Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Ethiopia recorded 124 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 274,899.
- AMERICAS: Potential Tropical Cyclone Three is projected to begin weakening as it moves farther inland, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) reports.
- ASIA: Anti-coup protesters in Myanmar wore flowers in their hair to mark the birthday of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest and is due to face court again next week.
- EUROPE: The White House reported that the United States has prepared contingency military support in case of further Russian military incursions into Ukraine.
- MIDDLE EAST: The Saudi Arabian air force destroyed an armed drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement towards Khamis Mushait in the south.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Two executives from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Apple Daily appeared in court on charges of collusion and were denied bail after authorities enacted a sweeping security law to target the anti-Beijing newspaper.
Top Story
- Iran: A hardline ultraconservative candidate is the presumptive winner of the presidential election.
- Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline head of Iran’s judiciary, was declared the country’s new president after his three main rivals congratulated him on his victory.
- With the vote count still ongoing, state TV said Mr. Raisi had so far received 62% of the vote – nearly 18 million of more than 28 million votes cast.
- Outgoing President Hassan Rouhani visited Raisi at his office to congratulate him on his victory, and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated that he would lead the nation well.
- The vote appears to be the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic’s history.
- Raisi will be the first Iranian president sanctioned by the U.S. government even before entering office because of his involvement in the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988.
- Reporting: The Guardian, BBC, Reuters, Telegraph, AP
Africa
- Ethiopia: The nation recorded 124 additional COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide tally to 274,899. (Xinhua)
- South Africa: The nation sent military servicemen to hospitals in the province of Gauteng to help fight against a COVID-19 cases surge. (Xinhua)
- Zimbabwe: President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced a three-day national mourning period for late Zambian founding president Kenneth Kaunda, who died at age 97. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Colombia: A judge sent to prison a police officer accused of killing a teenage protester during an anti-government event in the central city of Ibagué on May 1. (EFE)
- United States: A federal judge stops the C.D.C. from enforcing pandemic rules for cruise ships in Florida. (NYT)
- United States: Potential Tropical Cyclone Three is projected to begin weakening as it moves farther inland, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported. (Reuters)
Asia
- Region: The Australian government announced it was lodging a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization over China’s anti-dumping duties on Australian wine exports, intensifying the trade standoff with Beijing. (Reuters)
- Australia: The largest state in the nation, New South Wales (NSW), reported two locally acquired COVID-19 cases. (Reuters)
- China: The airport in the southern city of Shenzhen said that anyone entering the premises must show a negative virus test taken within 48 hours before entry. (Reuters)
- India: The nation recorded 60,753 new COVID-19 cases and 1,647 deaths over the past 24 hours. (Reuters)
- Myanmar: Anti-coup protesters in the nation wore flowers in their hair to mark the birthday of ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently under house arrest and is due to face court again next week. (AFP)
Europe
- Region: The White House reported that the United States has prepared contingency military support in case of further Russian military incursions into Ukraine. (RFE)
- Poland: Warsaw is about to hold the largest gay pride parade in the region after a pandemic-induced break despite a backlash in Poland and Hungary against LGBT rights. (AP)
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party is having its congress before September parliamentary elections that come during a sweeping crackdown on the beleaguered opposition. (AFP)
- Russia: An airplane carrying parachute jumpers in the Kemerovo Region crashed, killing four and injuring eight others. (TASS)
Middle East
- Region: The Saudi Arabian air force destroyed an armed drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi movement towards Khamis Mushait in the south. (Reuters)
- Lebanon: The European Union’s foreign policy chief lambasted domestic politicians for delays in forming a new Cabinet, warning the union could enact sanctions on those behind the political stalemate. (AP)
- Syria: The United Nations states that a month-long drought threatens to spur a hunger crisis in the nation, as wheat might be scarce this year due to poor harvests. (DPA)
Tech & Communications
- Media: Two executives from Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Apple Daily appeared in court on charges of collusion and were denied bail after authorities enacted a sweeping security law to target the anti-Beijing newspaper. (AFP)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes:
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 19JUN21)
- Confirmed cases: 177,833,450
- Deaths: 3,851,736
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: Guinea (as of 18JUN21)
- Confirmed cases: 16
- Deaths: 12
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 19JUN21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (20JUN21)
- Armenia: Parliamentary Elections
- France: Regional and Department elections
- Japan: Covid restrictions expected are expected to ease
- Paraguay: Municipal Primary Elections
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