July 1, Thursday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. China’s Communist Party has wrapped up its centennial that included a highly choreographed spectacle designed to highlight the party’s role in the country’s progress. President Xi Jinping gave a keynote speech on Thursday to talk about the party’s strategy for further prosperity and securing its presence in the world.
2. The United States and Taiwan have resumed trade and investment talks after a five-year hiatus. Senior trade officials from both sides held an online meeting of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council on Wednesday.
3. The Pacific island nation of Samoa says its weightlifting team will not take part in the Tokyo Olympics set to start this month, due to coronavirus concerns. But it says other athletes of the country will attend. Eleven Samoan athletes have qualified to represent the country in six sports at the games.