June 28, Monday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. Rescue work continues at the site of the partial collapse of a condominium in the southern U.S. state of Florida. Nine people have been confirmed dead, and more than 150 others are unaccounted for. Rescue dogs and small cameras are being used to search for survivors. But the work has been hindered by occasional fires and smoke.
2. Wednesday will mark one year since China enacted a national security law for Hong Kong. The Chinese government has tightened strictures on freedom of speech and political activity, transforming a region once known for its free-wheeling attitude. The security law targets what Beijing defines as secessionism, subversion, acts of terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. Hong Kong police say 114 people have been arrested on suspicion of violating the law.
3. South Africa has imposed new restrictions on people’s activities to stem a third wave of coronavirus infections caused by the highly transmissible Delta variant. President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a speech to the public on Sunday that the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in India, is rapidly displacing the previously dominant Beta variant that was first identified in South Africa.