Mass protests in Hong Kong, which began last Sunday and continued through the week, have convinced the territory's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to suspend a controversial bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China. The protests turned violent, with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowds, prompting Lam to put a hold on the legislation, reportedly with the backing of Beijing. She did say, however, that she would not withdraw the bill. The demonstrators took to the streets initially out of concern that the proposed bill threatens Hong Kong's rule of law. A new protest was expected on Sunday and organizers have reportedly maintained that it will go on as planned, as they continue to call for a complete withdrawal of the bill.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday affirmed Tehran will no longer comply with certain aspects of the 2015 nuclear deal if other signatories do not soon start showing "positive signals." Tehran announced in May it would start enriching uranium again unless other world powers ignored U.S. sanctions within 60 days. The European signatories have said they want to save the nuclear pact, but several European companies have complied with Washington's sanctions, after facing financial pressure from the U.S. "Obviously Iran cannot stick to this agreement unilaterally," Rouhani said at a meeting with Russian, Chinese, and other Asian leaders in Tajikistan. Rouhani did not mention the attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, which happened earlier this week.

One of the largest wildlife preserves on the African continent has marked a year without a single elephant found killed by poachers. The Niassa preserve is situated in a remote region in northern Mozambique, and while thousands of animals have reportedly been slaughtered in the region in recent years, the introduction of a rapid intervention police force and more assertive patrolling and response by air has apparently quelled the damage, according to the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society. Experts have called the drop in elephant poaching an extraordinary development, but it reportedly could still take years to rebuild the elephant population in Niassa to its former levels after aggressive poaching slashed initial numbers from around 12,000 to 3,600 in 2016.

A shooting occurred inside a Costco store in Corona, California, on Friday evening, police said. One person was killed and three others injured, including the alleged gunman. A man is in custody after firing his weapon inside the store, a Corona police officer confirmed, but the alleged shooter's name has yet to be released. The shooting reportedly followed an argument inside the store, though the relationships between the victims and the alleged shooter remain unclear. It is not believed to be a domestic dispute and police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime. The alleged gunman and the injured victims were taken to hospitals; the extent of their injuries is unknown.

Japan defeated Scotland 2-1 in the Women's World Cup on Friday. Italy trounced Jamaica 5-0 in the second game of the day, taking the top spot in the group over highly-ranked Australia. In the day's final contest, England blanked Argentina, 1-0. The tournament continued on Saturday with the Netherlands defeating Cameroon, 3-1, and Canada securing a 2-0 victory over New Zealand. Both teams remain unbeaten so far. The U.S., which remains the tournament favorite after defeating Thailand 13-0, will next take the pitch on Sunday to battle Chile, which lost their opener to Sweden. France, Germany and England are also top contenders to take the crown from the U.S., the defending champions.