CANBERRA -- Australian Gross Domestic Product has fallen 7.0 percent in the second quarter, the largest quarterly fall on record, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on Wednesday.

The figure follows a fall of 0.3 percent in the first quarter this year.

It means that Australia has fallen into recession for the first time in nearly 30 years, according to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (Australia-Economic Recession)

- - - -

MONTEVIDEO -- The Uruguayan government signed on Tuesday an agreement with Brazil on jointly monitoring COVID-19 in the border cities of Artigas and Rio Branco in Uruguay, and Quarai and Jaguarao in Brazil.

Uruguayan Minister of Public Health Daniel Salinas called the agreement "a new way to advance in the fight against COVID-19, with the collaboration of our (Brazilian) brothers."

With the agreement, these border cities will be approached as "health units." Criteria on diagnostic methods and preventive measures, such as the use of face masks, social distancing, and shop capacity, will be unified to control possible outbreaks. (Uruguay-Brazil-Border Agreement)

- - - -

BERLIN -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed here on Tuesday that no country should interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Wang made the remarks at a press conference with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, when answering questions related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The minister cited concrete numbers and facts to show why the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is justified, as well as the positive outcome of the de-radicalization measures in Xinjiang, adding that these policy measures are widely supported by the Chinese people. (Germany-China-FM Visit)

- - - -

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Progressive Democratic Senator Ed Markey, who advocates combating climate change and passing the Green New Deal, defeated House Representative Joe Kennedy III in the Massachusetts Senate primary on Tuesday, showing the progressive strength that is reshaping the Democratic Party.

"Tonight is more than just a celebration of a movement. It is a real reaffirmation of the need to have a movement, a progressive movement of young people demanding radical change, demanding justice," Markey, 74, told supporters in his hometown of Malden. (US-Democratic Primary) Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)