jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Las Vegas police officer shot in head - report

The officer was shot by the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino .
An officer-involved shooting also took place at the @ @ @ @ @ on a suspect who fired at the courthouse .
The suspect was hit several times @

The officer was shot by the Circus Circus Hotel & Casino.
An officer-involved shooting also took place at the Federal Courthouse when officers fired on a suspect who fired at the courthouse. The suspect was hit several times.
A Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officer was shot in the head, as two shootings were reported in the city on Tuesday, according to local news source 8NewsNow.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Opposition leader endorses Finance Ministry's plan for businesses

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Opposition leader Yair Lapid announced on Tuesday morning that he would support the Finance Ministry's plan for incentives to small businesses."When it comes to fighting the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus, we will not take political considerations into account," Lapid said.The Knesset plenum voted overnight to expand the government's economic aid plan by NIS 14 billion to cope with the corona crisis, passing the expenditure into law in its final readings.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Hong Kong leader calls out "double standards" on national security

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam accused foreign governments of `` double standards '' in their reaction to Beijing 's plans @ @ @ @ @ on the city , pointing to anti-police brutality protests in the United States .
In @ @ @ @ @ Washington said it will remove Hong Kong 's preferential treatment in US law in response @ @ @ @ @ Lam warned countries threatening actions against the city they may hurt their own interests .
@ @ @ @ @ about their own national security , but on our national security ... they look through @ @ @ @ @ told a weekly news conference .
`` In the US we see how the riots @ @ @ @ @ local governments , compared to the stance they adopted when almost the same riots happened @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Having lost patience with Hong Kong after large-scale and often-violent pro-democracy protests last @ @ @ @ @ into its biggest crisis in decades , Beijing authorities last month advanced plans to introduce @ @ @ @ @ , terrorism and foreign interference .

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam accused foreign governments of "double standards" in their reaction to Beijing's plans to impose national security laws on the city, pointing to anti-police brutality protests in the United States.
In her first public appearance after Washington said it will remove Hong Kong's preferential treatment in US law in response to Beijing's proposal, Lam warned countries threatening actions against the city they may hurt their own interests.
"They are very concerned about their own national security, but on our national security...they look through tinted glasses," Lam told a weekly news conference.
"In the US we see how the riots were being handled by the local governments, compared to the stance they adopted when almost the same riots happened in Hong Kong last year."
Having lost patience with Hong Kong after large-scale and often-violent pro-democracy protests last year plunged the Chinese-ruled city into its biggest crisis in decades, Beijing authorities last month advanced plans to introduce laws tackling secession, subversion, terrorism and foreign interference.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Elkin demands two separate directors for his two ministries

`` There 's a standard .
These are two different ministries and there ca n't be one director-general , '' @ @ @ @ @ `` I want to bring someone professional for water and some professional for education .
@ @ @ @ @ environmental protection and minister for Jerusalem affairs - no one considered there being one director-general @ @ @ @ @ have an office , aid , secretary , branch manager , spokesperson and driver .

"There's a standard. These are two different ministries and there can't be one director-general," said Elkin to ynet. "I want to bring someone professional for water and some professional for education. When I was minister for environmental protection and minister for Jerusalem affairs - no one considered there being one director-general."
Each director-general would have an office, aid, secretary, branch manager, spokesperson and driver.
Higher Education Minister and Water Resources Minister Ze'ev Elkin demanded two separate director-generals for his two ministries, according to ynet.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Venezuela's Maduro says he will visit Iran soon, sign agreements

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday said he would visit Iran shortly to sign cooperation agreements in energy and other sectors, after Iran sent five fuel tankers to the gasoline-starved South American country."I am obliged to go to personally thank the people," Maduro said in a state television address, without providing a date for the visit.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Mexico reports highest daily increase in new coronavirus cases

Mexican health authorities reported on Tuesday an additional 3,891 cases of the novel coronavirus, a new record of daily cases, and 470 more deaths.This brings the total number of known cases to 97,326 and 10,637 deaths. Health authorities have previously said the real number is higher.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Brazil sets another record for daily coronavirus deaths

The nation registered 28,936 additional cases of the novel coronavirus , the ministry said , and 1,262 deaths .
There @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases in Brazil and 31,199 coronavirus deaths .
The fresh record comes as some @ @ @ @ @ President Jair Bolsonaro , continue to belittle the virus , warning that the economic fallout @ @ @ @ @ worse than the virus itself .
`` We lament all deaths , but it 's @ @ @ @ @ Bolsonaro said in front of the presidential residence in Brasilia earlier on Tuesday .
Even @ @ @ @ @ leaders had previously instituted lockdown orders , authorities have been rapidly loosening restrictions in recent @ @ @ @ @ of daily new cases continuing to grow in most regions .

Brazil registered another record number of novel coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours, the health ministry said on Tuesday evening, as the pandemic in Latin America's largest country shows no signs of slowing down.
The nation registered 28,936 additional cases of the novel coronavirus, the ministry said, and 1,262 deaths. There are now 555,383 total confirmed coronavirus cases in Brazil and 31,199 coronavirus deaths.
The fresh record comes as some Brazilian leaders, including right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, continue to belittle the virus, warning that the economic fallout from quarantine measures will be worse than the virus itself.
"We lament all deaths, but it's everyone's destiny," Bolsonaro said in front of the presidential residence in Brasilia earlier on Tuesday.
Even in states and cities where leaders had previously instituted lockdown orders, authorities have been rapidly loosening restrictions in recent days, despite the number of daily new cases continuing to grow in most regions.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Israelis buy more junk food, despite gov't labeling

Most Israelis, 62%, support labeling foods as high-fat or high-sugar with a red sticker, but only 33% actually buy less of them, Kan News reported on Tuesday evening.Sales of high-fat cheeses actually went up by 38% and chocolates by 24%, all in the pre-coronavirus outbreak weeks.Energy bar sales, which are also marked as high-sugar, went down by 22%. The report suggested that the sales may have decreased because those purchasing energy bars usually do so because they claim to be healthy, but the red sticker on them saying otherwise deterred consumers.Sales of "red stickered" foods did go down in the first few weeks after the stickers were introduced, the public likely got used to them and thus buying patterns returned to normal or increased in most cases.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Netanyahu, Ashkenazi agree on a new ambassador to Egypt

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi agreed on Tuesday that the next ambassador to Egypt will be Amira Oron, N12 reported.Israel has not had an ambassador in Egypt since 2018.Oron is fluent in Arabic, and has already held a variety of positions in the embassy, as well as heading the Egyptian division in Foreign Ministry's Arab world media section.In addition, Oron will be the first woman to serve in that capacity.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Edelstein recommends closing high schools, middle schools in Jerusalem

Middle and high schools will not be shuttered, even in Jerusalem, at least for another day, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, despite a recommendation by newly appointed Health Minister Yuli Edelstein to close these schools in Jerusalem.As of Tuesday evening, some 146 students and 30 teachers in the holy city were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chaired a discussion regarding the education system, at which the data and the steps that have been were reviewed,” a statement by the PMO read, noting that the prime minister requested additional information and that discussions would resume on Wednesday. “According to the data that will be presented, Prime Minister Netanyahu will make a decision regarding the education system.”In total, some 225 students and faculty members are sick and 4,925 are in home-quarantine, the Education Ministry said. Another 5,010 are at home because 36 schools were forced to close.On Tuesday, new infections were found in schools in Beersheba, Rahat, Ashdod, Ma’aleh Adumim and Holon. However, the majority of cases remain from one school: Gymnasia Rehavia in Jerusalem Professionals in the Health Ministry on Tuesday recommended that all middle and high schools across the country close, but Education Minister Yoav Gallant refused, accusing the Health Ministry of “sowing unnecessary panic.”He said that Health Ministry data has not changed dramatically and there is no justification for closing schools, a move that he said would be “reckless toward students, teachers and parents. The fact that there is one sick person and because of him we enter isolation is not dramatic, it is a preventative effort.”As of Tuesday night, some 72 new patients have been diagnosed with the novel virus – down from 98 new patients on Monday. There are currently 2,055 active cases of the virus, an increase of 29 people. Of the sick, 29 are ventilated. In total, 290 people have died.However, Israelis are still faced with the possibility of returning to restrictions or even lockdown.If there are more than 100 patients who are diagnosed with coronavirus per day who are unrelated, then Israel will again be faced with coronavirus restrictions, Health Ministry deputy director-general Itamar Grotto said Tuesday at the Knesset Coronavirus Committee meeting.“If there are 100 patients per day unrelated to the same outbreak, then we will have to step back in terms of the restrictions,” he said. “At the moment, the majority of cases are focused on one outbreak.”He also said the number of people screened for the virus is on the rise, after Edelstein earlier this week unveiled a new testing policy that allows all Israelis – with or without symptoms – to get tested.“Only yesterday, 8,383 coronavirus tests were performed,” he said. “We are in a position to have 15,000 tests a day. And now there are two more laboratories that we have reached an agreement with, and we can reach up to 40,000 tests a day.”At press time, the Health Ministry reported that 6,664 tests had been taken on Tuesday.Additionally, Keren Shechter Azulay, vice president and general-director of the southern district at Maccabi Healthcare Services, said that the health fund is preparing for a second wave.“We already launched a rapid test yesterday at dedicated laboratories we set up in Beersheba, where we examined the students and teachers who went into isolation to verify which of the isolates did carry the virus to prevent further infection,” she said.But Yamina head Naftali Bennett, who has long advocated for increased testing, expressed dissatisfaction with the Health Ministry’s efforts, saying that within days or weeks the prime minister would get up at prime time and announce to the public, “We were wrong, the epidemic broke out again, and we have no choice but to re-close.” He said that if that happens, small businesses and self-employed workers will be demolished.“It will be a death blow for them,” he said.Finance Minister Israel Katz and Culture Minister Chili Tropper announced on Tuesday evening that they had reached an agreement to assist the struggling culture sector with an assistance package valued at NIS 200 million.The package includes access to government-secured loans, increased budgets for professional cultural institutions and assistance to complete cinematic productions impacted by Health Ministry restrictions.Eytan Halon contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Seventy-two new coronavirus patients in Israel, 290 dead


