This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service.

I'm Jackie Leonard and at 13 hours GMT on Tuesday, June the 18th,

these are our main stories.

North Korea is preparing to welcome Vladimir Putin on his first visit there in more than 20 years,

and police in Kenya have fired tear gas and used water cannon

to try to disperse protesters opposed to a new finance bill.

Also in this podcast the Senate in Thailand has passed a law allowing same sex marriage

the first in Southeast Asia to do so.

They will be able to legally marry, that will be able to manage jointly of their property,

that will have the right to receive benefits and fold they will have consent for medical treatment.

And a parkour runner has caused anger in Italy after damaging an ancient building in the city of

Materra.

We begin in North Korea, which as we record this podcast is preparing for the arrival of President Putin. Last year the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

travelled to Russia in a bulletproof train to meet Pladymed Putin.

Now President Putin is on his way to Pyongyang

for a reciprocal visit. He's traveling by plane

though. Beyond that we know very little about the details of Mr Putin's trip.

North Korea is one of the most secretive nations on Earth. What we do know is that since the Russian

invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the two men have become closer and closer. Both

countries are dealing with tough international sanctions.

Pyongyang has been accused of providing Moscow with munitions

in return for aid and military technology.

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