In a significant political development, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi has given a green signal to the Congress-Left Front alliance for the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal scheduled for 2021. Gandhi's approval is significant as it came after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently called for "unity" (among political parties) to contest against the BJP in Bengal.

Hong Kong police fired volleys of tear gas to break up anti-government protests in a gritty industrial suburb on Saturday after activists threw petrol bombs and bricks, as China freed a British consulate worker whose detention had fueled tensions. The government said in a statement the protesters "posed a serious threat to the safety of everyone" at the scene.

China on Saturday angrily hit out at the latest US tariff hikes on its goods, saying a "bullying" Washington would eventually "eat its own bitter fruit". European leaders have also warned US President Donald Trump of the dangers of trade skirmishes with China and Europe, which look set to dominate the G7 summit due to begin in France.