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Netanyahu to hold coronavirus status evaluation to discuss schools

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a coronavirus status evaluation meeting on Tuesday evening to decide how the educational system should respond to increasing reports of coronavirus infections in schools.Education Minster Yoav Galant tweeted that “there is no justification to close down middle schools and high schools” based on the data the Health Ministry released so far.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--MK Katz promotes bill to create national memorial day for Iraqi Jews

Likud MK Ofir Katz submitted to Knesset on Tuesday a bill requesting the formal creation of a national memorial day for the Jews of Iraq who were brutally slain and abused in 1946 in a series of events known as Farhud.The bill requests that the first two days of June will be the memorial date honoring the 179 Jewish victims and that schools address the issue by learning about it.Katz, who is of Iraqi descent, said his grandmother is a survivor of the Farhud and said the event is not as well-known as it should be among Israelis, which is what this day will address.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Gantz visits Northern Command for the first time since taking office

Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited the Northern Command on Tuesday for the first time since taking on the new role.He met IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and other high-ranking army generals to discuss the challenges Israel faces on its border with Lebanon and Iran's presence in Syria.Gantz and Minister Michael Biton, who is the Civic Relations Minister within the Defense Ministry, met community leaders in northern Israel and discussed civilian-related issues, among them proper shelters and structure fortifications.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Britain announces 160 million pounds in humanitarian aid to Yemen

Britain announced on Tuesday 160 million pounds ($201 million) in humanitarian aid to Yemen, James Cleverly, the Foreign Office minister for the Middle East and North Africa, told a pledging conference to help the war-torn country.Saudi Arabia hosted a virtual UN conference to help raise some $2.4 billion to counter funding shortages for aid operations in Yemen.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--US House speaker Pelosi: legislation soon addressing racial profiling

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday that decisions would be made "in just a short period of time" on legislation to address racial profiling and actions by police, amid days of mass protests in the United States.She said lawmakers were discussing different proposals, with some wanting a "comprehensive" bill.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Joint Knesset committee recommends extending national emergency to 2021

The joint Knesset committee, which includes the Foreign Relations, the Defense and the Constitutional, Law, and Courts committees, recommended on Tuesday to extend the national state of emergency until June 3, 2021.If the state of emergency is extended, the Knesset will be able to oversee specific measures if Israel faces a second wave of coronavirus.Human rights activists and opposition members voiced their concerns that some of these measures, such as allowing police to enter homes without a warrant, refusing inmates' requests to meet their lawyers and allowing the Shin Bet pin-point the locations of Israelis using their mobile phone data, are extreme and pose a risk to liberty.Derekh Eretz MK Zvi Hauser said that he intends to create a sub-committee to monitor the possible cancellation of emergency warrants and laws to ensure the emergency situation, and its renewal, won't be extended annually.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Germany announces $140 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen

Germany announced on Tuesday 125 million euros ($139.8 million)in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, Niels Annen, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, told a pledging conference for the war-ravaged country.Saudi Arabia hosted a virtual UN conference to help raise some $2.4 billion to counter funding shortages for aid operations in Yemen.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--US ambassador to Germany Grenell officially steps down

`` Ambassador Grenell resigned from his post and the State Department on June 1 , '' said the spokesman .
@ @ @ @ @ of mission at the embassy , will take over as Charge d'Affaires until a new @ @ @ @ @ spokesman said any questions on Grenell 's successor should be directed to the White House @ @ @ @ @ as ambassador , Grenell has not been shy to voice criticism of German policies on @ @ @ @ @ the NordStream 2 gas pipeline from Russia .
Germany 's dpa news agency reported last @ @ @ @ @ down soon after the U.S. Senate confirmed Representative John Ratcliffe , also a political ally @ @ @ @ @ permanent director of national intelligence ( DNI ) .

US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, a close political ally of President Donald Trump, has resigned after little more than two years in the job, an embassy spokesman said on Tuesday.
"Ambassador Grenell resigned from his post and the State Department on June 1," said the spokesman.
Robin Quinville, deputy chief of mission at the embassy, will take over as Charge d'Affaires until a new ambassador is confirmed but the spokesman said any questions on Grenell's successor should be directed to the White House.
In his two years as ambassador, Grenell has not been shy to voice criticism of German policies on NATO and its involvement in the NordStream 2 gas pipeline from Russia.
Germany's dpa news agency reported last month that Grenell would step down soon after the U.S. Senate confirmed Representative John Ratcliffe, also a political ally of Trump, as the permanent director of national intelligence (DNI).
In February, Trump had named 53-year old Grenell as acting DNI.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--UN rights boss: US protests point to long-standing racial inequalities

Protests in US cities triggered by the killing of George Floyd underscore "police violence" against people of color, and historic inequalities in access to health, education and jobs, the top United Nations human rights official said on Tuesday.The COVID-19 pandemic was having a "devastating impact" on people of African descent and ethnic minorities in Brazil, Britain, France and the United States, Michelle Bachelet added in a statement calling for improved access to testing and healthcare for racial and ethnic minorities."This virus is exposing endemic inequalities that have too long been ignored. In the United States, protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd are highlighting not only police violence against people of color, but also inequalities in health, education, employment and endemic racial discrimination," Bachelet said.At least five US police officers were hit by gunfire during violent protests over the May 25 death of Floyd in police custody, police and media said on Monday, hours after President Donald Trump said he would deploy the military if unrest did not stop.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Coronavirus: 2,035 Israelis infected, two more dead


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Baby regains consciousness after falling in a pool

A baby girl who fell into a swimming pool on Saturday regained consciousness on Tuesday after being placed on a ventilator and being sedated, according to a Samaon Assuta Ashdod University Hospital press release.The medical staff decided to gradually reduce the sedatives given to the infant and she woke up.She is reportedly responding to her surroundings and can identify family members.The press release included a plea to parents to be mindful of their young children during the summer when swimming.


jerusalempost--2020-06-02--Nurse at Soroka Medical Center infected with coronavirus

A nurse at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba was infected with coronavirus, according to a statement the hospital released on Tuesday.“An epidemiological investigation into the case did not result in other staff members taken into quarantine," the hospital wrote in the statement.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Coronavirus: UK death toll surpasses 50,000 – tally

New data from Scotland brought the toll to 50,059 , a dire milestone for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus lockdown .
The Reuters tally mainly comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death @ @ @ @ @ and Northern Ireland up to May 22 , and up to May 31 in Scotland @ @ @ @ @ toll published by the government , the death certificate figures include suspected cases .

The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death toll surpassed 50,000 on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally of official data sources that highlighted the country's place as one of the worst hit in the world.
New data from Scotland brought the toll to 50,059, a dire milestone for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he tries to ease the stringent coronavirus lockdown.
The Reuters tally mainly comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to May 22, and up to May 31 in Scotland.
Unlike the daily death toll published by the government, the death certificate figures include suspected cases.
The Reuters tally also incorporates deaths that took place in English hospitals after May 23, and in Wales and Northern Ireland.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Netanyahu meets with Lapid to discuss security issues

The military secretary to the prime minister Brig .
Gen. Avi Blot was present at the meeting as well .

