Politics

Bloomberg China’s top legislative body approved a landmark national security law for Hong Kong, a sweeping attempt to quell dissent that drew fresh US retaliation and could endanger the city’s appeal as a financial hub. The National People’s Congress Standing Committee voted unanimously to approve the law on the former British colony as a three-day meeting began to wrap up ...

Bloomberg Joe Biden is set to sharply criticise Donald Trump’s stewardship of the response to the coronavirus pandemic, saying the president is dismissing the threat of the virus as cases surge. More than six months after the first reported Covid-19 case in the US, Biden on Tuesday will deliver a speech in Wilmington, Delaware, outlining what he will call a ...

Bloomberg President Donald Trump has publicly shrugged off allegations that Russia offered bounties to kill American troops in Afghanistan, reigniting concerns that he’s more interested in preserving ties with the Kremlin than defending US interests. Trump has yet to demand an investigation or threaten Russia with any consequences if the allegations are confirmed — even as lawmakers from both parties ...

Bloomberg Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s estranged brother won’t stand in the July 10 election, removing a potential obstacle for the ruling party as it seeks to retain its 55-year grip on power. “I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee,” Lee Hsien Yang said in a Facebook post ...

Bloomberg Tokyo is set to revise how it monitors the state of coronavirus infections in the city, as daily new cases in the Japanese capital rise after a state of emergency was lifted and businesses resumed operations. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will not reimpose restrictions on businesses based solely on numerical guidelines, according to domestic media reports citing the government. ...

Bloomberg Brazil’s government was expected to announce on Tuesday the extension of an aid to informal workers for a few more months, seen as crucial to poorest people amid pandemic impacts on the economy. Country’s unemployment rose in May to 12.9% from 12.6% in April, according to the national statistic agency. Primary deficit hit 131.4 billion reais in May from ...

Bloomberg Russia dismissed US intelligence findings reported by American media that it paid bounties for the Taliban to kill American and allied soldiers in Afghanistan as “fake news.” The intelligence assessments are part of the domestic political battle in the US ahead of November presidential elections, said Zamir Kabulov, President Vladimir Putin’s envoy to Afghanistan. “It’s hard to explain otherwise ...

Bloomberg Pakistani security officials killed four gunmen in Karachi before they could enter the stock exchange building with automatic rifles and hand grenades. The attackers were not able to enter the main compound, Farrukh Khan, chief executive officer of the exchange said by phone. The situation is under control now, said Khan. The KSE 100 index, which dropped after news ...

Bloomberg The White House denied reports that President Donald Trump had been briefed by intelligence officials about, but had done nothing to respond to, an effort by Russian President Vladimir Putin to put bounties on US and allied troops in Afghanistan. The statement came shortly after Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden slammed Trump for the alleged inaction, which was first ...

Bloomberg China’s top legislative body will vote on Hong Kong’s security legislation on Tuesday morning, the day before the city’s handover anniversary, Now TV News reported, signalling Beijing may soon hand down a measure that pro-democracy activists and business groups say could erode the city’s unique freedoms. At a three-day meeting that started on Sunday, the National People’s Congress Standing ...