Mongolia on successful parliamentary elections

The United States congratulates the people of Mongolia on participating in the June 28 parliamentary elections and successfully continuing the proud tradition of exercising their democratic right to vote. The United States looks forward to working with Mongolia’s newly elected members of the State Great Khural and its incoming government.


Chairman Green: Biden’s amnesty executive actions 'affront to rule of law'

Chairman Green: Biden’s amnesty executive actions 'affront to rule of law'

Chairman Mark Green of the House Homeland Security Committee stated that President Biden’s newest executive action on amnesty is a security threat and an "affront to the rule of law." Green made the statement in a press release on June 18.


The Digital Chamber speaks out on regulation of filecoin by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

The Digital Chamber speaks out on regulation of filecoin by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

The Digital Chamber, in collaboration with Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, recently released a joint whitepaper arguing that Filecoin (FIL) should not be regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The organization's announcement came in a June 21 blog post.


Derek Maltz: 'Too many Americans have died as a result of the cartel's operations'

Derek Maltz: 'Too many Americans have died as a result of the cartel's operations'

Former Director of the Special Operations Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Derek Maltz, stated that too many Americans have died due to cartel-produced fentanyl. Maltz made this statement in a post on X on June 26.


Rep. Mark Amodei: Legislation to assist DHS with ‘unprecedented flow of migrants day after day’

Rep. Mark Amodei: Legislation to assist DHS with ‘unprecedented flow of migrants day after day’

Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV) stated that the proposed Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2025 would assist border security operations in facing the "unprecedented flow of migrants." Amodei made the statement on June 26 during floor consideration of the bill.


Senator Mike Crapo: Amnesty executive action 'will throw fuel on the fire of the ongoing border crisis'

Senator Mike Crapo: Amnesty executive action 'will throw fuel on the fire of the ongoing border crisis'

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), James Lankford (R-OK), and thirteen others stated that the executive action granting amnesty to illegal migrants will "throw fuel on the fire" at the border. The statement was made in a letter from the Senators to President Biden on June 21.


Fireside chat with FTC Chair Lina M. Khan to be held on June 27

Fireside chat with FTC Chair Lina M. Khan to be held on June 27

The Fireside Chat with FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, hosted by the ABA Antitrust Law Section of Young Lawyer Representatives, will take place on June 27, 2024. During the event, Chair Khan will discuss her background in antitrust law, her experience at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and offer advice for younger attorneys interested in pursuing careers in antitrust and consumer protection law.


Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo addresses National Child Care Innovation Summit

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo addresses National Child Care Innovation Summit

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo addressed the inaugural National Child Care Innovation Summit on June 28, 2024. In her remarks, she emphasized the economic implications of childcare, describing it as a critical issue affecting families, businesses, and communities.


U.S. Navy and Army complete flight test of hypersonic missile

U.S. Navy and Army complete flight test of hypersonic missile

The U.S. Navy and U.S. Army recently completed an end-to-end flight test of a hypersonic missile from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. The test provided data on the performance of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) and Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) All Up Round.


Defense Policy Board convenes at Pentagon for strategic assessment

Defense Policy Board convenes at Pentagon for strategic assessment

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:


AIA urges Congress to increase defense funding following House approval

AIA urges Congress to increase defense funding following House approval

Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO Eric Fanning commended the House of Representatives for passing H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025. In a statement released today, Fanning emphasized the importance of timely and sufficient appropriations for national defense.