Connect with us

World News

Biden and Yoon are scheduled to meet to discuss nuclear cooperation, with North Korea

Published

on

Biden and Yoon are scheduled to meet to discuss nuclear cooperation, with North Korea

President Joe Biden is spending his Saturday working to strengthen ties with South Korea’s new leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, as the two sides consult on how to best counter North Korea’s nuclear threat at a time when real diplomacy seems unlikely.

Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided into two separate countries. In a democracy, Biden is touring factories for computer chips and next-generation automobiles in South Korea, where he is also holding talks for increased cooperation. However, in the north, a deadly coronavirus outbreak has broken out in a largely unvaccinated autocracy that can best command the world’s attention by flexing its nuclear weapons.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters aboard Air Force One as Biden arrived in South Korea that the US has coordinated with Seoul and Tokyo on how to respond if the North conducts a nuclear test or missile strike while Biden is in the region or soon after. Sullivan spoke with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi earlier this week, urging Beijing to use its clout to persuade North Korea to stop testing.

Advertisement

According to Sullivan, “China should consider taking whatever steps it can to reduce the possibility of a provocative” act.

Biden is spending his Saturday in Asia as part of a five-day trip, focusing on his relationship with Yoon, who took office just over a week ago. One mission will be to reassure South Korea about the United States’ commitment to confronting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Seoul is concerned that Washington is reverting to the Obama administration’s “strategic patience” policy of ignoring North Korea until it demonstrates seriousness about denuclearization, which was criticised for ignoring the North while it built up its nuclear arsenal.

North Korea has turned down South Korean and US offers of help with its COVID-19 outbreak, lowering hopes that such cooperation could help ease nuclear tensions or even lead to talks. According to senior Biden administration officials who briefed reporters, Biden and Yoon are expected to discuss ways to work with the international community to get much-needed vaccines and tests to the North.

Advertisement

The US president began his visit on Saturday by laying a wreath at Seoul National Cemetery and burning incense while wearing white gloves and a solemn expression. Biden will meet privately with Yoon later, hold a joint press conference, and attend a state dinner at Korea’s National Museum.

One focus will undoubtedly be a menacing but economically vulnerable North. Both leaders, however, are keen to highlight their growing trade relationship, which is being bolstered by the opening of major plants in the United States by two Korean industrial giants, Samsung and Hyundai.

Biden faces mounting domestic opposition as inflation approaches a 40-year high, but his administration sees one clear economic victory in the competition with China. For the first time since 1976, Bloomberg Economics Analysis predicts that the US economy will grow faster than China this year, a prediction that White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre attributed to Biden’s spending on coronavirus relief and infrastructure, which resulted in faster job growth.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked broader discussions between the two countries, and the war has resulted in an unprecedented set of sanctions imposed by the US and its allies.

Advertisement

South Korea has joined the United States in imposing export restrictions on Russia and blocking Russian banks from using the SWIFT payment system. Its involvement was crucial in preventing Russia from gaining access to computer chips and other technologies required for weapons and economic development.

Many White House officials believed that Kim’s nuclear ambitions would prove to be the administration’s most difficult challenge, and that the North Korean leader would try to put Biden to the test early on in his presidency.

Pyongyang held off on missile tests for the first 14 months of Biden’s presidency, despite the administration’s efforts to reach out through back channels in the hopes of restarting talks that could lead to the North’s denuclearization in exchange for sanctions relief.

The silence, however, did not last. North Korea has conducted 16 missile tests this year, including its first flight of an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017 in March, demonstrating a potential range that includes the entire United States.

Advertisement

The Biden administration is urging China to stop North Korea from testing missiles or nuclear weapons. Sullivan said on Air Force One that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping could talk over the phone in the coming weeks.

Biden has slammed Beijing’s human rights record, trade practises, military harassment of Taiwan’s self-ruled island, and other issues. While Biden has stated that China is the US’s greatest economic and national security competitor, he believes it is critical to maintain open lines of communication so that the two countries can work together on issues of mutual concern. North Korea is probably at the top of the list.

