SEOUL -- South Korean stocks ended nearly 2.6 percent lower Thursday as foreign and institutional investors sold shares due to Wall Street losses overnight.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dived 60.54 points, or 2.59 percent, to settle at 2,272.70. Trading volume stood at 705.9 million shares worth 12.3 trillion won (10.5 billion U.S. dollars). (S. Korea-Stocks-Down)

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SYDNEY -- Australia's largest city Sydney will undergo a hospitality facelift to aid with its recovery from COVID-19, with officials slashing restrictions on outdoor dining and 24-hour entertainment.

City officials revealed Thursday they would partner with the state government to "cut red tape" and make it easier for businesses to utilize unclaimed spaces such as laneways and footpaths to create outdoor dining precincts. (Australia-Economy-COVID-19)

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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The Brazilian agribusiness, one of the mainstays of the country's economy, grew 5.26 percent in the first half (H1) of 2020 from a year earlier, the National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) said on Wednesday.

The increase in agribusiness was driven by bumper crops and an exchange rate that favored exports, according to a CNA report. (Brazil-Agribusiness-Up)

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WASHINGTON -- The United States on Wednesday imposed new restriction measures against Cuba, an effort to further deny Havana sources of revenue.

The new measures will prohibit U.S. citizens from "lodging at certain properties in Cuba, importing Cuban-origin alcohol and tobacco products, attending or organizing professional meetings or conferences in Cuba, and participating in and organizing certain public performances, clinics, workshops, competitions, and exhibitions in Cuba," the Treasury Department said in a statement. (US-Cuba-Sanctions)