Global Beat: New Leaders in France and South Korea, and More
Republic of Korea
May 12, 2017
In:
Global Beat is your weekly stop for news from around the world. Join us every Friday morning for important stories you should know about.
This week, France and South Korea elect new presidents; Puerto Rico’s drinking water is at the brink of crisis; the United States considers expanding the military’s role in Afghanistan to combat a resurgent Taliban; and more.
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Americas
Puerto Rico’s drinking water is at the brink of crisis, according to a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council. Nearly all of the tap water on the island violates federal safety standards due to elevated lead levels, bacteria, chemicals, lack of regular testing, and lax adherence to regulations. The U.S. territory is also suffering from high unemployment and is $120 billion in debt.
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Central & South Asia
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial arm of the United Nations, ordered Pakistan to suspend the execution of an Indian man convicted of spying. Kulbushan Jadhav was arrested in March 2016 and sentenced to death last month. India initiated proceedings at The Hague and requested that the ICJ order Pakistan to delay Jadhav’s execution while the case is being considered.
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- Indian solar power prices hit record low, undercutting fossil fuels – Michael Safi, The Guardian
China & East Asia
South Korea elected Moon Jae-in as the country’s next president on Tuesday, following the impeachment, removal, and arrest of former President Park Geun-hye earlier this year. Moon is a liberal human rights lawyer who said he would be willing to go to North Korea and meet with Kim Jong-un. Moon also said in his first speech as president on Wednesday that he would negotiate with Washington and Beijing on the controversial Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system.
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- Taiwan’s rejection from World Health Organization Assembly further strains relations with China – Ralph Jennings, Voice of America
Europe & Russia
France overwhelmingly elected Emmanuel Macron as president on Sunday with about 66 percent of the vote, rejecting challenger Marine Le Pen’s far-right platform. Macron, a political novice and centrist, campaigned on a business-friendly vision of European integration. Le Pen campaigned on taking France out of the EU. Just two days before the election, Macron’s campaign was hacked and tens of thousands of emails were released online.
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- Trump hosts Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ambassador Kislyak at the White House – Bill Chappell, NPR
Middle East & North Africa
President Trump’s military advisors have proposed expanding the U.S. military role in Afghanistan to push back against a resurgent Taliban, including sending an additional 1,500–5,000 troops to the country. The Senate Armed Forces Committee is waiting to hear Trump’s decision, but senators are already showing support for the idea.
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Southeast Asia & Oceania
Jakarta’s outgoing Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday by an Indonesian court for criticizing his opponents’ use of the Quran in last year’s campaign, suggesting to Muslims that they should not vote for a person of another faith. Purnama was found guilty of blasphemy against Islam. He lost his bid for re-election in April to Muslim rival Anies Baswedan. Indonesia has been accused of increasing intolerance for minority religions.
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- Bombing in southern Thailand targets shoppers, injuring at least 56, including children – Lindsay Murdoch, Sydney Morning Herald
Sub-Saharan Africa
South African President Jacob Zuma traveled to Tanzania for an official three-day state visit this week. Zuma and Tanzanian President John Pemba Magufuli discussed technology, trade, investment opportunities, and regional and continental security issues. The leaders also witnessed the signing of three agreements on the environment, energy, and transportation.
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- In Zimbabwe, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador calls for more protection of child victims of sexual violence – UN News Centre
