Reuters
–

China announced on Sunday that it would soon resume seafood products imported from several Japanese regions, ending an overall ban for almost two years as treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant is concerned about Japan’s release.

In a notice on Sunday, China’s customs said seafood products from 10 prefectures, including Fukushima, gamma, tochigi, gate, Miyagi, Nagano, Nishidada, Tokyo and Japanese, would still be banned from entering the country.

Other regional products will require a health certificate, a certificate of radioactive substance detection qualification, and a production area certificate issued by the Japanese government for China’s customs declaration, the notice states.

Chinese customs officials said Sunday’s decision came after no abnormalities were detected following long-term and independent sampling and monitoring of discharged wastewater.

In August 2023, China banned all Japanese seafood imports, prompting diplomatic and economic backlash, shortly after Tokyo began to announce the Fukushima wastewater that had been treated.

According to a notice on Sunday, China will strictly oversee Japan’s seafood imports and will take action if it finds violations of relevant Chinese laws, regulations and food safety standards.

Sao Paulo
Associated Press
–

Former Brazilian president, Jia Bolsonaro, attended a public demonstration in Sao Paulo on Sunday, protesting the ongoing Supreme Court trial in the South American country.

Thousands gathered at Paulista Avenue, one of the city’s main locations, and Bolsonaro, known as “Acts for Freedom, Acts for Justice,” held a demonstration before the event.

Bolsonaro and his 33 allies face trial over a conspiracy that is suspected to overturn the 2022 presidential election outcome and maintain power.

They were charged with five counts related to the plan.

The former president has argued and argued that he is a target for political persecution.

If convicted, he could be held in prison for up to 12 years.

“Bolsonaro, come back!” protesters chanted, but the former president is banned from office until 2030.

Brazil’s excellent election court ruled last year that he abused political power and made unfounded claims about the country’s electronic voting system.

Hong Kong
AP
–

The Social Democrats of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party’s League of Political Democrats announced on Sunday that they had dissolved due to immeasurable political pressure, the latest casualty of a longtime crackdown that has already quieted down many of the city’s former local opposition.

After the massive anti-government protests in 2019, many major activists were prosecuted or jailed under the 2020 National Security Act imposed by Beijing. Dozens of civil society groups have been dissolved. A media outlet where the government has been shut down.

The Social Democrats were the only democrats to staged small street protests and held street booth activities to continue defending despite the risks.

Chair Chan Poai-in said the decision to dissolve was made after careful deliberation, especially considering the results of its members and comrades. Chang refused to elaborate on the pressure, but said he was proud that the party had still contributed to the city’s democratic movement in the last few years.

“We remained true to our original desires and had not lost the trust that was placed on us by those who went to prison,” she said. “We are now forced to break up and feel pain in our conscience, but we have no other options,” she said.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, marks its 28th anniversary since it returned to Chinese rule on July 1st. The city was holding its annual democratic protests of the day and various other demonstrations calling for better policies.

However, they stopped after most organizing groups were disbanded and major activists were jailed. Critics say the dramatic political changes under the Security Act reflect the shrinking freedom that Beijing promised to remain in 1997.

The governments of Beijing and Hong Kong have argued that laws are necessary for the city to stabilize. A Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong’s issue in 2023 said the protests were not the only way people could express their views, but informed Beijing’s stance on demonstrations in the city.

In April, Hong Kong’s largest democrat, Democrats, also voted to give leadership an obligation to move towards a potential dissolution. A party’s veteran told The Associated Press that some members were warned of the outcome if the party was not closed. The final vote will be expected at a later date.

Chang said the principle of “one country, two systems” that Beijing uses to govern Hong Kong has already ended, pointing to the imposition of the Chinese government’s security law and introducing the idea of ​​”soft resistance.”

“One country, two systems already have one country, one system,” she said.

Founded in 2006, the Social Democrats Federation was a leftist party opposed to what is called a conspiracy between government and business, and supported the principle that people have a voice and are firmly committed to the interests of underprivileged residents.

It was widely known for its more aggressive tactics when fighting for change. The members threw bananas, eggs and lunch meat to officials or engaged lawmakers as gestures of protest. The party’s platform said the group advocated non-violent resistance but would not avoid physical conflict.

There used to be three lawmakers. The longest serving lawmaker, Leung Kwok-Hung – Chan’s husband – was disqualified from Congress in 2017 for his way of taking his oath.

