The ban on the weekend protest — which had been called to denounce last week’s mob violence and the anemic police action against the attackers — will likely deepen distrust of the Hong Kong police, which has been widely criticized for using brutal force during previous demonstrations.

Chinese military presence: The “one country, two systems” model that governs Hong Kong’s relationship with the mainland allows for China’s military garrison in the semiautonomous city to help with public order if the local government requests it. So far, that seems unlikely.

Boris Johnson pushes a hard line

Britain’s new prime minister culled about half of the cabinet he inherited from his predecessor, Theresa May, and installed staunch Brexit supporters in key positions.

In a speech in Parliament on Thursday, less than 100 days before the nation is expected to crash out of the E.U., Mr. Johnson outlined tough new Brexit demands, including the “abolition” of a so-called “backstop” plan that would have allowed goods to flow freely across the Irish border.

The cabinet reshuffle and Mr. Johnson’s overblown oratory in Parliament appeared intended to send one message to the E.U. — he is serious about leaving without a deal if necessary.

Reminder: The backstop was a major sticking point in Mrs. May’s withdrawal plan. It would have kept Britain within the European customs union — anathema to hard-line Brexit supporters — in order to avoid erecting a physical border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.