Hong Kong’s government outlawed mockery of China’s national anthem (SCMP) today on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, which the Chinese government crushed with military force. 
​
Hong Kong will deploy three thousand police officers (SCMP) to enforce a ban on an annual candlelight vigil commemorating the protests, ostensibly on public health grounds. Hong Kongers plan to light candles across the city (Reuters) and speak out online instead. The anniversary comes as historic protests continue across the United States against police killings of Black people. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a staunch China hawk who has condemned Beijing’s actions in Hong Kong, wrote an op-ed in the New York Times on Wednesday calling for the military to restore order in the United States.

Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis denounced President Donald J. Trump for dividing the country (Atlantic) amid protests against police killing Black citizens, lamenting what he called a violation of protesters’ constitutional rights for a “bizarre photo op.” His comments came after current Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the use of active-duty forces was not necessary at this time, breaking with the president (NYT) over the military’s response to the protests.

South Korea is planning to ban sending balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang messages (Yonhap) into North Korea after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, threatened to scrap an agreement on reducing military tensions unless the leaflets are stopped.

Australia and India signed a series of agreements (Times of India) during an online summit, including a pact to use each other’s military bases for logistical support, in a move seen as hedging against China. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed ways to boost trade and cooperate on health care.
​
Afghanistan: Australian, Canadian, and European diplomats urged the inclusion of women (TOLO) in peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Russia and Saudi Arabia have agreed to extend oil production cuts through July (WSJ), but the deal could fail if Iran and Nigeria refuse to fully comply with a previously agreed decision to cut production by 9.7 million barrels per day.
​
Libya: The internationally recognized Government of National Accord has retaken control of the Tripoli airport (Al Jazeera) from rebel commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army, a government spokesperson said.

The country is calling for an investigation after U.S. police shot a Gambian citizen (WaPo) in Georgia days after the killing of George Floyd. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Momodou Lamin Sisay, the son of a retired diplomat, fled when officers pulled him over and died after exchanging fire with police.

Rwanda: A French court has agreed to hand over Felicien Kabuga (France 24), suspected of funding the Rwandan genocide, to a UN tribunal.
​
CFR’s Michelle Gavin discusses Kabuga’s involvement in the Rwandan genocide.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a state of emergency (AFP) after twenty thousand tons of diesel spilled into a river above the Arctic Circle. Putin blasted the head of the company responsible for the leak for allegedly failing to quickly report the incident.

CFR’s Brian L. Sittlow explains what’s at stake with rising competition in the Arctic.
​
UK: Former Prime Minister Theresa May criticized her successor Boris Johnson for his handling of Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic (Guardian). May raised concerns about the termination of data and intelligence sharing in the event of a so-called no deal Brexit and about the government’s plan to quarantine travelers.

President Alberto Fernandez said the government is working to implement a one-time wealth tax (Buenos Aires Times) aimed at the country’s richest individuals as it grapples with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Minister of Economy Martin Guzman said last month that the tax would affect eleven thousand people who each have at least $2 million.
​
Canada: The extradition trial for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou could extend into next year (Canadian Press). The associate chief justice agreed to consider appointing a “referee” to expedite the disclosure of documents.