The military secretary to the prime minister Brig. Gen. Avi Blot was present at the meeting as well.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday to discuss security issues at the prime minister's office.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Delay in cutting Palestinian terror pay 'not due to attitude change' - PM

Amid reports that the government has failed to deduct wages paid to terrorists from Palestinian tax revenue, the Prime Minister's Office stated on Wednesday that the delay in implementing the law was not due to a "change in attitude" and that the government would act according to the law.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--IDF, Israel Police discuss theft incidents in southern Israel

The two emphasized the continuation of joint operations in order to deal with the issue and prevent further theft .
@ @ @ @ @ out the operational behavior of the IDF officers in the complicated incident , during which @ @ @ @ @ theft before the issue was transferred to Israel Police .
The two agreed that increased @ @ @ @ @ place in the area in order to prevent and respond to any further attempts by @ @ @ @ @ On Tuesday , a group of IDF soldiers found themselves surrounded by a gang of @ @ @ @ @ military equipment from a nearby base .
The soldiers stopped and pursued them .
An @ @ @ @ @ the soldiers attempted to catch the thieves , but within minutes were surrounded by a @ @ @ @ @ to reinforce and assist the thieves .
The group surrounded the military jeep with several @ @ @ @ @ one of the soldiers felt physically threatened , he fired a bullet into the air @

The two emphasized the continuation of joint operations in order to deal with the issue and prevent further theft.
The IDF Deputy Commander pointed out the operational behavior of the IDF officers in the complicated incident, during which they tried to prevent the theft before the issue was transferred to Israel Police.
The two agreed that increased operations and activities will take place in the area in order to prevent and respond to any further attempts by suspects in the south.
On Tuesday, a group of IDF soldiers found themselves surrounded by a gang of Bedouins who attempted to steal military equipment from a nearby base. The soldiers stopped and pursued them.
An initial IDF investigation revealed that the soldiers attempted to catch the thieves, but within minutes were surrounded by a group of rioters who came to reinforce and assist the thieves.
The group surrounded the military jeep with several civilian jeeps, and when one of the soldiers felt physically threatened, he fired a bullet into the air.
Alex Winston contributed to this report.
Israel Police Deputy Commissioner Alon Asur and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir discussed recent attempts to steal from IDF bases and training areas in southern Israel on Wednesday after IDF soldiers were surrounded by Bedouins.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Magnitude 4.9 quake hits Iran-Iraq border region

Iranian media said there was no immediate information on casualties or damage from the quake , which felt in Iran @ @ @ @ @

An earthquake of magnitude 4.9 struck the Iran-Iraq border region on Wednesday at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Iranian media said there was no immediate information on casualties or damage from the quake, which felt in Iran's western Ilam province.
The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) assessed its magnitude at 5.0, revised down from an initial 6.3.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Malaysia reports 93 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

Malaysian health authorities reported 93 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, raising the cumulative total to 7,970.The health ministry reported no new deaths, leaving the toll at 115.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Indonesia reports 684 new coronavirus infections, 35 deaths

Indonesia reported 684 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases in the Southeast Asian country to 28,233, said health ministry official Achmad Yurianto.Yurianto announced 35 new deaths related to COVID-19, taking the total to 1,698, while 8,406 people have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Russia's coronavirus case tally passes 430,000

The death toll reached 5,215 after the authorities said they had recorded another 178 deaths from the virus in the @ @ @

Russia reported 8,536 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing its nationwide tally to 432,277, the third highest in the world.
The death toll reached 5,215 after the authorities said they had recorded another 178 deaths from the virus in the past day.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 6.39 million, death toll over 379,400

More than 6.39 million people have been reported infected with the new coronavirus globally and 379,433 have died, a Reuters tally showed.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China last December.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Ofer Shelah elected as head of State Audit Committee

`` We will exercise the legislative powers of the Commission to produce an audit that will contribute to the public @ @ @ @ @ the State Comptroller 's institution has teeth , '' said Shelah .

"We will exercise the legislative powers of the Commission to produce an audit that will contribute to the public, and make sure that the State Comptroller's institution has teeth," said Shelah.
Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah was elected as the head of the State Audit Committee on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Bitan appointed as Aliyah, Absorption, Diaspora Committee chairman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Likud MK David Bitan as chairman of the Aliyah, Absorption, Diaspora Knesset Committee on Wednesday."I Wish to congratulate MK David Bitan for stepping into the role of chairman of the Aliyah, Absorption, Diaspora Knesset Committee," Netanyahu said. "I am confident that Bitan will continue to serve Israel in its most important missions in terms of aliyah, absorption and diaspora."Bitan thanked Netanyahu for the appointment and said "I plan to operate in this role as I did in the past years in the Knesset. I will continue to work in order to icrease aliyah and condemn antisemitism."


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits northern Chile

The quake struck at a depth of 145 km ( 90 miles ) , GFZ added .
The U.S. Geological @ @ @ @ @ epicenter about 62 km southwest of San Pedro de Atacama .

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in the mine-heavy northern Chile early on Wednesday, monitoring groups confirmed, though mining companies told Reuters their operations were not impacted.The quake struck at a depth of 145 km (90 miles), the German Research Center for Geosciences said, and its epicenter was about 62 km southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, close to several large copper mines, including Codelco's Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales.Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, BHP and Antofagasta told Reuters the quake caused no damage or operational problems at their sites.In Chile, a seismic country, mining facilities are built to withstand large earthquakes.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Israel reports 11 new coronavirus patients, numbers reach 2,098

The National Security Council reported on Wednesday morning that there are 11 new coronavirus patients in Israel, bringing the number of total patients to 2,098.The NSC reported that the 11 were found out of 1,390 tests conducted. Number of intubated patients stands on 28.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Thailand reports one new coronavirus case, no deaths

The new case is a 26-year-old Thai man who recently returned from Saudi Arabia , said Panprapa Yongtrakul , a @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus task force .

Thailand on Wednesday reported one new coronavirus infection and no new deaths, bringing the country's total to 3,084 confirmed cases and 58 fatalities since the outbreak started in January.
The new case is a 26-year-old Thai man who recently returned from Saudi Arabia, said Panprapa Yongtrakul, a spokeswoman for the government's coronavirus task force.
There are 2,968 patients who have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Germany says coronavirus infections rise 342 to 182,370

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 342 to 182,370, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.The reported death toll rose by 29 to 8,551, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Beersheba school closes after student infected with coronavirus

A comprehensive school in Beersheba was closed on Wednesday, after a student was confirmed as infected with the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Two high schools in Bat Yam close after students positive for coronavirus

Three students have been tested positive for the coronavirus in two different high schools in Bat Yam, Kan 11 reported.Both high schools will be closed as a result.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Pentagon moves about 1,600 Army troops into the Washington region

The Pentagon has moved about 1,600 U.S. Army troops into the Washington, D.C., region, the Pentagon said on Tuesday, after several nights of violent protests in the city."Active duty elements are postured on military bases in the National Capitol Region but are not in Washington, D.C.," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman said in a statement.He said the troops were on "heightened alert status" but "are not participating in defense support to civil authority operations."


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--China reports only one coronavirus case for June 3

China reported one new coronavirus case and four new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases for June 3 , the health commission said @ @ @ @ @ Health Commission said all five of the cases were imported , involving travelers from overseas @ @ @ @ @ China reported one confirmed case and 4 asymptomatic cases .
China does not count asymptomatic @ @ @ @ @ infected with the coronavirus but do not exhibit symptoms , as confirmed cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ China stands at 83,022 .
The death toll remained unchanged at 4,634 .

China reported one new coronavirus case and four new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases for June 3, the health commission said on Thursday.
The National Health Commission said all five of the cases were imported, involving travelers from overseas. For June 2, China reported one confirmed case and 4 asymptomatic cases.
China does not count asymptomatic patients, those who are infected with the coronavirus but do not exhibit symptoms, as confirmed cases.
The total number of infections in China stands at 83,022. The death toll remained unchanged at 4,634.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Car drives onto sidewalk in Netherlands, injures six

A car drove into an outdoor cafe in the southern Netherlands on Wednesday night , injuring six people , one @ @ @ @ @ said .
One person was admitted to hospital , while five others were treated at @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
The driver was detained .
It was unclear what caused the @ @ @ @ @ sidewalk cafe in the town of Gennep , in the province of Limburg .
The @ @ @ @ @ witnesses , reported that drugs may have been involved .
Police said they were investigating @ @ @ @ @ regional Gelderlander newspaper , citing witnesses , reported that drugs may have been involved .

