Factbox: What China’s tougher national security regime could mean for Hong Kong
China’s parliament has approved a decision to go forward with national security legislation on Hong Kong to tackle secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference in a city roiled by anti-government protests.
Twitter flags China spokesman’s tweet on COVID-19
Twitter has flagged a tweet written in March by a Chinese government spokesman that suggested the U.S. military brought the novel coronavirus to China, as the social media platform ramps up fact-checking of posts.
Costa Rican finance minister steps down amid government shakeup
(This May 28 story corrects to say Costa Rica’s deficit is expected to be equivalent to 8.6% of its GDP, not that the GDP is expected to contract 8.6%)
Hong Kong government warns removing U.S. special status is ‘double-edged sword’
Hong Kong told the United States to keep out of the internal debate over new national security laws being imposed by China, and warned that withdrawal of the financial hub’s special status under U.S. law could backfire on the U.S. economy.
China public security ministry pledges to ‘guide and support’ HK police
China’s public security ministry pledged to “guide and support” the Hong Kong police force after China’s parliament approved a decision to impose a national security law on the semi-autonomous territory, highlighting Beijing’s intention to take a more …
Mexico reports 81,400 total cases of coronavirus and 9,044 deaths
Mexico on Thursday registered 3,377 new cases of coronavirus and 447 deaths, bringing the total numbers to 81,400 cases and 9,044 fatalities, according to information provided by health authorities.
Brazil registers record 26,417 coronavirus cases in a day: ministry
Brazil reported a daily record of 26,417 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, according to the Health Ministry, bringing its total tally to 438,238, second only to the United States in confirmed cases.
Australia’s New South Wales state warns of COVID-19 budget toll
Australia’s biggest state in economic terms said on Friday the coronavirus pandemic could cost it as much A$20 billion ($13.3 billion) in lost revenues over the next four years, underscoring the urgency to revive the country’s stuttering economy.
China reports no new coronavirus cases for May 28
China reported no new confirmed coronavirus cases in the mainland as of the end of May 28, down from two a day earlier, the country’s health authority said on Friday.
Fourth Iranian tanker docks at Venezuelan port, U.S. slams ‘distraction’
The Venezuelan navy said it escorted a fourth tanker bringing Iranian fuel through its waters on Thursday, while the United States called the shipments to the gasoline-starved country a distraction from problems facing President Nicolas Maduro.
