North Korea has proposed to conduct talks with America just a few days after they cancelled a meeting with officials from South Korea. The National Defence Commission (which is North Korea’s “highest guiding organ of the military and the managing organ of military matters” according to their 1998 constitution) demanded “serious discussions” to “secure peace and stability”. The US also demanded “credible negotiations” as long as they complied with UN regulations.

This is North Korea and America’s first high-level talks since 2009, with only smaller meeting since. The threat of nuclear war and attacks on South Korea and the US coupled with false promises to work  amicably with these countries led to a renewed desire to engage in high-level talks.

North Korea has constantly been pushing the boundaries, conducting three nuclear tests in the past few years, angering most of the world and their only ally, China. The high-level talks to be conducted are a break-through in almost non-existent compromise previously. Earlier sanctions imposed by China led to increased threats from north Korea and the cutting of hotlines used for emergency communication with the South.

Although earlier in the week North Korea agreed to talk with the South they later cancelled the meeting accusing them of “deliberate disturbance” by changing the head of its delegation. However, they have now said they will be willing to have “serious discussions on a wide range of issues, including the US goal to achieve the world free of nuclear arsenal”.

Do you think North Korea will go ahead with the talks? Will the talks have a positive or negative consequence?

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In Turkey, protests have broken out in the biggest unrest in a decade. Read on to find out why…

Why are they protesting?

Late May trouble began in protest to the proposed demolition of one of  Istanbul’s green spaces (Gezi Park), which has a huge symbolic value to many of the locals. The government planned to use the space to build a replica Ottoman-era barracks and a mosque on the site

Why did so many end up protesting?

Although the protest started off small the police agitated the locals when they tried to clear the protesters away with tear gas and water cannons. As a result, in early June, thousands of people joined in. The government has admitted to overreacting, but so far there have still been approximate 2,800 protesters injured, 800 arrests and 2 deaths.

Public outcry has led to the Kenyan government to cut MP salaries by $45,000 to $75,000 (approximately 40%). Protesters called the Kenyan MPs ‘MPigs’ forcing this decision despite a previous decision in May where MPs saw their salary rise to $120,000.

However, MPs will receive a $58,000 car allowance for agreeing with the cut, as well as a large pension, an armed guard, a diplomatic passport and access to airport VIP lounges. The MPs believe that they deserve the high salaries, often providing financial help to their constituents. Although many would agree the MPs are hard working the public outrage stemmed from the fact that they were receiving well over the national average income of $1,800 per year.

On Friday, Iran is holding an election for a new president. In total 7 contenders are hoping to gain the presidency after 1 contender dropped out earlier this month. Although Iran has no true political parties the candidates are ideological distinct (4 are conservatives and 3 are cautious reformers)

Is the current President standing?

The current president – President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – is unable to serve another term after already serving a maximum of two consecutive terms.