Portal:Current events/2017 June 20
< Portal:Current events
June 20, 2017 (Tuesday)
Armed conflicts and attacks
- Syrian Civil War, Military intervention against ISIL
- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) suspends combat missions against ISIL over Syria, following Russia's threat that it would treat any aircraft from the U.S.-led coalition flying west of the Euphrates as a potential target. (The Guardian)
- A U.S. F-15 shoots down an Iranian Shahed 129 drone near the Jordan–Syria border where U.S. ground forces are based. (BBC)
- 2017 Brussels attack
- A man is shot in Brussels Central Station amid reports of an attempted bombing attack. (BBC)
Arts and culture
Business and economy
- Economy of the United States
- Robert Kaplan, head of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, says that low bond yields suggest sluggish growth ahead for the economy of the United States. (Reuters).
- Uber founder and CEO Travis Kalanick resigns amid pressure from investors due to allegations of sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and corporate misconduct in the company. (The New York Times)
Disasters and accidents
- A heat wave strikes the Western U.S. states of Arizona, California, and Nevada. It is predicted to last until June 23. (CNN)
- 2017 Atlantic hurricane season
- Tropical Storm Cindy makes its way towards the eastern coasts of the Southern United States. (The Weather Channel)
- 2017 Portugal wildfires
- A Canadair firefighting plane reportedly crashes in Pedrógão Grande, central Portugal, while tackling raging wildfires. However, this claim has been denied by Portuguese authorities. (BBC)
International relations
- North Korea–United States relations
- Following the death of 22-year-old U.S. student Otto Warmbier, touring firm Young Pioneer Tours, who arranged Otto's visit to North Korea, say they will no longer be taking U.S. citizens to North Korea as the "risk is too high". Beijing-based Koryo Tours say they are reviewing their positions on taking U.S. citizens to the country. (The Guardian)
Law and crime
- 2017 Venezuelan protests
- The Supreme Court paves the way for the prosecution of Prosecutor General Luisa Ortega Díaz after she voiced criticism towards President Nicolás Maduro. (The Washington Post)
- LGBT rights in Russia
- The European Court of Human Rights rules that Russia's gay propaganda law encourages homophobia, reinforces prejudice and violates the right to freedom of speech. (The Independent)
Politics and elections
- Georgia's 6th congressional district special election, 2017
- Campaigning ends and voting begins in the suburbs of Atlanta in the U.S. state of Georgia between Republican Karen Handel and Democratic Jon Ossoff, where Republican Handel wins the election by a narrow margin. (Atlanta Journal Constitution) (The New York Times)
- The amount of money spent for all candidates, $56 million, sets a new record for a U.S. House of Representatives seat. The previous record was $29.5 million, set in a 2012 Florida race. (Reuters)
- South Carolina's 5th congressional district special election, 2017
- Republican Ralph Norman narrowly defeats Democrat Archie Parnell to win a U.S. House district in north-central South Carolina. (The New York Times)