Hong Kong to launch massive COVID-19 testing

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam said on Friday that a mass screening for COVID-19 will be launched and any resident can take the testing voluntarily. Full Story

Trump issues order banning U.S. transactions with TikTok in 45 days

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday issued an executive order banning any U.S. transactions with Chinese tech firm ByteDance, owner of popular video-sharing app TikTok, starting in 45 days, a controversial move widely criticized by experts. Full Story

• Tokyo reports 2nd-highest daily jump in COVID-19 cases
• Former Malaysian finance minister slapped with corruption charge
• S. Korea to lift restrictions on arrivals from China's Hubei province
• U.S. media, public divide over government performance amid pandemic, protests
• Trump issues order banning U.S. transactions with TikTok in 45 days

• Canada vows to take countermeasures after U.S. re-imposes 10-pct aluminum tariff
• 16 port employees arrested over Beirut explosions
• Global COVID-19 cases surpass 19 mln -- Johns Hopkins University
• Lebanon's Tripoli port ready to temporarily replace Port of Beirut after deadly blasts
• UN offers emergency funds, plans alternative aid delivery after Beirut explosions

Turkey's lira hits record low against dollar

The Turkish currency dropped to a record low against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, sparking public concerns over the future. Full Story

• Turkey's lira hits record low against dollar
• Scientific expedition completed in South China Sea
• Uber announces Q2 results with 1.8 bln USD loss
• China launches new optical remote-sensing satellite
• China pumps in money to increase emergency supplies

• Wide BDS system application leads to better life
• Tokyo stocks drop in morning on profit taking, Beirut blast
• Disney reports significant quarterly loss due to COVID-19 pandemic
• TikTok fights plagiarism by Facebook, U.S. bullying
• Global enterprises show confidence in China's economic growth

'Mulan' is heading to Disney Plus on September 4th for $30

Disney (DIS) announced on Tuesday that the remake of the 1998 animated classic will be heading to Disney+, the company's new streaming service, for an additional fee of $29.99. The film will be available on September 4. Full Story

• Disney's long-awaited "Mulan" to debut online rather than in theaters
• 'Mulan' is heading to Disney Plus on September 4th for $30
• War epic film "The Eight Hundred" to hit Chinese theaters
• 23rd Shanghai International Film Festival concludes
• China to turn sci-fi novel into live-action drama

• Ellen DeGeneres may leave talk show
• First "Harry Potter" movie to return to China in 3D in August
• ‘Tenet’ approved for theatrical release in China
• Netflix sets record for most Emmy nominations of all time
• Hollywood veteran David Rubin re-elected Academy president

Beijing edge defending champions Guangdong to tie series in CBA semifinals

The Beijing Ducks overcame the Guangdong Southern Tigers 90-86 in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) semifinals here on Thursday to tie the best-of-three series 1-1. Full Story

• Two-time European 800m champion Krol banned for doping
• Beijing edge defending champions Guangdong to tie series in CBA semifinals
• Top seed Zhang Zhizhen edged out in Chinese Tennis Association Tour quarters
• Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Wang eyes her fifth national Games
• Defending Champion Nadal to skip US Open over COVID-19 concerns while Djokovic leads men's field

• Madrid Open cancelled until 2021 because of COVID-19
• Guangdong edges Beijing in overtime for 1-0 in CBA semifinals
• Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas confirms retirement
• Top seed Wang Qiang powers into third round at CTA Tour
• 2020-21 Serie A season to kick off on September 19

Six COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including 3 from China, now in phase-3 trials: WHO

The three Chinese candidates are from Sinovac, Wuhan Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm and Beijing Institute of Biological Products/Sinopharm, said Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, at a virtual briefing. Full Story

• Over 1,000-yr-old tombstone found in north China
• Six COVID-19 vaccine candidates, including 3 from China, now in phase-3 trials: WHO
• S. Korea reports 43 more COVID-19 cases, 14,499 in total
• Chinese education authority warns about college admission frauds
• College major choices turning more interest-driven among Chinese youth

• Thousand-year-old tomb discovered in China's Jilin
• Terracotta Warriors see more visitors during summer vacation
• Full moon seen in Chinese cities
• WHO advance team to China concludes their mission
• There might never be a "silver bullet" for COVID-19: WHO chief