A car drove into an outdoor cafe in the southern Netherlands on Wednesday night, injuring six people, one of them seriously, police said.
One person was admitted to hospital, while five others were treated at the scene, police said in a statement. The driver was detained.
It was unclear what caused the driver to turn into the sidewalk cafe in the town of Gennep, in the province of Limburg.
Police said they were investigating and provided no further details.
The regional Gelderlander newspaper, citing witnesses, reported that drugs may have been involved.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Minnesota A-G says first-degree murder charge still possible

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison said on Wednesday that if the prosecution gets evidence to support a first-degree murder charge against @ @ @ @ @ Chauvin in the George Floyd case it will be presented to a jury .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ about a possible first-degree murder charge , Ellison said : `` We are continuing to @ @ @ @ @ get evidence to support that , that we can put in front of a jury @ @ @ @ @ .
At this time , we brought forth the maximum ethical charges as we could @ @

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison said on Wednesday that if the prosecution gets evidence to support a first-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the George Floyd case it will be presented to a jury.
Asked in an interview with CNN about a possible first-degree murder charge, Ellison said: "We are continuing to gather evidence and if we get evidence to support that, that we can put in front of a jury, we will present that. At this time, we brought forth the maximum ethical charges as we could."


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Two Sderot elementary schools close amid coronavirus fears

Two elementary schools in the Gaza border city of Sderot have temporarily closed for two days amid fears that the novel COVID-19 is spreading in the school.The Sderot municipality clarified that the two-day closure is a precaution until the results of a coronavirus test comes in.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Teenager lost at sea near HaKshatot Beach in Ashdod

A 14-year-old boy is missing after swimming with friends at HaKshatot Beach in Ashdod on Wednesday, The Jerusalem Post’s sister publication Maariv reported.His three friends told police when their friend didn't emerge from the water.A helicopter and beach police forces are looking for him.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Netanyahu asks the state to pay NIS 600,000 in back taxes for his home

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked that the state pay NIS 600,000 in back taxes for his private home in Caesarea, Channel 13 reported on Wednesday.The Tax Authority requested Netanyahu pay taxes for 2013-2018.In 2018 a law was passed that exempts serving prime ministers from paying taxes.Faced with this demand, Netanyahu allegedly seeks “creative ways” to avoid paying the tax or to have the state pay it on his behalf, the news channel reported.In response to the report, Netanyahu’s office said that no other prime minister was asked to pay such taxes and never was any Israeli leader asked to pay taxes retroactively.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--WHO set to resume hydroxychloroquine trial in battle on COVID-19

The U.N. body had paused its large study of the anti-malarial drug to treat COVID-19 due to fears it increased @ @ @ @ @ in patients .
But Tedros told an online media briefing that WHO experts had advised @ @ @ @ @ including hydroxychloroquine , whose highest-profile backer for its use against the coronavirus has been U.S. @ @ @ @ @ officials said they were especially worried about outbreaks in Latin America and in Haiti , @ @ @ @ @ poorest nations , where infections have been spreading rapidly .

The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to resume its trial of hydroxychloroquine for potential use against the new coronavirus, its head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, after testing was suspended due to health concerns.
The U.N. body had paused its large study of the anti-malarial drug to treat COVID-19 due to fears it increased death rates and irregular heartbeats in patients.
But Tedros told an online media briefing that WHO experts had advised the continuation of all trials including hydroxychloroquine, whose highest-profile backer for its use against the coronavirus has been U.S. President Donald Trump.
WHO officials said they were especially worried about outbreaks in Latin America and in Haiti, one of the world's poorest nations, where infections have been spreading rapidly.
The coronavirus has infected almost 3 million people in the Americas.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Serbia adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism

Serbia has announced it is adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism .
It is an important step @ @ @ @ @ antisemitism at all levels .
pic.twitter.com/Yi17JGRhj7

Serbia adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) tweeted on Wednesday.
Serbia has announced it is adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. It is an important step in implementing the fight against antisemitism at all levels. pic.twitter.com/Yi17JGRhj7 — WJC (@WorldJewishCong) June 3, 2020
The WJC lauded the move, calling it “an important step in implementing the fight against antisemitism on all levels.”Other countries that have adopted the definition include Italy, Cyprus, Canada and the United States, among others.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--NBA aims to restart on July 31 - report

NBA aims to restart on July 31 - report

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has informed the league's Board of Governors that he hopes to restart the season on July 31, the Athletic reported on Friday.The NBA was the first North American sports league to suspend its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic after one of its players tested positive for the new coronavirus in mid-March.When asked by Reuters to comment on the Athletic report, an NBA spokesman said the league had "nothing to confirm at this point."The Athletic said the NBA discussed four competition scenarios, ranging from all 30 teams completing a reduced 72-game regular season to having the top 16 teams go directly to the playoffs.It is unclear where the games would be played or whether spectators would be allowed to attend.Last week the NBA said it was in talks with The Walt Disney Company about restarting its suspended season at Disney World in Florida in late July.The potential plan would see the league hold games at a single site, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, a sprawling athletic complex inside the Orlando resort that has three arenas, hotels and would allow the league to limit outside exposure.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--US defense secretary says doesn't support invoking Insurrection Act

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Wednesday that he does not support invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy active duty forces to quell civil unrest and added that he regretted using the word "battlespace" to describe areas gripped by protest.Esper also said he was unaware that he would be part of President Donald Trump's politically-charged photo opportunity on Monday when law enforcement forcibly cleared a park outside the White House of peaceful protesters so the president could take a picture in front of a church holding a Bible.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Trump: My admin. has done the most for black community since Lincoln

My Admin has done more for the Black Community than any President since Abraham Lincoln .
Passed Opportunity Zones with @ @ @ @ @ for HBCU ’ s , School Choice , passed Criminal Justice Reform , lowest Black @ @ @ @ @ crime rates in history…

US President Donald Trump tweeted on Wednesday that his administration “has done more for the Black Community than any president since Abraham Lincoln.”
My Admin has done more for the Black Community than any President since Abraham Lincoln. Passed Opportunity Zones with @SenatorTimScott, guaranteed funding for HBCU’s, School Choice, passed Criminal Justice Reform, lowest Black unemployment, poverty, and crime rates in history… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2020
Trump went on to name his administration's accomplishments, including passing "Opportunity Zones," securing funding for historically black colleges and universities (UBCU), and passing the Criminal Justice Reform.Trump went on to say that, during his presidency, African Americans enjoy the lowest rates of unemployment, poverty and crime rates “in history.”Riots erupted in several US cities following the release of footage of the death of George Floyd, who died after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. Chauvin was arrested and charged with third degree murder.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Trump: Inviting Russia to G7 is 'common sense'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said it was "common sense" to invite Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Group of Seven, saying it would be much easier to solve various issues if Putin was at the gathering."Many of the things that we talk about are about Putin," Trump told Fox News Radio interview in an interview, adding: "Have him in the room... get things done."


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Magnitude 6.8 earthquake hits northern Chile, copper mines say unaffected

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in the mine-heavy northern Chile early on Wednesday, monitoring groups confirmed, though mining companies told Reuters their operations were not impacted.The quake struck at a depth of 145 km (90 miles), the German Research Center for Geosciences said, and its epicenter was about 62 km southwest of San Pedro de Atacama, close to several large copper mines, including Codelco's Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales.Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, BHP and Antofagasta told Reuters the quake caused no damage or operational problems at their sites.In Chile, a seismic country, mining facilities are built to withstand large earthquakes.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Greek, Cyprus leaders to visit Israel to discuss resuming flights

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to visit Israel on June 16 to discuss the resumption of flights between the two nations. This will be the Greek prime minister's first trip abroad since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, N13 reported on Wednesday.On June 23, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades is expected to visit Israel with a delegation of ministers to discuss tourist relations between the two countries and possible cooperation with Greece and Israel regarding Turkish complaints concerning oil drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.Malta announced Israelis, Danes, Finns and Czechs, will be able to visit it and will not be forced into quarantine starting July 1, Walla reported.


jerusalempost--2020-06-03--Netanyahu briefs opposition leader Lapid

Opposition leader Yair Lapid received his first regular security briefing from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. The opposition leader is entitled by law to receive a security briefing from the prime minister once a month.Netanyahu's military attaché, Col. Avi Blut took part in the briefing which lasted about an hour.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Malaysia reports 277 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

The rise in new cases pushed Malaysia 's cumulative total past the 8,000 mark to 8,247 .

Malaysian health authorities on Thursday reported 277 new coronavirus cases after infections were detected in an immigration detention center.
The rise in new cases pushed Malaysia's cumulative total past the 8,000 mark to 8,247.
The health ministry reported no new deaths, keeping total fatalities at 115.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Philippines reports 10 new coronavirus deaths, 634 more cases

The Philippine health ministry on Thursday confirmed 10 more deaths from the coronavirus and 634 new infections.In a bulletin, it said total deaths have increased to 984 while confirmed cases have reached 20,382, of which 4,248 have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Earthquake of magnitude 6.5 hits north of Halmahera, Indonesia

The quake was at a depth of 105 km , GFZ said .

An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck north of Halmahera in Indonesia on Thursday, the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said.
The quake was at a depth of 105 km, GFZ said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Indonesia reports 585 new coronavirus infections, 23 deaths

There were 23 new deaths , with coronavirus fatalities now at 1,721 since the outbreak started , said Achmad Yurianto @ @ @ @ @ .

