Monday Briefing: Hong Kong's pro-democracy Apple Daily to shut within days

The Reuters Daily Briefing Monday, June 21, 2021 by Linda Noakes Hello Here's what you need to know. The U.S. extends travel restrictions at land borders, bitcoin tumbles 10%, and political upheaval in Sweden Today's biggest stories People participate in 'Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga', June 20, 2021. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly U.S. The fundraising arm of the Republican Party raised less money in May than its Democratic counterpart but spent more, shelling out millions on efforts to win back Congress, as well as $175,900 at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort. U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least July 21, the U.S. Homeland Security Department said. Severe thunderstorms tore through the Chicago area after the National Weather Service said a "confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado" had touched down in a western suburb of the city. The driver of a pickup truck that hit two pedestrians at the start of a gay pride parade in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was a 77-year-old participant in the event, police said. A supporter holds a copy of the Apple Daily newspaper during a court hearing outside West Magistrates’ Courts in Hong Kong, June 19, 2021. REUTERS/Lam Yik WORLD Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily will be forced to shut "in a matter of days" after authorities froze the company's assets under a national security law, an adviser to jailed owner Jimmy Lai told Reuters. Here's a timeline of the rise and fall of Apple Daily and media magnate Lai. Olympics organizers capped the number of spectators at 10,000 for each venue of the 2020 Tokyo Games, days after experts warned that holding the event without fans was the least risky option during the pandemic. Ethiopians are voting in national and regional elections that the prime minister has billed as proof of his commitment to democracy after decades of repressive rule in Africa’s second-most populous nation. Sweden's parliament ousted Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in a no-confidence vote, giving the Social Democrat leader a week to resign and hand the speaker the job of finding a new government, or call BUSINESS Bitcoin tumbled almost 10% as recent volatility in the cryptocurrency market showed no signs of dampening down, with market players citing jitters over China's expanding crackdown on bitcoin mining in thin liquidity for the losses. Billionaire investor William Ackman’s Pershing Square Tontine Holdings signed a deal to buy 10% of Universal Music Group, Taylor Swift’s label, for about $4 billion. Goldman Sachs has launched its transaction bank in Britain, expanding the business after launching in the United States last year as it looks for steadier sources of revenue beyond its investment bank. Amazon and Apple are the world's most valuable brands but Chinese brands are rising up the leaders list and are more valuable than Europe's top brands, according to a global ranking by Kantar’s BrandZ. Quote of the day "We acknowledge that gender identity in sport is a highly sensitive and complex issue requiring a balance between human rights and fairness on the field of play" Kereyn Smith New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO New Zealand weightlifter Hubbard to become first transgender athlete to compete at Games Video of the day Asylum seeker celebrates family reunion in the U.S. There was one word that rolled off migrant Andy Molina’s tongue as he spoke about plans to reunite with his wife and son after two years of separation: “happy.” And finally… Fish once labeled a 'living fossil' surprises again A new study shows coelacanths boast a lifespan about five times longer than previously believed - roughly a century - and that females carry their young for five years, the longest-known gestation period of any animal. More from Reuters COVID-19 Investigations Breakingviews Legal News Thanks for spending part of your day with us. Share your thoughts You are receiving this email because you signed up for newsletters from Reuters. No longer want to hear from us? Unsubscribe from The Reuters Daily Briefing. Terms, conditions, and privacy statement © 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036