1. North Korea suffers drought North Korea has been hit by what it describes as its worst drought* in a century, which could worsen food shortages in a country where the United Nations says almost one-third of children under 5 are stunted* because of poor nutrition. The country suffered a devastating famine* in the 1990s and relied on international food aid. The North’s KCNA news agency said on June 16 that paddies* were drying up for lack of rain. 2. Gunman kills 9 in U.S. church attack A white gunman was on the run on June 18 after shooting at least nine worshippers* in a historic black church in a southern U.S. city. Churchgoers had gathered for a prayer meeting in the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17 in Charleston, South Carolina when the shooter walked in, sat with the congregation for about an hour and then opened fire. In the attack, three men and six women were killed and several other people were wounded. 3. Murdoch hands company to sons Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox said on June 16 its board approved a shakeup* that put the 84-year-old tycoon’s son James in the chief executive job. The media-entertainment conglomerate’s board approved the plan, in which Rupert would step down as CEO and become co-executive chairperson with his other son, Lachlan. The succession plan, which was leaked last week by sources close to the company, allows Rupert to ease out of the day-to-day management of the group, with his sons sharing many of those tasks. 4. S. Korea approves Park’s pick for PM South Korea’s parliament approved President Park Geun-hye’s choice for prime minister on June 18 after the incumbent* stepped down following an allegation that he accepted illegal campaign funds from a businessman. The post of prime minister is largely ceremonial in South Korea, with the main responsibility being the head of the cabinet. Three nominees have had to step down before confirmation after allegations of impropriety surfaced. Park’s nominee is Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, a career prosecutor whom Park’s office said was the right person to clean up corruption and help bring about political reform. 5. Traffic light has been red for 28 years Officials in Dresden, Germany, said a traffic light that has been red for the past 28 years will remain red for the future due to regulations. The light has been red since 1987 and allows motorists to turn right after stopping, but any motorists hoping to go straight on to Gerokstrasse will almost definitely run out of fuel before they get a green light. The traffic light has never lit up yellow or green, despite annual maintenance on the intersection, including replacement green and yellow bulbs for the signal. Dresden officials said the city’s traffic light planning is based on directives from The Research Institute for Street Transportation. 6. Hun Sen elected president of ruling party Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen was elected as president of the country’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) on Saturday, replacing a colleague who passed away early this month. A statement released by the CPP said at the 38th congress of the party’s central committee Hun Sen was elected as president. The election was held 12 days after Chea Sim, former president of the CPP and the Senate, passed away on June 8 due to illness and old age.(SD-Agencies) |