Eurozone Faces Tough Hurdles Early In 2012

North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un is rolling out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he makes his first trip to the country in 24 years for a two-day visit to a crucial arms supplier as the war in Ukraine rages on. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Pyongyang has been decorated with Russian flags and portraits of Putin ahead of the Russian President’s visit.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine claimed responsibility Tuesday for an overnight drone attack on a Russian oil facility that started a massive blaze in the latest long-range strike by Kyiv’s forces on a border region. Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an effort to slow down the Kremlin’s war machine.

DUSSELDORF, Germany — Kylian Mbappé suffered a broken nose during France’s 1-0 win against Austria at the European Championship on Monday and will have to wear a protective mask if he plays on at the tournament. The World Cup winning striker had to be substituted after colliding with Austria’s Kevin Danso during the Group D match at Dusseldorf Arena and France coach Didier Deschamps did not know in the immediate aftermath if the injury would rule him out of the rest of Euro 2024. He was taken to a hospital in Dusseldorf and the France’s Football Federation confirmed the extent of the injury. “He will undergo treatment in the coming days, without undergoing surgery immediately,” it said in a statement.

The writing was on the wall—or, at least, in the polls. Despite the fact that young Europeans had turned out en masse to prevent a predicted far-right surge during the 2019 European Parliament elections, they wouldn’t necessarily be compelled to do so again five years later. If anything, many analysts warned in the days and weeks leading up the vote, many of them would end up voting for the far right. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] And vote they did.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Senate voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to approve a marriage equality bill, clearing the last legislative hurdle for the country to become the first in Southeast Asia to enact such a law. The bill passed its final reading with the approval of 130 of the 152 members of the Senate in attendance, with 4 voting against it and 18 abstaining. Read More: Thousands Celebrate Pride in Bangkok With Historic Marriage Equality Law on the Horizon The bill now needs the pro forma endorsement of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, followed by its publication in the Government Gazette, which will set a date within 120 days when it becomes effective. Thailand will become the third place in Asia, after Taiwan and Nepal, to allow same-sex marriage.

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean soldiers fired warning shots to repel North Korean soldiers who temporarily crossed the rivals’ land border Tuesday for the second time this month, South Korea’s military said. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] The South’s military observed increased North Korean construction activities along their heavily armed border to install suspected anti-tank barriers, reinforce roads and plant land mines.