Indonesia reported 585 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, taking the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 28,818.
There were 23 new deaths, with coronavirus fatalities now at 1,721 since the outbreak started, said Achmad Yurianto, a health ministry official.
There are 8,892 people who have recovered and more than 251,000 have been tested.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Hong Kong confirms 5 new coronavirus cases

The city has 1,100 confirmed cases of the disease , including one probable infection .

Hong Kong confirmed five new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, all imported, while Cable TV reported some residents of a housing estate were evacuated after a cluster of cases was reported.
The city has 1,100 confirmed cases of the disease, including one probable infection.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Cargo train car topples over near Herzliya

A cargo train car toppled over on Thursday morning near Herzliya, it is yet to be known if there are any related injuries or deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--India, Australia seal deal to use each other's military bases

The mutual logistic support agreement was signed during a virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian @ @ @ @

India and Australia sealed a deal on Thursday to get access to each other's military bases, the Indian foreign ministry said - a pact that would clear the way for more military exchanges and exercises in the Indo-Pacific.
The mutual logistic support agreement was signed during a virtual summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.
India has a similar pact with the United States which is seen as part of a broader security cooperation to balance China's growing economic and military weight in the region.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Russia's coronavirus case tally edges past 440,000

Russia reported 8,831 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, taking the total number of infections across the country to 441,108.The country's coronavirus crisis response center said 169 people had died from the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 5,384.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Thailand reports 17 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

The new cases were Thai nationals in quarantine who recently returned from the Middle East , including 13 from Kuwait @ @ @ @ @ , a spokesman for the government 's COVID-19 Administration Centre .

Thailand reported 17 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and no new deaths, taking the total number of infections to 3,101, of which 58 were fatalities.
The new cases were Thai nationals in quarantine who recently returned from the Middle East, including 13 from Kuwait alone, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's COVID-19 Administration Centre.
There are 2,968 patients who have recovered since the outbreak started.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--A body was found in a burning car in southern Israel

The remnants of a body were found inside an old burning car on Thursday morning.Israeli police who arrived at the scene have begun investigating the event.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Hong Kong legislature starts voting on controversial China bill

Hong Kong 's Legislative Council started voting on a controversial national anthem bill on Thursday that would make disrespecting China @ @ @ @ @ offense .
The voting comes just as people in Hong Kong are set to commemorate @ @ @ @ @ Chinese troops in and around Tiananmen Square by lighting candles across the city .

Hong Kong's Legislative Council started voting on a controversial national anthem bill on Thursday that would make disrespecting China's national anthem a criminal offense.
The voting comes just as people in Hong Kong are set to commemorate the bloody 1989 crackdown by Chinese troops in and around Tiananmen Square by lighting candles across the city.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Olympics-Japan to explore 'simplified' Games amid coronavirus

Japan will consider various options such as having fewer spectators and mandatory coronavirus testing for a `` simplified '' Olympic @ @ @ @ @ the outright cancellation of the event , the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday .
John @ @ @ @ @ the International Olympic Committee 's ( IOC ) inspectorate for Tokyo , has said a @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus threatened the Games and organizers had to start planning for what could @ @ @ @ @ '' Olympics if there were no signs of COVID-19 being eradicated .
The Yomiuri , @ @ @ @ @ sources , said making Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) tests mandatory for all spectators @ @ @ @ @ and staff -- and limiting movement in and out of the athletes village were among @ @ @ @ @ with the IOC .

Japan will consider various options such as having fewer spectators and mandatory coronavirus testing for a "simplified" Olympic Games next year to avoid the outright cancellation of the event, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday.
John Coates, the head of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) inspectorate for Tokyo, has said a lack of a defense against the new coronavirus threatened the Games and organizers had to start planning for what could be a "very different" Olympics if there were no signs of COVID-19 being eradicated.
The Yomiuri, citing government and organizing committee sources, said making Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests mandatory for all spectators -- in addition to athletes and staff -- and limiting movement in and out of the athletes village were among the options Japan would discuss with the IOC.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Israel Parade in New York made virtual, postponed by a week

The Israel Parade in New York, an annual pro-Israel parade, has been made virtual amid the coronavirus pandemic and has been pushed back by a week to June 21.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--North Korea says US in no position to criticize China

North Korea on Thursday said the United States is in no position to criticize China over Hong Kong or human rights when Washington threatens to `` unleash dogs '' to suppress anti-racism protests at home .
In an article carried by one of North Korea 's main state-run newspapers , an unnamed spokesman for the international affairs department of the ruling Workers ' Party of Korea ( WPK ) criticized recent comments by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo .
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday , Pompeo said recent actions by the Chinese Communist Party suggest it is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Western democracies , Western values '' and `` puts Americans at risk . ''
Pompeo 's remarks on Hong Kong , Taiwan , human rights and trade disputes were `` nonsense '' that slandered the leadership of the Communist Party of China ( CPC ) , the WPK spokesman said .
`` Pompeo , who has been deeply engrossed in espionage and plot-breeding against other countries , has become too ignorant to discern where the sun rises and where it sets , '' the spokesman said .
Such statements by American leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a declining United States , he said , citing the ongoing protests against police brutality .

North Korea on Thursday said the United States is in no position to criticize China over Hong Kong or human rights when Washington threatens to "unleash dogs" to suppress anti-racism protests at home.
In an article carried by one of North Korea's main state-run newspapers, an unnamed spokesman for the international affairs department of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) criticized recent comments by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Pompeo said recent actions by the Chinese Communist Party suggest it is "intent upon the destruction of Western ideas, Western democracies, Western values" and "puts Americans at risk."
Pompeo's remarks on Hong Kong, Taiwan, human rights and trade disputes were "nonsense" that slandered the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the WPK spokesman said.
"Pompeo, who has been deeply engrossed in espionage and plot-breeding against other countries, has become too ignorant to discern where the sun rises and where it sets," the spokesman said.
Such statements by American leaders are a sign of their concerns about a declining United States, he said, citing the ongoing protests against police brutality.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Magnitude 5.5 earthquake rocks Southern California

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday in the California desert about 150 miles ( 241 km ) northeast of @ @ @ @ @ Geological Survey said .
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the @ @ @ @ @ a sparsely populated area near the Mojave Desert community of Searles Valley .
A series @ @ @ @ @ aftershocks struck that area near the small town of Ridgecrest on July 4 and 5 @ @ @ @ @ quakes are not uncommon in seismically active California .

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday in the California desert about 150 miles (241 km) northeast of Los Angles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the quake, which hit in a sparsely populated area near the Mojave Desert community of Searles Valley.
A series of strong of earthquakes and aftershocks struck that area near the small town of Ridgecrest on July 4 and 5 of last year. Such quakes are not uncommon in seismically active California.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Iranian ship sinks off Iraqi coast - report

According to MarineTraffic , the ship 's automatic identification system ( AIS ) had the ship 's location near the @ @ @ @ @ evening , with it 's planned destination listed as Kuwait after having departed from Khorramshahr @ @ @ @ @ in Iran .

According to MarineTraffic, the ship's automatic identification system (AIS) had the ship's location near the Khor Abdullah channel on Thursday evening, with it's planned destination listed as Kuwait after having departed from Khorramshahr, an inland port city in Iran.
This is a developing story.
The Iranian ship Behbahan sank in the Khor Abdullah Shipping Channel between Iraq and Kuwait on Thursday night, according to Al-Hadath. Four crew members were rescued. The status of any others on board is still unclear as the Iraqi Coast Guard continues to search for the other people who were on board.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Tesla's Elon Musk calls for breakup of Amazon in tweet

Telsa Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk on Thursday called for Amazon.com Inc to be broken up , after an author complained on social media about being unable to self-publish a book via the world 's largest online retailer .
`` This is insane @ JeffBezos , '' Musk tweeted at Amazon 's chief .
Both men are billionaires and oversee competing space exploration companies on top of their duties at Telsa and Amazon .
`` Time to break up Amazon .
Monopolies are wrong ! ''
Musk added in a second tweet .
Musk does not have legal authority to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no comment on Musk 's call for its dissolution but said the book in question , by author Alex Berenson , had been blocked in error and was now available for sale via its Kindle e-reading service .
The decision to greenlight the book 's sale was not due to Musk , Amazon said .
The Tesla chief , who earlier this month said he would take a break from Twitter , has a history of being outspoken on the social media platform .
A tweet in 2018 that he had secured funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit against Musk by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , which the parties later settled .
Musk has lashed out about shelter-at-home restrictions to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus as well .
According to a photo of a message Amazon sent Berenson , posted on Twitter , the retailer had taken action because the 22-page book did not comply with guidelines that Amazon did not specify , adding , `` we are referring customers to official sources for health information about the virus . ''
Berenson 's book is titled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lockdowns : Part 1 : Introduction and Death Counts and Estimates . ''
Berenson did not respond to an email requesting comment .
After Amazon approved the book 's sale , he tweeted , `` thanks to @ elonmusk and everyone who helped . ''