Biden will not visit the Demilitarized Zone dividing the Korean peninsula during his visit, according to White House officials, which has become standard for presidents visiting Seoul since Ronald Reagan. Vice President Joe Biden visited the DMZ in 2013. The president’s decision to skip the stop this time, according to Sullivan, was not motivated by security concerns.

Biden will instead visit the Combat Operations Floor of the Air Operations Center on Osan Air Base, south of Seoul, on Sunday. It is considered by the US to be one of the most important installations in Northeast Asia.

Advertisement

Hollywood

Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

Published

on

By

Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

The world watched in disbelief as Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic champion turned global media personality, appeared on social media from a bomb shelter in Israel. Clutching a glass of wine, her video was both surreal and deeply human, capturing a strange blend of calmness and fear as airstrikes echoed above.

Jenner had traveled to Israel for a speaking engagement and wellness summit. The trip, meant to focus on self-discovery and global connection, took an unexpected turn as tensions in the region escalated. Within hours of her arrival in Tel Aviv, the air raid sirens began blaring. Israeli cities braced for potential attacks, and all foreign visitors were advised to seek shelter.

She was rushed by her team to a fortified bomb shelter inside her hotel, a space where several other international guests also gathered. The cemented underground room had minimal lighting, emergency supplies, and a haunting silence broken only by the distant thuds of intercepted rockets.

Advertisement

In that moment, Caitlyn chose to document the situation—not to sensationalize it, but to remind the world that even celebrities are not immune to war. She raised her glass of Merlot and softly said to the camera, “We’re okay, for now. But pray for us. This is very real.”

The video instantly went viral. The internet reacted with a mix of empathy, disbelief, and critique. Some applauded her for staying composed and using her platform to raise awareness. Others questioned the optics—wine in a war zone, they argued, might seem out of touch. But most agreed on one thing: this wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a raw moment of a person caught off guard by war.

Outside, the Iron Dome system of Israel roared to life, intercepting rockets mid-air. The bomb shelter would shake slightly each time a missile was taken down. Caitlyn later shared how that sound felt—“like thunder wrapped in relief.”

Her family in the U.S., including daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, shared their support on social media, asking fans to pray not just for Caitlyn but for all those affected by the conflict. Kris Jenner reportedly stayed in constant contact with Israeli officials and the U.S. embassy to ensure her daughter’s safety.

Advertisement

What made this event even more gripping was Caitlyn’s tone throughout her updates. She wasn’t panicked. She was composed. Even as distant blasts echoed through the concrete walls, she smiled gently and whispered, “We have to believe peace will come.”

Celebrities like Gal Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, showed support and emphasized how civilians on both sides are the ones who suffer most. Public figures including politicians, diplomats, and human rights activists weighed in, turning Caitlyn’s clip into a symbol of global vulnerability.

Back in the U.S., late-night hosts and news commentators debated the moment. Was it a modern-day war diary? Was it tone-deaf privilege? Or was it simply human—a celebrity stripped of luxury, facing a fear no fame could shield her from?

Amid the criticism, one thing was clear: Caitlyn’s update gave millions a personal look into what it’s like to be stuck in the crossfire of geopolitical chaos. Her message was universal—war is real, and no one is truly safe.

Advertisement

She later thanked Israeli defense personnel for their swift actions and praised the people she was sheltered with for their kindness. “There was no panic. Just humanity,” she wrote in another post.

As things began to settle, Caitlyn was finally escorted to Ben Gurion Airport under tight security. She flew back to Los Angeles and appeared on major media outlets to discuss her harrowing experience.

During a heartfelt interview, she said, “This isn’t about politics. This is about people. The children I saw in shelters. The elderly woman holding my hand. The hope in the eyes of the hotel staff, despite the fear. It changes you.”

In a time when conflict often feels distant or abstract, Caitlyn Jenner’s first-hand account pierced through the noise. It reminded the world that bombs don’t differentiate between the famous and the forgotten.

