Organized crime casts a shadow over Mexico, affecting 81% of the nation’s territory where 108 million people live, according to a report by AC Consultores.
Criminal groups engage in executions, massacres, drug trafficking, extortion, kidnappings, and attacks on officials across 1,488 of Mexico's 2,471 municipalities, the report says.
The Jalisco Nueva Generación and Sinaloa Cartels are the dominant criminal organizations, operating in 28 and 24 states, respectively. Other cartels, such as the Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, and others, have significant presences, with 175 criminal organizations identified.
A recent study revealed the sheer scale of violence, with 971 homicides recorded in just 12 days of June. This adds to the over 158,000 violent deaths during President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's term. The report points to an unprecedented crime crisis gripping the country.
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U.S. President Joe Biden visited the state of California on Monday, as he kicks off his fundraising campaign for his 2024 presidential run and his new climate plan.
According to the White House, Biden is expected to announce over $600 million in climate investments to help coastal communities around the country fight climate change.
Biden signed a $430 billion bill last August that was touted as the biggest climate package in U.S. history.
Italy’s right-wing coalition government is seeking to #ban Italians from using #surrogacy to have children, even when done abroad. Those found guilty of using surrogates could be face #prison time and #fines according to a draft bill approved by parliament.
The divisive proposal was met with protests by the Italian public. Surrogacy and its promotion have already been banned in Italy since 2004. Italians have since been forced to find #surrogate mothers in other countries where it is legal.
Some proponents of the ban call it “procreational tourism”. They view it as a degrading practice that exploits women economically. Prime Minister Giorgia #Meloni supports the draft ban despite Italy’s declining #birthrate and the country’s looming demographic crisis.
A former student of a Brazilian public school entered the premises saying he wanted his school records before opening fire, according to police.
A 15-year-old female student died and is hospitalized from the tragedy that unfolded at Professora Helena Kolody public school in Brazil's southern city of Cambe on Monday, June 19.
Three days of mourning have been declared, with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva saying it is crucial that the country finds a way to build peace in schools.
Local authorities in Quezon City, Manila, are considering a ban on toy clackers, known locally as 'lato-lato', after a competition involving the toys led to a violent brawl among children on June 17. Local officials reported no severe injuries.
The contest, which challenged participants to keep their clackers going for as long as possible, turned chaotic when tensions escalated into a street fight involving punches, kicks, and the use of toys as weapons.
The noisy toys, which were popular in the 1970s but were banned in several countries including the U.S., UK., and Canada due to injuries, consist of two balls attached to a string and are swung to make a clacking noise.
The U.S. faced another turbulent weekend of gun violence, with numerous shootings in various states leaving communities shocked and mourning. In Willowbrook, Illinois, a mass shooting at a Juneteenth celebration left one dead and at least 22 others injured.
San Francisco, California reported multiple injuries from shootings including one at the popular tourist spot, Fisherman’s Wharf. Meanwhile, in central Pennsylvania, a state police trooper was killed, and another critically injured during an encounter with an armed suspect.
The violence continued in Chicago, where a Father’s Day celebration was marred by a shooting that killed two and injured three. The Beyond Wonderland Music Festival in Washington state turned tragic when a gunman opened fire near a campground, leaving two dead and three injured.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. This came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. and celebrates African American culture.
Traditionally, Juneteenth celebrations include parades, picnics, and barbecues. Families and communities come together to share in food and music that reflect their heritage. Educational events focus on the history and achievements of Black Americans.
In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday, an important step in acknowledging its historical significance. This official recognition encourages wider celebration and education about the contributions and experiences of African Americans.