Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Algerians vote in early parliamentary elections despite calls for a boycott from the opposition.
- AMERICAS: The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States announced that the recent presidential vote in Peru was a “positive electoral process” in which “serious irregularities” were not found.
- ASIA: Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow was released from prison after serving nearly seven months for her role in an unauthorized gathering during anti-government protests in 2019.
- EUROPE: Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between Washington and Moscow are low, in statements days before meeting with US President Joe Biden.
- MIDDLE EAST: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is citing voter fraud while preparing for one last fight to remain in power and extend his 12 consecutive years as the nation’s leader.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: A teenager who recorded the murder of George Floyd on her smartphone was recognized at the Pulitzer Prize ceremony for her “transformative video” that spurred protests around the world.
Top Story
- Global: The G7 summit continues with the powerful nations promising more efforts to help the global economy and counter China
- Joe Biden has gained support at the G7 summit for a “carry on spending” plan, as western leaders rejected austerity in a post-Covid world and promised to deal with inequality at home and abroad.
- G7 leaders are expected to agree on a joint declaration to prevent another pandemic as they resume wide-ranging talks at their first in-person summit in almost two years.
- The Group of Seven will seek to compete with China’s multi-trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative by announcing a global infrastructure plan to help developing nations, a senior official in President Joe Biden’s administration announced.
- US President Joe Bide will encourage Western countries to counter China’s growing influence on the second day of the G7 summit.
- Reporting: FT, AFP, Reuters, BBC
Africa
- Algeria: Citizens vote in early parliamentary elections despite calls for a boycott from the opposition. (DPA)
- Ethiopia: The nation recorded 214 new COVID-19 cases, taking the nationwide tally to 273,892. (Xinhua)
- Mali: French soldiers have killed a jihadist suspected of being behind the kidnapping and death of two French journalists in 2013. (The Guardian)
Americas
- Brazil: The nation recorded 2,216 more deaths from COVID-19 and 85,149 additional cases. (Xinhua)
- Costa Rica: The U.N. General Assembly approved the nomination of economist Rebecca Grynspan to lead the U.N. agency promoting trade and development, the first woman and Central American to lead the Geneva-based organization. (AP)
- Peru: The Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States announced that the recent presidential vote in the country was a “positive electoral process” in which “serious irregularities” were not found. (AFP)
Asia
- China: The leading representative of the mainland government in Hong Kong said people trying to turn the city into a “pawn in geopolitics” were the “real enemies” and Beijing was the true defender of the city’s special status. (Reuters)
- China: Top U.S diplomats had another sharply worded exchange with officials in Beijing, stating they told the U.S. to stop interfering in its internal affairs and accusing Washington of politicizing the search for the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP)
- Hong Kong: Pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow was released from prison after serving nearly seven months for her role in an unauthorized gathering during anti-government protests in 2019. (Reuters)
- India: The nation recorded 84,332 additional COVID-19 infections over the past 24 hours, the lowest in more than two months. (Reuters)
Europe
- Region: Germany and Denmark mark one hundred years of peaceful relations along their shared border, with leaders from both countries attending a celebration commemorating the anniversary. (DPA)
- Region: French President Emmanuel Macron offered to reset relations with Britain as long as Prime Minister Boris Johnson abides by the Brexit divorce deal he signed with the European Union. (AFP)
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin said relations between Washington and Moscow are low, in comments days before meeting with US President Joe Biden. (DPA)
- Spain: Thousands of people will gather in the Madrid square to protest against the Socialist-led government’s handling of the Catalan independence crisis. (The Guardian)
Middle East
- Iran: The former speaker of the Iranian parliament Ali Larijani demanded an explanation from an election watchdog on why he was prohibited from running in next week’s presidential election. (Reuters)
- Iraq: The oil ministry said the energy sector is recovering after a catastrophic year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP)
- Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is citing voter fraud while preparing for one last fight to remain in power and extend his 12 consecutive years as the nation’s leader. (CNN)
Tech & Communications
- Media: A teenager who recorded the murder of George Floyd on her smartphone was recognized at the Pulitzer Prize ceremony for her “transformative video” that spurred protests worldwide. (Telegraph)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 12JUN21)
- Confirmed cases: 175,284,099
- Deaths: 3,785,243
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 12JUN21)
- Confirmed cases: 16
- Deaths: 12
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 12JUN21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (13JUN21)
- Global: G7 Summit concludes in the UK, with President Biden among attendees.
- Belarus: Limits diplomatic and technical personnel at the U.S. embassy.
- Germany: Deutsche Bahn set to send its first XXL-sized train onto the tracks.
- Chile: Regional governor elections second round.
- Finland: municipal elections.
- Switzerland: Referendum as voters decide whether to repeal COVID-19 laws.
- United Kingdom: First Lady Jill Biden meets UK vets who participated in the 1,000-mile walk in 2018.
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