Members were arrested and imprisoned for activism.

On the streets, the group’s activities sometimes led to the arrest and imprisonment of members.

Last year, former party leader Leung and well-known LGBTQ+ activist Jimmy Sham were sentenced to nearly seven years and more than four years in prison for their role in an informal primary under the Cleaning Security Act. Siam was released from prison last month.

In recent years, the party has limited political influence and no longer holds seats in parliament or local district councils. Even banks no longer offer bank account services to groups.

However, despite the activities that sometimes led to arrest, they continued to stage small protests from time to time. On June 12, Chang and the other members were fined after being convicted of street booth activities.

Attached to their beliefs, they continued to loom and protest against the decision outside the court.

Chang wiped out tears at a press conference on Sunday, and finally chanted the slogan with the other members.

She said she doesn’t believe democracy will come in the near future.

“It’s not easy to move forward,” she said. “I hope everyone will be like an Ember, a flying spark. No matter how small it is, it will live on that light and keep it.”

Jerusalem
CNN
–

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “many opportunities have been opened” following Israeli military operations in Iran, including the possibility of bringing the remaining hostages home in Gaza.

Speaking at the Sinbet Security Agency facility in southern Israel on Sunday, Netanyahu said: “As you probably know, after this victory, many opportunities were opened up. To save the hostages first. Of course, you will need to solve the Gaza problem and defeat Hamas, but you will need to complete both missions.”

Netanyahu’s comments were one of the first times that explicitly prioritized the return of hostages against Hamas’ defeat.

For several months, Netanyahu prioritized Hamas’ defeat in Gaza and spoke about a “complete victory.” At the beginning of May, he called Hamas “the best purpose” without releasing the hostages.

His comments show potentially a major shift in how he spoke on Sunday about Israel’s goals in the war. He has repeatedly faced criticism from hostages, opposition politicians and families in a large segment of Israeli people, and has not clearly placed the return of hostages as Israel’s main goal.

In response to Sunday’s comments, Hostage Family Forum Headquarters called for a single comprehensive deal to reclaim all 50 hostages and end the battle in Gaza.

“What you need is a release, not a rescue. This difference in a word could mean the difference between hostage salvation and loss,” the forum said in a statement.

Elsewhere in the speech, Netanyahu said “a wider regional opportunity is open.” He said this is a clear reference to Israel’s efforts to expand Abraham’s agreement to normalize relations with several Gulf countries.

Netanyahu’s comments come to make a deal with a ceasefire amid growing pressure from US President Donald Trump on Israel. Since the conflict with Iran ended, negotiators have pushed for the resumption of stagnant negotiations with Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu held a high-level meeting in Gaza on Sunday evening to meet some of his closest advisers, including Strategy Minister Ron Dahmer and Defense Minister Israel Katz, to discuss updates on Israeli military operations in the Palestinian Enclave, according to two Israeli sources.

Dahmer is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Trump administration in Washington, D.C. on Monday.

Trump has revealed his desire to end the war in Gaza and secure a ceasefire contract to bring home the 50 hostages Hamas holds. At least 20 people are still alive.

Early Sunday morning, in a social media post, Trump told Israel, “We’re going to make a deal in Gaza. We’ll take hostages back!!!”

Trump previously threw his support behind Netanyahu, accusing his ongoing trial of corruption as a “political witch hunt” – the second time the president calls for an end to prosecution of long-standing Israeli leaders.

The conclusion of the operation in Iran and Trump’s sudden foray into Israel’s legal system – Netanyahu requested this week to postpone his trial session this week.

After rejecting the request twice, the court granted the delay following a secret session in which the judge said there had been changes to the “structure of evidence” compared to previous requests.

The latest proposal from US envoy Steve Witkov calls for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 living and 18 dead hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

During this period, both sides will begin negotiations on a comprehensive ceasefire agreement to end the war. This is a significant demand from Hamas as part of any transaction.

Hamas is seeking stronger assurances about a permanent ceasefire. Until now, Israel refused to agree to a lasting end of the conflict, as it pursued its war goals to destroy Hamas’ ability to govern and Gaza’s disarmament. However, Israel’s success in military operations against Iran may have created a new window into pursuing negotiations. This is an opportunity for negotiators to capitalize.

