Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, June 15

COPENHAGEN — Governments, health partners and civil society need to act together with urgency to keep monkeypox at bay in the European region, Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe, said here on Wednesday.

“Europe remains the epicenter of this escalating outbreak, with 25 countries reporting more than 1,500 cases, or 85 percent of the global total,” he said, stressing that the magnitude of the outbreak posed a real risk. (Europe-Monkeypox)

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TOKYO — Japan concluded its 150-day regular parliamentary session Wednesday, with the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida deciding amid political and party headwinds an upper house election will be held on July 10.

Official campaigning ahead of the election will kick off on June 22, government officials said, with the focus of the election race likely to be centered around soaring prices and measures for economic growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Japan-Upper House Election)

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TEHRAN — Eight people died in a blast at a birthday party in a city near the Iranian capital of Tehran on Tuesday, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The incident took place at a traditional cafe in Maryam Town of Shahriar city, IRNA quoted Shahin Fathi, managing director of the non-profit organization Red Crescent Society of Tehran Province, as saying. (Iran-Blast)

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ADDIS ABABA — An Ethiopian official disclosed on Wednesday a night curfew has been imposed in Gambella city, capital of Ethiopia’s western Gambella region.

Umod Ujulu, Chief Administrator of Gambella region, said the curfew which starts at 8 p.m. and continues until dawn was imposed in the aftermath of a rebel attack on Gambella city on Tuesday. (Ethiopia-Gambella-Curfew)

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MEXICO CITY — At least 10 “heavily” armed gunmen were killed in a shootout with Mexican police in the Texcaltitlan municipality of Mexico state, officials said on Tuesday.

The gunfight began when agents from the local prosecutor’s office attempted to carry out an arrest warrant and were met with gunfire, according to authorities. (Mexico-Police-Gunmen)