1. Crucial points for June 18: North Korea developments,Undocumented spouses' issues, Extreme summer temperatures, LGBTQ+ rights advancements, Boeing updates
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1. North Korea Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking on a seldom visit to North Korea today, strengthening an anti-West alliance with leader Kim Jong Un. This is Putin's first visit to the country in over twenty years and the initial time another world leader has entered the secluded capital of Pyongyang since the COVID-19 pandemic. The US, South Korea, and other countries claim North Korea has been providing substantial military aid to Russia's conflict in Ukraine, while concerns have risen that Moscow may be violating international sanctions to support North Korea's development of its fledgling military satellite program. The journey also occurs as tensions remain high on the Korean peninsula after Kim Jong Un ended a long-standing policy of pursuing a peaceful reunification with South Korea.
2. Undocumented Spouses Protection
The Biden administration will announce an executive action today that will safeguard certain undocumented spouses and children of US citizens from deportation. This policy will grant legal status and protections for approximately 500,000 American families and roughly 50,000 noncitizen children of immigrants under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a US citizen, a senior administration official said. The action represents one of the federal government’s biggest relief programs for undocumented immigrants since the DACA program was announced in 2012. The action is aimed at appealing to key Latino constituencies in battleground states — including Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia — that will be essential for Biden’s chances to secure a second term.
3. Summer Heatwave
Approximately 270 million people in the US could witness temperatures at or above 90 degrees this week as a powerful heatwave heralds the official start of summer on Thursday. Parts of the Midwest to the Northeast may experience the longest heatwave they’ve encountered in decades, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. Temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday will be the hottest days of the week for numerous metropolitan cities, and the days that follow will only be slightly less oppressive. Some areas, including Montpelier, Vermont; Syracuse, New York; and Pittsburgh, haven't seen such temperatures in around 30 years. Affected areas have initiated heat protocols, such as cooling centers to help prevent heat-related illnesses.
4. LGBTQ+ Rights in Thailand
Thailand will become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after the kingdom’s Senate approved a marriage equality bill today, with supporters praising it as a “historic step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.” Thailand's Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill, with 130 lawmakers in support and four opposing it. The result of the vote means that Thailand will become the third place in Asia to allow marriage equality, following Taiwan, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2019, and Nepal in 2023. Meanwhile, in the US, six states blocked the Biden administration’s new protections for LGBTQ+ students on Monday. The new rules require schools to protect students from all sex discrimination amid a recent wave of laws aimed at restricting the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans.
5. Boeing Scrutiny
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun plans to apologize for Boeing's recent safety lapses during Senate testimony today. It is the latest congressional hearing this year concerning safety issues at Boeing but the first time Calhoun has testified in his over four years leading the company. The plane manufacturer has been under intense scrutiny with numerous federal investigations and congressional hearings since a January 5 Alaska Air Boeing 737 Max flight experienced a door plug explosion, creating a gaping hole in both the plane and Boeing's reputation. Boeing has been directed by the FAA to enhance its safety issues before it can resume routine production, causing complications for airlines and elevated fares for passengers.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
Boston Celtics Capture 2024 NBA ChampionshipThe Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 in Game 5 on Monday night to win the series 4-1 and obtain their league-record 18th title.
Euro 2024: France Captain Kylian Mbappé Suffers Broken NoseMbappé, widely considered one of the world’s best soccer players, has questions over his participation in France’s encounter against the Netherlands on Friday after breaking his nose at Euro 2024.
‘Purple Potato’: Gordon Ramsay Showcases Severe Bruise after Bike IncidentOuch! Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay unveiled a substantial purple bruise on his torso after a recent cycling accident in Connecticut.
McDonald’s Abandons AI Ordering at Drive-Thrus - For NowSome customers were far from impressed ... The fast food chain has paused its AI-powered ordering technology during testing after it ran into some snags.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Catches a Ride on a Commercial PlaneA sudden detour for a first-class passenger! An Air New Zealand plane was sent to fetch Prime Minister Christopher Luxon when his government aircraft broke down.
100 Years ago, French authorities enacted a ban on swimming in the Seine due to the river's pollution. Efforts to clean up the water for the 2024 Olympic Games are ongoing, but recent tests show that the Seine might not be safe for a dip yet due to elevated E. Coli bacteria levels, which could pose health risks to athletes.
TODAY’S QUOTE
"We've got a lot on our plate and no moment to waste."
— Dr. Tom Frieden, former director of the CDC from 2009 to 2017, urging US health officials to speed up testing and monitoring of the H5N1 bird flu. Frieden argues that the US's reaction to the virus has been "disorganized and insufficient" compared to other nations that have quicker and more efficient strategies to prevent bird flu breakouts.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Check out your local weather forecast here>>>
AND FINALLY...
When should we let our child dive into social media? On Monday, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called on Congress to label social media apps with their potential hazards, just as they do with cigarettes and alcohol. Check out this video to find out about the dangers of social media and smartphone usage in children, and what Murthy's strategy is with his own kids.
Read also:
The US government is closely monitoring North Korea's relationship with Russia, given the latter's alleged provision of military aid to Russia's conflict in Ukraine and potential violations of international sanctions to support North Korea's satellite program.
The Biden administration's executive action aims to protect undocumented spouses and children of US citizens from deportation, which could impact approximately 500,000 American families.