Despite Israeli forces’ growing operations and new evacuation orders for parts of northern Gaza on Sunday, security sources told CNN that the troops are encouraged to pursue a diplomatic path in Gaza after more than 20 months of combat and the removal of senior Hamas leaders.

More than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes and military operations since the start of the war, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, which does not distinguish between extremists and civilians. That number includes more than 17,000 children, the ministry said.

At least 15 people were killed when Israel was attacked by Jabaraya Al Balad and Jabaraya Al Nazare on Sunday, according to emergency workers in Gaza.

Fares Afana, head of Northen Gaza Emergency Services, told CNN on Sunday evening that between 10 and 15 people remained under the tiled rub.

One of the hit houses was “full of displaced people, and most of them were children,” Afana said.

Rome
AP
–

Major heat waves in Southern Europe have pushed temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in countries including Italy, Spain and Greece.

Experts have linked the frequency and intensity of these heatwaves to climate change, warning that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common in the southern regions of Europe.

A serious heat wave was recorded in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal before the weekend, with locals and tourists taking shelter from the slower situation.

Two-thirds of Portugal were highly wary of extreme heat and wildfires on Sunday, with temperatures expected to exceed 107 Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) in Lisbon.

In Italy, several regions of Lazio, Tuscany, Calabria, Puglia and Umbria had planned to ban outdoor work activities during the hottest times of the day, in response to record high temperatures. Italian trade unions have urged the government to expand such measures at a national level.

On Sunday, Italian Ministry of Health placed 21 of 27 monitored cities under the highest heat warning, including top holiday destinations such as Rome, Milan and Naples.

In Rome, tourists looked for shade near popular places such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, and used umbrellas to drink from public water fountains to keep them cool.

Similar scenes have been reported in Milan and Naples, with street vendors selling lemonade to tourists and residents to provide a refreshing refreshment from the heat.

Greece was once again warned of high wildfires due to extreme weather. The first summer heat wave was expected to continue throughout the weekend.

A massive wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, forcing evacuation and road closures near an ancient temple in Poseidon. Strong winds spread flames, damage the house and send smoke into the sky.

Greek authorities deployed 130 firefighters, 12 and 12 helicopters to combat the flames, but police evacuated 40 people and five areas received evacuation orders.

In Spain, locals and tourists were desperately trying to cool this weekend as they were getting hot with temperatures of 107 Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) in southern cities along with other parts of the southern and central Seville.

Spain’s southern region recorded temperatures above seasonal averages, prompting health alerts and safety recommendations from authorities. The country’s National Weather Service AEMET says June is set to break yet another record, and will be the hottest month since the record began.

Experts warned that severe fever can affect daily life, especially for vulnerable populations such as elderly people and children.

Local governments advised physical activity during the hottest times of the day and recommended drinking plenty of liquids.

The Lancet Public Health Study published last year highlights the increased risk of heat-related deaths caused by climate change. The study predicted that fever-related deaths could exceed quadruple up by the middle of the century under current climate policy.

Although more people die colder than heat, the study highlighted that rising temperatures offset the benefits of mild winters, leading to a significant net increase in heat-related mortality.

CNN
–

Turkish police said that authorities had banned authorities as part of a long-standing clampdown of LGBTQ+ events as at least 30 people in central Istanbul tried to take part in the Pride march on Sunday, according to opposition politicians.

Footage obtained by Reuters showed police brawled with a group of activists who had raised rainbow flags in the city centre before cutting them up and loading them into police vans.

Kezban Konuk, a pro-Kurd Dem MP who attended in March, told Reuters that at least 30 people had been detained.

Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office previously deemed the march illegal and said groups that promote the event were run “illegally.”

Authorities have banned Pride March in Turkey’s largest city since 2015, citing public safety and security concerns.

President Tayyip Erdogan’s Muslim-based AK Party has adopted increasingly harsh rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community over the past decade.

In January, Erdogan declared 2025 as a “year of family,” describing the LGBTQ+ movement for undermining traditional values, describing Turkey’s declining birth rate as an existential threat.

“The main goal of the gender neutralization policy, which is being used by LGBTs as abuse RAM, is the sanctity of family and family institutions,” Erdogan said in January.

Rights groups have denounced Turkish stance. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned that government rhetoric and behavior promote a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ people, contributing to increased discrimination and violence.

Despite the ban, a small group of activists continues to mark Pride Week every year. Organizers say the increasingly aggressive police response reflects Turkish dissent and wider crackdowns on freedom of assembly.