Nairobi (AFP) – In a private, underground space, a “ball” takes place in Nairobi where LGBTQ+ members can feel safe. In a country where being queer remains criminalised, organisers say such events, and tolerance, are growing. But the predominantly conservative Christian nation remains overwhelmingly hostile to those living outside the accepted norms, and a new anti-LGBT bill threatens the community.
Kapıköy (Turkey) (AFP) – Dragging two suitcases and a backpack, Homa crosses the Kapikoy border post in eastern Turkey after a long journey from Tehran. She was in the Iranian capital on vacation on June 13 when Israel launched a large-scale attack on the country, to which Iran responded, with the two countries now engaging militarily with unprecedented intensity. A business analyst in Canada, Homa found herself stranded in Iran, as the country closed its airspace, and had to take a bus on a 850km (530 miles) trip to the Turkish border.
Freetown (AFP) – At the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, two baby chimps in their caretakers’ arms are unaware that deforestation and illegal building are threatening their habitat. Aside from the wildlife, the threat to the forests is also endangering the city’s water supply — a risk experts warn could spark security concerns in a country already vulnerable to climate change.
Beijing (AFP) – China urges countries in the Middle East but “especially Israel” to immediately cease fighting after fresh exchanges of fire with Iran. Their foreign ministry spokesperson also says it opposes the “use of force”, in response to a question about US President Donald Trump warning he was weighing up US military involvement in the conflict.
Beersheba (Israel) (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that in Iran, ‘no one is immune’ when asked if Israel would target Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the seventh day of war between the arch foes. He also thanks Donald Trump for his ‘partnership’ with Israel — after the US President said he was considering joining Israel’s military action against Iran.
Puerto Escondido (Mexique) (AFP) – Boats lie stranded on the beach and buildings bear the scars of Hurricane Erick, as residents and authorities begin clearing debris in the popular tourist town of Puerto Escondido. The powerful Category Three storm slammed into Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing winds of up to 205 kilometers (125 miles) an hour. In the southern state of Oaxaca, locals boarded up homes and businesses and sought shelter as Erick swept through the palm-fringed coastline, leaving a trail of damage in its wake. IMAGES
New York (AFP) – New York’s pride parade, the highest-profile US LGBTQ gathering, is ramping up efforts to raise funds from individual community members as corporate donations have been squeezed as Washington demonizes diversity. NYC Pride’s spokesman Kevin Kilbride said “just about 80 percent of the fundraising goal” for the city’s largest pride parade group had been met.
Bangkok (AFP) – Hundreds of anti-government protesters gather outside Thailand’s Government House, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian lead Hun Sen that triggered public outrage. IMAGES
Santo Domingo (AFP) – Dominicans Maribel and Antonio Espaillat arrive for a pre-trial hearing after being arrested on manslaughter charges over the collapse of a nightclub in Santo Domingo. The two siblings, owners of the Jet Set nightclub, are accused of “immense irresponsibility and negligence” for failing to carry out repairs to the roof, which collapsed in the early hours of April 8 during a concert by merengue star Rubby Perez, killing 236 revelers, including the singer. IMAGES
Tijuana (Mexico) (AFP) – Mexican authorities seal off a property in the border city of Tijuana where a tunnel leading towards the US was found. Mexican authorities say they also seized several doses of methamphetamine at the property where the 350-meter-long tunnel leading towards San Diego was found. IMAGES
Puerto Escondido (Mexique) (AFP) – Gray skies loom over popular tourist town of Puerto Escondido as Hurricane Erick approaches Mexico’s Pacific coast as a powerful Category 3 storm. Now a major hurricane, Erick is expected to bring “potentially destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods to portions of southern Mexico” late Wednesday and Thursday, says the US National Hurricane Center. IMAGES
Acapulco (Mexique) (AFP) – Local police in Acapulco warn people on beach and in the streets of tropical storm Erick. The storm will likely strengthen to a hurricane bringing life-threatening heavy rains in the days to come, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). IMAGES
