*)US Congress passes bill to sanction China over Hong Kong

The US Congress has approved a bill chiding China over its crackdown in Hong Kong as the city’s residents hold protests against a “national security” law.

Once the bill is enacted, the US will sanction groups that undermine Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status, including police for crackdowns on protesters.

China's cabinet has already appointed Zheng Yanxiong [Chan Yen Sion] as the director of the mainland's new national security agency in Hong Kong.

*)US Covid-19 numbers reach record highs, employment improves

The US has recorded more than 53,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours, setting a new record for the third day in a row.

Florida is a key focus for public health experts who are worried about a surge in southern and western US states.

US unemployment is at one of its worst points since the Great Depression despite dropping to 11.1 percent in June from 13.3 percent in May.

*)UK court sides with Guaido in Venezuela gold dispute

A British judge has refused to give Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro control of nearly $2 billion in gold sitting in a Bank of England vault.

Britain does not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s president, instead acknowledging opposition politician Juan Guaido as the cash-strapped country’s leader.

Maduro has demanded the gold to help his financially troubled nation fight the coronavirus pandemic.

*)Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime pal of Epstein, facing jail for sex crimes

Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend and associate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested.

She faces charges of luring underage girls so that Epstein, who died in jail last year, could sexually abuse them.

The arrest is the latest twist in the mystery of Epstein, who went from teaching high school maths to a high-flying lifestyle with powerful connections.

And finally…

*)Social media to face EU broadcasting rules on harmful content

Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other social media will be subject to EU broadcasting rules on hate speech and harmful content.

The non-binding guidelines by the EU Commission apply to social platforms where audiovisual content is seen as an essential but not principal part of their business.

EU countries, which have until September 19 to implement the rules, will have the final say on the list of companies.