As Mexico focuses on coronavirus, drug gang violence rises
The coronavirus is threatening to hamstring Mexico’s fight against some of its most vicious drug gangs, as police and officials fall sick, security forces are diverted to guard medical centers and military barracks are converted to COVID-19 clinics.
Factbox: Major incidents in Mexico’s drug gang conflict
Mexico has been blighted by rising violence during its so-called ‘War on Drugs’ that began in 2006 during the administration of former President Felipe Calderon, who sent in armed forces to tackle the increasingly powerful drug cartels.
Divers cut, plant coral off UAE coast to build reef
Off the east coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) coral freshly removed from a reef is cut into pieces and replanted by a group of divers in the waters below.
Macron visits London to mark de Gaulle’s WW2 resistance call and talk Brexit
French President Emmanuel Macron visited London on Thursday for a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle’s call for wartime resistance, and to discuss Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
U.S.-China tech war bigger risk than coronavirus, EU chamber chief says
The coronavirus has disrupted supply chains and demand across the global economy, but it is the prospect of Europe becoming a casualty in the U.S.-China tech war that keeps the president of the European Chamber in China “awake at night”.
Indians hold funerals for soldiers killed at China border, burn portraits of Xi
Indians burned portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday as families cremated some of the 20 soldiers killed in hand-to-hand fighting with Chinese troops in a disputed mountainous border region.
Beijing’s coronavirus outbreak under control, Chinese expert says
Beijing has brought its latest coronavirus outbreak under control, a Chinese medical expert said on Thursday, although the capital can still expect sporadic new cases.
Kremlin dismisses ‘absurd’ UK accusations Russia is exploiting coronavirus opportunities
The Kremlin on Thursday described accusations by Britain that Russia, along with China and Iran, was looking to exploit opportunities created by the coronavirus, as “absurd”.
Denmark will open to most European nations except Sweden, Portugal
Denmark will allow citizens from European countries with a low number of COVID-19 infections to enter the country from June 27, the Danish foreign ministry said on Thursday.
U.S. senators unveil bill to curb foreign espionage, influence on campuses
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at protecting research and innovation on U.S. campuses and preventing suspected theft of intellectual property by China and other countries.