Advertisement

Her final message from the airport lounge, before leaving Israeli soil, was simple: “I’ll carry these memories forever. Pray for the region. Pray for peace. We all deserve it.”

Despite her celebrity status, Caitlyn found herself reduced to the same level of vulnerability as everyone else in that shelter. The walls that separated the public from the private life of a global icon came crashing down, both literally and symbolically.

At one point during the shelter-in-place order, someone recognized her and gently approached, not for a selfie, but simply to ask, “Is this your first time in Israel?” Caitlyn smiled and nodded. The conversation turned from fame to fear, and from politics to prayer.

She later said it was one of the most authentic conversations she’d had in years—no red carpet, no cameras, just two people sharing a moment in crisis.

Advertisement

The emotional toll of the night would weigh on her. In her reflection shared the next day, Caitlyn wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “When you hear bombs falling and realize no amount of wealth can protect you from it—only faith, and the people beside you, matter.”

As missiles were intercepted above ground, the shelter saw shared snacks, whispered reassurances, and even quiet laughter. One Israeli teenager started playing soft music from their phone—Caitlyn remembered the melody was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. It brought some in the room to tears.

The glass of wine she held was not about luxury—it became a symbol. “It was a reminder that life continues, even under threat. We hold on to small rituals to feel human,” she explained later.

Media coverage around the world exploded. Her moment, intended to show resilience, was misinterpreted by some as performative. However, defenders of Jenner pointed out that she never intended it to be a political statement—it was an unfiltered human response to a terrifying situation.

Advertisement

Israeli news networks featured her brief clips, and Hebrew-language newspapers highlighted her gratitude toward the IDF and the civilians she met. Some Israeli citizens thanked her for not fleeing immediately like many foreign visitors had.

Caitlyn’s perspective gave international audiences a glimpse into daily life in conflict zones—where war isn’t just explosions, but the long silences in between, filled with fear, hope, and quiet strength.

Her celebrity status amplified the story, but the emotions she captured resonated with anyone who has ever faced uncertainty. Parents hiding with their children. Travelers stuck abroad. Locals adjusting to fear as a way of life.

Back home, her updates sparked broader conversations about how the media portrays war—often through filtered lenses. But in Caitlyn’s case, it was raw, unpolished, and emotionally honest.

Advertisement

The experience transformed her. She later expressed that despite the horror, she felt deeply connected to those around her. “You learn more about yourself in a bomb shelter than at a luxury spa,” she quipped with characteristic humor.

She also pledged to raise awareness for organizations helping displaced families and war-affected children in both Israel and Gaza. “No child should hear what I heard that night. Or live in shelters like that for weeks,” she said.

Though she was safely home days later, the psychological aftershocks lingered. She admitted she now jumps at sudden loud noises and finds herself thinking about those who remain in conflict zones, day after day.

Her story drew attention not just because it involved a public figure, but because it transcended fame. It was a portrait of shared humanity in crisis.

Advertisement

Global news agencies continued to dissect the moment for days. Some called it “a turning point in how we perceive war.” Others debated whether the wine glass dulled the seriousness of the situation or emphasized the absurdity of war.

In her final Instagram post from that trip, she included a picture of the bunker wall—where someone had drawn a peace sign using lipstick. The caption read simply: “Hope never hides.”

As the media attention faded, Caitlyn returned to her advocacy work and television appearances. But she continued to speak in private events and podcasts about the need to support civilians in conflict zones—not just with policy, but with empathy.

She’s now reportedly working on a short documentary that will feature her footage and interviews with the people she met during the ordeal. Proceeds are expected to go to humanitarian aid.

Advertisement

From fame to fear, from red carpets to concrete shelters, Caitlyn Jenner’s experience in Israel reminded the world that war respects no boundaries—but neither does compassion.

  • Group Media Publication
  1. Construction, Infrastructure and Mining   
  2. General News Platforms – IHTLive.com
  3. Entertainment News Platforms – https://anyflix.in/

Continue Reading
Anyskill-ads

Facebook

Trending