Telsa Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk on Thursday called for Amazon.com Inc to be broken up, after an author complained on social media about being unable to self-publish a book via the world's largest online retailer.
"This is insane @JeffBezos," Musk tweeted at Amazon's chief. Both men are billionaires and oversee competing space exploration companies on top of their duties at Telsa and Amazon. "Time to break up Amazon. Monopolies are wrong!" Musk added in a second tweet.
Musk does not have legal authority to break up Amazon.
The retailer had no comment on Musk's call for its dissolution but said the book in question, by author Alex Berenson, had been blocked in error and was now available for sale via its Kindle e-reading service. The decision to greenlight the book's sale was not due to Musk, Amazon said.
The Tesla chief, who earlier this month said he would take a break from Twitter, has a history of being outspoken on the social media platform. A tweet in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private led to a lawsuit against Musk by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which the parties later settled. Musk has lashed out about shelter-at-home restrictions to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus as well.
According to a photo of a message Amazon sent Berenson, posted on Twitter, the retailer had taken action because the 22-page book did not comply with guidelines that Amazon did not specify, adding, "we are referring customers to official sources for health information about the virus." Berenson's book is titled, "Unreported Truths about COVID-19 and Lockdowns: Part 1: Introduction and Death Counts and Estimates."


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Swiss confirm role in US-Iran prisoner swap, offer to help more in future

White , a US Navy veteran detained in Iran since 2018 , was freed on Thursday and was on his way back home , his family and President Donald Trump said , while the Iranian-American physician will be allowed to visit Iran , his lawyer said .
In a statement , the Swiss foreign ministry said : `` Switzerland confirms its role in the humanitarian gesture that took place today and led to the release of Mr. Michael Ray White and Mr. Majid Taheri .
... Our country stands ready for further facilitation , in accordance with its long-lasting tradition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jabbari , Iran 's ambassador to Switzerland , told French-language Swiss broadcaster RTS on Thursday night : `` Concerning Mr. White , he had some coronavirus symptoms , so following a request from the Swiss embassy in Tehran , he was handed over to them and taken care of .
As soon as we were sure the test for the coronavirus was negative , he was freed and left Iran today ( Thursday ) on a Swiss plane . ''
He added : `` In the case of Mr. White , the Swiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Without an active and positive role of the ( Swiss ) embassy , it would never have been achieved . ''
Switzerland has represented US diplomatic interests in Iran since Washington and Tehran cut ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution .

White, a US Navy veteran detained in Iran since 2018, was freed on Thursday and was on his way back home, his family and President Donald Trump said, while the Iranian-American physician will be allowed to visit Iran, his lawyer said. In a statement, the Swiss foreign ministry said: "Switzerland confirms its role in the humanitarian gesture that took place today and led to the release of Mr. Michael Ray White and Mr. Majid Taheri. ... Our country stands ready for further facilitation, in accordance with its long-lasting tradition of good offices."
Mohammad Reza Jabbari, Iran's ambassador to Switzerland, told French-language Swiss broadcaster RTS on Thursday night: "Concerning Mr. White, he had some coronavirus symptoms, so following a request from the Swiss embassy in Tehran, he was handed over to them and taken care of. As soon as we were sure the test for the coronavirus was negative, he was freed and left Iran today (Thursday) on a Swiss plane."
He added: "In the case of Mr. White, the Swiss embassy in Tehran was very active. Without an active and positive role of the (Swiss) embassy, it would never have been achieved."
Switzerland has represented US diplomatic interests in Iran since Washington and Tehran cut ties shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Switzerland confirmed its role on Thursday in the "humanitarian gesture" that led to the release of two detainees, American Michael White and Iranian Majid Taheri, saying it stood ready for "further facilitation" as a neutral intermediary.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Hydroxychloroquine study retracted from medical journal due to concerns

The anti-malarial drug has been controversial in part due to support from U.S. President Donald Trump , as well as implications of the study published in British medical journal the Lancet last month .
The three authors said Surgisphere , the company that provided the data , would not transfer the full dataset for an independent review and that they `` can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources . ''
The fourth author of the study , Dr. Sapan Desai , the CEO of Surgisphere , declined to comment on the retraction .
The observational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 looked at 96,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients , some treated with the decades-old malaria drug .
It claimed that those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems than patients who were not given the medicines .
Several clinical trials were put on hold after the study was published .
The World Health Organization , which paused hydroxychloroquine trials after The Lancet study was released , said on Wednesday it was ready to resume trials .
Many scientists voiced concern about the study .
Nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lancet last week calling the article 's conclusions into question and asking to make public the peer review comments that preceded publication .
`` I did not do enough to ensure that the data source was appropriate for this use , '' the study 's lead author , Harvard Medical School Professor Mandeep Mehra , said in a statement .
`` For that , and for all the disruptions – both directly and indirectly – I am truly sorry . ''
Surgisphere was not immediately available for comment .
The Lancet in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many outstanding questions about Surgisphere and the data that were allegedly included in this study . ''

The anti-malarial drug has been controversial in part due to support from U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as implications of the study published in British medical journal the Lancet last month.
The three authors said Surgisphere, the company that provided the data, would not transfer the full dataset for an independent review and that they "can no longer vouch for the veracity of the primary data sources."
The fourth author of the study, Dr. Sapan Desai, the CEO of Surgisphere, declined to comment on the retraction.
The observational study published in the Lancet on May 22 looked at 96,000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, some treated with the decades-old malaria drug. It claimed that those treated with hydroxychloroquine or the related chloroquine had higher risk of death and heart rhythm problems than patients who were not given the medicines.
Several clinical trials were put on hold after the study was published. The World Health Organization, which paused hydroxychloroquine trials after The Lancet study was released, said on Wednesday it was ready to resume trials.
Many scientists voiced concern about the study. Nearly 150 doctors signed an open letter to the Lancet last week calling the article's conclusions into question and asking to make public the peer review comments that preceded publication.
"I did not do enough to ensure that the data source was appropriate for this use," the study's lead author, Harvard Medical School Professor Mandeep Mehra, said in a statement. "For that, and for all the disruptions – both directly and indirectly – I am truly sorry."
Surgisphere was not immediately available for comment.
The Lancet in a statement said, "there are many outstanding questions about Surgisphere and the data that were allegedly included in this study."
Three of the authors of an influential article that found hydroxychloroquine increased the risk of death in COVID-19 patients retracted the study on Thursday, citing concerns about the quality of the data behind it.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Grand Synagogue of Paris to reopen after coronavirus closure - report

The Grand Synagogue of Paris, which can seat up to 4,000 people, is undergoing intense cleaning ahead of opening its doors following the French government's approval of resuming religious services after closing houses of worship due to coronavirus, Channel 13 reported on Thursday.“We cleaned the place up as if it is Passover,” joked the Grand Synagogue’s Rabbi, Rabbi Moshe Sabag.Prayers will be held on Monday and Thursday mornings as well as Friday and Shabbat services.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Ayman Odeh: Police only ban protests against annexation, occupation

Joint List leader Ayman Odeh tweeted on Thursday that “it’s not surprising that the only protest police seek to cancel is an Arab [and] Jewish protest against annexation and occupation and in favor of peace and democracy.”He vowed the protest will take place regardless.Meretz MK Tamar Zandberg said the police “have no authority” to cancel the protest on Saturday evening as the right to protest is a “basic right, requiring no approval.”“The annexation is a disaster,” she said. “It is impossible to prevent us from leaving our homes to shout it out.”Israel palns to annex the Jordan Valley and 30% of the West Bank on July 1 as part of the Trump administration's Deal of the Century.Police objected to the protest, which was to be held on Rabin Square, citing fears of coronavirus infection and suggested it be moved to Yarkon Park.The anti-annexation coalition, which includes over 30 groups, said it will "not yield and will defend our right to protest."


