China in ban on US politicians over policy criticisms

China: Four prominent US figures have been banned from entering the country.

US senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, Representative Chris Smith and Ambassador for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback have been frozen out over their criticism of the ruling Communist Party’s policies toward minority groups and people of faith.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said actions by the US had “seriously damaged China-us relations” and China was determined to uphold its national sovereignty against what it sees as interference in its internal affairs.

“China will respond further according to the development of the situation,” Ms Hua said.

There was no indication any of the four had plans to travel to China.

The travel bans appear to be direct retaliation for the US imposition of sanctions on four Chinese officials, including Chen Quanguo, who heads the northwestern region of Xinjiang, where more than one million members of Muslim minority groups have been incarcerated in what China terms de-radicalisation and retraining centres.

Critics have likened the camps to prisons to which inmates are sentenced with little due process and where they are compelled to denounce their religion, language and culture and pledge allegiance to the Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.

Reporters have also found allegations that women in Xinjiang’s predominantly native Uighur ethnic group were forced to use birth control or undergo involuntary sterilisations.

Pakistan: Authorities are banning open-air livestock markets in cities for the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

However, people will be allowed to buy and sell sacrificial animals at the designated 700 markets, which will be set up on the outskirts of cities across the country. These markets will only remain open from dawn to dusk.

The move came as Pakistan reported 69 more Covid-19 deaths, taking total fatalities to 5,266.

Pakistan now has 251,625 confirmed cases.

Eid-al Adha will be celebrated in Pakistan on July 31, subject to the sighting of the moon.

During the three-day holiday, Muslims across the world slaughter livestock and distribute part of the meat to the poor.

America: The grandson of Elvis Presley has died at the age of 27.

Presley’s representative Roger Widynowski said in a statement that Lisa Marie Presley was “heartbroken” after learning about the death of her son Benjamin Keough.

TMZ reported Mr Keough died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday in Calabasas, California.

“She is completely heartbroken, inconsolable and beyond devastated but trying to stay strong for her 11-year-old twins and her oldest daughter Riley,” Mr Widynowski said. “She adored that boy. He was the love of her life.”

Lisa Marie Presley had Keough and actress Riley Keough, 31, with her former husband Danny Keough. She also had twins from another marriage.

Nancy Sinatra tweeted her condolences to Lisa Marie Presley, writing, “I have known you since before your mama gave birth to you, never dreaming you would have pain like this in your life.

“I’m so very sorry.”