Africa
Kenya strikes deal with EU – Kenya and the European Union have agreed to a new trade deal that is expected to make Kenyan goods cheaper for European consumers. The deal is also expected to increase exports and create more jobs in Kenya. Kenya President William Ruto said the deal will stimulate the country’s manufacturing and export of finished, “value-added products” out of Kenya.
Three arrested in Uganda after dozens killed at school – Ugandan authorities arrested three people in connection to an attack on a school that left 40 people dead in the country. Most of the victims were students, and reports suggest that the attackers burned many of them in their dormitory. The Ugandan army is still on the hunt for the Islamist militants who have been blamed for the attack.
Asia
South Korea LGBT pride festival leads to clashes – City workers in South Korea’s Daegu city clashed with police over the weekend in an effort to stop an annual LGBT pride festival. Police forcibly removed some city workers to allow festival organizers to set up the event. The city’s conservative mayor had previously supported a motion that would’ve banned the festival, claiming people on the streets would restrict businesses. Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu’s mayor, is known for his anti-LGBT stance.
Japan changes age of consent – Japan passed new laws that redefine rape and raise the age of consent. The definition of rape was changed to “non-consensual sexual intercourse” from “forcible sexual intercourse.” The country also changed the legal age of consent from 13 to 16 years old. Japan’s parliament also outlined eight scenarios where it is difficult for a victim to “form, express, or fulfill an intention not to consent” to sexual intercourse.
Europe
Drought in Spain – So far this year, Spain has received 28 percent less rain than expected. This has been the hottest spring in Spain since 1961, and temperatures are likely to continue to be high throughout the summer. Flamingos at the Fuente de Piedra wetlands, a natural reserve for the birds, have been forced to hatch chicks in other locations. Only around 24 adult birds are still at the wetlands. Officials blamed climate change for the birds moving away from the area.
English Channel remains busy for migrant travel – From last Thursday to Saturday June 18, more than 1,000 migrants crossed the English Channel. In June, about 2,596 migrants arrived at the UK after crossing the Channel from France. So far this year, more than 10,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel, but that number is down by 10 per- cent compared to same time period last year.
Latin America
Peru Health Minister resigns – Peru Health Minister Rosa Gutiérrez resigned from her position because of the country’s struggle to control a dengue fever outbreak. The dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes and is most common in tropical and subtropical climates. There have been 146,000 reported cases, and at least 248 people have died because of the outbreak. Officials are worried the outbreak will get worse because of heavy precipitation that is expected to hit Peru later in the year.
Brazil soccer team protests racism – Brazil’s men’s soccer team wore an all-black uniform in the first half of a game against Guinea in Spain as part of an anti-racism campaign. Vinicius Jr, a forward on the team, was the target of racial abuse multiple times in Spain while playing in the country recently. Before the game, both teams stood behind a banner that read “with racism, there is no game” in Portuguese.
North America
US/China pledge to stabilize relations – U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited with China President Xi Jinping earlier in the week in Beijing. Xi said talks between the two countries have made progress while Blinken suggested both sides were open to further discussions. However, Blinken stressed that there are still major differences between the two countries. Relations between the two countries took a turn for the worse because of a Trump-era trade war.
Texas prepares for heatwave – Texas is preparing for brutal heat that is expected to strain power grids because of residents using air conditioners. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory, and temperatures could feel as hot as 110F at times. Some cities in the state opened cooling centers for vulnerable residents. Texas recently dealt with a tornado that left three people dead as well.