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Coronavirus cases surge: 118 more sick people in 24 hours

The number of coronavirus cases in Israel is exponentially rising as the government pushes to keep schools open.The Health Ministry reported 118 people tested positive for coronavirus over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of patients since the start of the pandemic to 17,495. At last count, there were 2,191 active cases, an increase of 88 cases from the day before, and 291 people had died.Most of the newly infected people likely are schoolchildren and their parents. The number of serious and intubated patients is still on the decline. Thursday night, there were 30 people in serious condition, including 23 on ventilators.For perspective, between Sunday and Thursday last week (May 24-28), the average number of new cases daily was 29. This week, between Sunday and Thursday, the average number of new cases was 80.In one day, 6,865 students and teachers entered isolation, according to the Education Ministry, bringing the total number to 13,691. By Friday morning, the ministry was reporting 13,702.Moreover, some 304 students and teachers have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, an increase of 60 since Wednesday.The cases are spread across the country, with the greatest number still in Jerusalem (53 in the last three days), according to the Health Ministry. Other places with high infection rates include Tel Aviv (25 in the last three days), Beersheba (17), Bnei Brak (15) and Ashdod (14).Some 92 schools and preschools are closed, more than double the day before. Among them are schools in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Givatayim, Jaffa, Petah Tivka, Sderot and Tel Aviv. They include elementary schools, high schools and religious and secular institutions.The spike in infections has led to an increase in the number of people asking to be tested, which has put a strain on the health funds, whose labs handle the screenings.Thursday afternoon, Hadassah-University Medical Center in Jerusalem announced it has received appeals from the health funds for help. Since the outbreak at Gymnasia Rehavia over Shavuot, Jerusalem’s labs have been performing hundreds of tests per day, in addition to the hundreds done by Magen David Adom, Hadassah said.In a letter to the Health Ministry, Kupat Holim Meuhedet said if the ministry did not stop flooding its labs with tests, there would be criticism as there was in the first wave of severe problems in the laboratories, N12 reported.“Please inform the Health Ministry’s management that the labs are in a state of crisis, and there is no way that we can maintain this number of tests – and this time it will not be because we are lacking reagents or kits, but because we just don’t have enough manpower,” the letter read.The Knesset Coronavirus Committee will meet next week to discuss solutions for the laboratories.However, because the number of tests being taken is much higher than it was last week – the Health Ministry reported testing 12,929 people on Wednesday – the infection rate appears to be dropping to less than 1%.Late Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country’s schools would remain open, siding with Education Minister Yoav Gallant, whose policy has been to shut any school with infection but to keep the others operating.Health Minister Yuli Edelstein had been recommending to close middle and high schools in Jerusalem only. His professional staff is advocating to close them countrywide.On Thursday, the Rishon Lezion Municipality decided to take matters into its own hands and rolled out a new model that will be effective on Sunday: Schools will combine frontal and distance learning, and no classroom will have more than 20 students at a time. Students will use time at school to focus on recreation, social and explorative learning.“We see what is happening across the country, and it is important for us to maintain the health of the students on the one hand and continue the routine of life on the other,” Rishon Lezion Mayor Raz Kinstlich told N12.The model was developed in collaboration with the Education Ministry, he said, adding that he hopes it will prove to be appropriate for parents, teachers and students.The fight between the Teachers’ Union and the Education Ministry continued on Thursday. The ministry sent a letter to local municipalities, calling on them to take part in ensuring there is a framework for younger students during the summer break.“This summer, there will be a breadth of programming available for children in grades one to four and preschoolers,” Gallant wrote, noting that he expects these offerings to run through sometime in August.As of now, it appears that in-school summer programs will run from July 14 to August 8 and will include after-school programming as well.The Secondary School Teachers’ Association and the Elementary School Teachers’ Union have not finalized an agreement to keep schools open for nine extra days until July 13.Single yeshiva and seminary students will no longer be able to enter the country, according to a letter disseminated Wednesday by Interior Minister Arye Deri. Students who are married and learning full-time as their job can come to Israel if they received permission on or before May 21. However, no new permits will be granted, he said.Meanwhile, the Health and Transportation ministries announced that intercity trains will begin fully operating beginning on Monday, June 8.The trains would help relieve pressure on the bus system and allow easier movement for the public, Transportation Minister Miri Regev said in a statement.“We will follow and make sure that the public abides by the [Health Ministry’s] rules, keeping in mind social distancing, wearing masks and preventing the entry of passengers with fevers into the station complex,” she said.Finance Minister Amir Peretz on Thursday said his office was working on expanding measures that would enable more businesses to open while still adhering to the Health Ministry’s Purple Ribbon standard, which is up for renewal.Among his recommendations are no longer requiring stores to record the name and registration numbers of its customers, allowing employees to eat in their office cafeteria and shifting the regulation on allowing only 50 people to operate with two meters between them to something more accessible.“We will maintain our health and livelihoods,” Peretz said.According to the latest statistics from the Israeli Employment Service, more than 110,000 people are looking for work.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--US CDC reports 1,842,101 coronavirus cases

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) on Thursday reported 1,842,101 cases of the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ cases from its previous count , and said that the number of deaths had risen @ @ @ @ @ The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ , as of 4 p.m .
ET on June 3 versus its previous report released @ @ @ @ @ figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states .

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported 1,842,101 cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 14,676 cases from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 827 to 107,029.
The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. ET on June 3 versus its previous report released on Wednesday.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Olmert: Not a dime of the public’s money was spent on my home

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Former prime minister Ehud Olmert slammed Likud MK Miki Zohar who asked a reporter on Thursday “when was the last time someone spoke about who paid for Olmert’s private home when he was in office?”“Not a dime of the public’s money was spent on my Tel Aviv apartment when I was in office,” Olmert told News 13.Zohar's remark was in connection to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to avoid paying back taxes on his private home.The Tax Authority requested Netanyahu pay NIS 600,000 for due taxes for 2013-2018.In 2018 a law was passed that exempts serving prime ministers from paying taxes.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Facebook places state media labels on Russian, Chinese broadcasters

SAN FRANCISCO - Facebook Inc. will start labeling Russian , Chinese and other state-controlled media organizations , and later this @ @ @ @ @ such outlets that target US users , it said on Thursday .
Russia 's Sputnik @ @ @ @ @ and China 's Xinhua News are on the list of organizations that will receive the @ @ @ @ @ social network .
US news outlets will not be labeled , as the company has @ @ @ @ @ organizations have editorial independence , said Nathaniel Gleicher , Facebook 's head of cybersecurity policy @ @ @ @ @ Facebook , which has acknowledged its failure to stop Russian use of its platforms to @ @ @ @ @ presidential election , announced broad plans last year to create a state media label .

SAN FRANCISCO - Facebook Inc. will start labeling Russian, Chinese and other state-controlled media organizations, and later this summer block any ads from such outlets that target US users, it said on Thursday.
Russia's Sputnik, Iran's Press TV and China's Xinhua News are on the list of organizations that will receive the label from world's biggest social network.
US news outlets will not be labeled, as the company has determined that even US government-run organizations have editorial independence, said Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, in an interview.
Facebook, which has acknowledged its failure to stop Russian use of its platforms to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election, announced broad plans last year to create a state media label.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--GAVI raises $567 mln of $2 bln goal to buy COVID-19 vaccines for poor

LONDON - The GAVI vaccines alliance said on Thursday it had raised $ 567 million towards an initial goal of @ @ @ @ @ donors for an Advanced Market Commitment to buy future COVID-19 vaccines for poor countries .
@ @ @ @ @ enough COVID-19 vaccine doses - when the shots have been developed - for poor countries @ @ @ @ @ those at high risk , it said , as well as creating a `` buffer @ @ @ @ @ when needed .

LONDON - The GAVI vaccines alliance said on Thursday it had raised $567 million towards an initial goal of $2 billion from international donors for an Advanced Market Commitment to buy future COVID-19 vaccines for poor countries.
The deal would help secure enough COVID-19 vaccine doses - when the shots have been developed - for poor countries to immunize healthcare workers and those at high risk, it said, as well as creating a "buffer of doses" for use when needed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Education Ministry wants summer classes, Teachers Union objects

The Teachers Union is threatening its members will not teach classes for even one day after the school year is out, but the Education Ministry claims classes will be held this summer well until August, N12 reported on Thursday.Education Minister Yoav Galant said that kindergartens and elementary school classes for grades one to four will be held until August.The Health Ministry called on local municipalities to support the Education Ministry in creating an outline for summer schools.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Serbia adopts IHRA definition of antisemitism

Serbia has announced it is adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism .
It is an important step @ @ @ @ @ antisemitism at all levels .
pic.twitter.com/Yi17JGRhj7

Serbia adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) tweeted on Wednesday.
Serbia has announced it is adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. It is an important step in implementing the fight against antisemitism at all levels. pic.twitter.com/Yi17JGRhj7 — WJC (@WorldJewishCong) June 3, 2020
The WJC lauded the move, calling it “an important step in implementing the fight against antisemitism on all levels.”Other countries that have adopted the definition include Italy, Cyprus, Canada and the United States, among others.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Police warn against Fake News: No coronavirus raids planned

Police warned the public on Thursday against an official-looking ad circulating on social media which claimed police were warning the public that they will conduct week-long raids in public gatherings places such as beaches and shopping malls to enforce coronavirus preventive measures.“This is fake news that did not originate with police spokesperson unit,” the Police Spokesperson's Office said. "One should pay attention and consider only [valid] information and reports by the spokesperson officially [sends] on behalf of Israel’s police.”


