Informing, engaging & connecting the people of the world. JUNE 16, 2020

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China must take charge of “serious” cases in Hong Kong that breach national security, a senior Chinese official said this week, as Beijing prepares to impose new national security laws in the city.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On June 16, 1965, Bob Dylan records “Like a Rolling Stone,” which cements his controversial move from folk singer to rock and roll star and launches him to global fame. The song was considered revolutionary at the time and marked a major milestone in the development of rock music. It is No. 1 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

North Korea has followed through on its threat to demolish the de facto inter-Korean embassy just north of the border, in Pyongyang’s latest move to ratchet up tensions with Seoul.

Top diplomats from the United States and China are planning a closed-door meeting Wednesday in Honolulu between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Politburo Member Yang Jiechi. The U.S. is expected to renew its call for China to join three-way arms control talks with Russia and the U.S. A diplomatic source told VOA that China requested the meeting.

Sasha Masakowski remembers being 6 years old, seated at the piano next to her father, the renowned jazz guitarist, Steve Masakowski. More than two decades later, Sasha, now 33, is an accomplished musician in her own right.

VIDEO: Cameroon is one of the African countries worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and has been struggling against misinformation and fake news on the virus.  Cameroon’s digital first responders have taken to social media to counteract the misinformation.