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Netanyahu invited to Moscow for Victory Day march

The Russian Embassy in Israel presented Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with an invitation on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to attend the June 24 Victory Day march in Moscow marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and the end of World War II.Netanyahu’s office has yet to respond to the invitation.The march was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Hong Kong police fire pepper spray to disperse Tiananmen protesters

Scuffles broke out briefly in the working-class Mong Kok area where hundreds had gathered and some demonstrators tried to set up roadblocks with metal barriers , prompting officers to use spray to disperse them , according to Reuters witnesses .
It was the first time there had been unrest during the annual Tiananmen vigil in Hong Kong , which police had prohibited this year citing the coronavirus crisis .
Several protesters were arrested , police said .
Earlier , a few thousand people joined a peaceful main rally in Victoria Park , many wearing masks and chanting slogans such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our time '' and `` Fight for freedom , stand with Hong Kong . ''
`` We are just remembering those who died on June 4 , the students who were killed .
What have we done wrong ?
For 30 years we have come here peacefully and reasonably , once it 's over it 's 'sayonara ' ( goodbye ) , '' said Kitty , a 70-year-old housewife .
The anniversary has struck an especially sensitive nerve in the former British-ruled city this year after China 's move last month to impose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bill outlawing disrespect of China 's national anthem .
It also comes as Chinese media and some Beijing officials voice support for protests in the United States against police brutality .
In Beijing , security around Tiananmen Square , a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the city , appeared to be tightened , with more police visible than on ordinary days .
In Hong Kong , which just reported its first locally transmitted coronavirus cases in weeks , police had said a mass gathering would undermine public health .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candles and stand for a minute 's silence .
Seven Catholic churches opened their doors .
Some people held photos of the 1989 events , including a famous one of a man standing in front of a tank convoy .
Millionaire publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai and Democratic Party founder Martin Lee , who were both arrested in April over protests last year , left a church service together .
`` We are afraid this will be the last time we can have a ceremony but Hong Kongers will always remember what happened on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 24 , in Mong Kok , with a white battery-illuminated umbrella that read `` Never Forget June 4 . ''
The European Union and United States both expressed solidarity with the Hong Kong demonstrators ' desire to mark the Tiananmen anniversary .
Democratically-ruled and Beijing-claimed Taiwan , where more than 500 people gathered in Liberty Square , asked China to apologize , which the mainland called `` nonsense . ''
`` In China , every year has only 364 days ; one day is forgotten , '' Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that in every corner of the earth there wo n't be any days that are disappeared again .
And I wish Hong Kong well . ''
China has never provided a full account of the 1989 violence .
The death toll given by officials days later was about 300 , most of them soldiers , but rights groups and witnesses say thousands of people may have perished .
There was no mention of the anniversary in Chinese state media .
But Hu Xijin , editor of the Global Times , a nationalistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's People 's Daily , tweeted a screenshot of the U.S. statement with his own commentary .
`` The Tiananmen incident gave Chinese society a political vaccine shot , which has enabled us to be immune to any color revolution .
31 years later , riots emerged and spread in the U.S .
They only think of exporting it , but forget to prepare vaccine for themselves . ''
Hu did not elaborate .
The term color revolution is often used to describe peaceful uprisings in former Soviet states but has also been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Hong Kong , officials have repeatedly said a ban on groups larger than eight is a public health measure with no political motivation .
Earlier on Thursday , some students in Hong Kong followed the annual tradition of repainting a Tiananmen memorial message on a university campus bridge : `` Souls of martyrs shall forever linger despite the brutal massacre .
Spark of democracy shall forever glow for the demise of evil . ''

HONG KONG - Police pepper-sprayed some Hong Kong protesters on Thursday who defied a ban to stage candlelight rallies in memory of China's bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy crackdown, accusing Beijing of stifling their freedoms too.
Scuffles broke out briefly in the working-class Mong Kok area where hundreds had gathered and some demonstrators tried to set up roadblocks with metal barriers, prompting officers to use spray to disperse them, according to Reuters witnesses.
It was the first time there had been unrest during the annual Tiananmen vigil in Hong Kong, which police had prohibited this year citing the coronavirus crisis.
Several protesters were arrested, police said.
Earlier, a few thousand people joined a peaceful main rally in Victoria Park, many wearing masks and chanting slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time" and "Fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong."
"We are just remembering those who died on June 4, the students who were killed. What have we done wrong? For 30 years we have come here peacefully and reasonably, once it's over it's 'sayonara' (goodbye)," said Kitty, a 70-year-old housewife.
The anniversary has struck an especially sensitive nerve in the former British-ruled city this year after China's move last month to impose national security legislation and the passage of a bill outlawing disrespect of China's national anthem.
It also comes as Chinese media and some Beijing officials voice support for protests in the United States against police brutality.
In Beijing, security around Tiananmen Square, a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the city, appeared to be tightened, with more police visible than on ordinary days.
June 4 commemorations are banned in mainland China.
In Hong Kong, which just reported its first locally transmitted coronavirus cases in weeks, police had said a mass gathering would undermine public health.
But many took to the streets to light candles and stand for a minute's silence. Seven Catholic churches opened their doors. Some people held photos of the 1989 events, including a famous one of a man standing in front of a tank convoy.
Millionaire publishing tycoon Jimmy Lai and Democratic Party founder Martin Lee, who were both arrested in April over protests last year, left a church service together.
"We are afraid this will be the last time we can have a ceremony but Hong Kongers will always remember what happened on June 4," said Brenda Hui, 24, in Mong Kok, with a white battery-illuminated umbrella that read "Never Forget June 4."
WESTERN SOLIDARITY
The European Union and United States both expressed solidarity with the Hong Kong demonstrators' desire to mark the Tiananmen anniversary.
Democratically-ruled and Beijing-claimed Taiwan, where more than 500 people gathered in Liberty Square, asked China to apologize, which the mainland called "nonsense."
"In China, every year has only 364 days; one day is forgotten," Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on her Facebook page. "I hope that in every corner of the earth there won't be any days that are disappeared again. And I wish Hong Kong well."
China has never provided a full account of the 1989 violence. The death toll given by officials days later was about 300, most of them soldiers, but rights groups and witnesses say thousands of people may have perished.
There was no mention of the anniversary in Chinese state media. But Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, a nationalistic tabloid published by the ruling Communist Party's People's Daily, tweeted a screenshot of the U.S. statement with his own commentary.
"The Tiananmen incident gave Chinese society a political vaccine shot, which has enabled us to be immune to any color revolution. 31 years later, riots emerged and spread in the U.S. They only think of exporting it, but forget to prepare vaccine for themselves."
Hu did not elaborate. The term color revolution is often used to describe peaceful uprisings in former Soviet states but has also been used to describe other popular movements.
In Hong Kong, officials have repeatedly said a ban on groups larger than eight is a public health measure with no political motivation.
Earlier on Thursday, some students in Hong Kong followed the annual tradition of repainting a Tiananmen memorial message on a university campus bridge: "Souls of martyrs shall forever linger despite the brutal massacre. Spark of democracy shall forever glow for the demise of evil."


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Russia sends second batch of fighter jets to Syria

MOSCOW - Russia flew a batch of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets to Syria, Moscow's embassy in Damascus said, with Syrian pilots already using the planes to conduct missions within the country's airspace.President Vladimir Putin last week ordered Russia's foreign and defense ministries to hold talks with its close ally, Syria, to obtain more facilities and maritime access there, in addition to the two military bases it has already.Russia's Embassy in Syria said on Twitter late on Wednesday that the latest batch of planes was for the Syrian military."Syrian Arab Army received the second batch of advanced MiG-29 fighter jets from #Russia - in the framework of military & technical cooperation between our countries. Syrian(s) already begin to carry out missions on those planes," it said.It shared a link to a May 30 report by the Syrian Arab News Agency, which cited a Syrian military source as saying the fighters were more effective that their previous generation and would be used in Syrian airspace from June 1.The United States in late May accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft via Syria to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for the eastern-based forces of Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).It said aircraft had arrived in Libya after being repainted to conceal their Russian origin in Syria, stating that the aircraft would likely provide close air support and offensive fire.Reuters sent a request for comment to the Russian defense ministry last week. It did not respond.Libya's civil war has drawn in regional and global powers with Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt backing the LNA and Turkey supporting the internationally recognized government of national accord.The LNA was driven out of Libya's capital, Tripoli, on Thursday, after a year-long assault.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--UK PM Johnson met business minister Sharma, shortly before his diagnosis

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a 45-minute socially distanced meeting with business minister Alok Sharma on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ was taken ill and tested for the coronavirus , Johnson 's spokesman said on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ meeting in Johnson 's Number 10 Downing Street offices was also attended by finance minister @ @ @ @ @ Johnson would follow medical advice if Sharma 's COVID-19 test result came back positive .
@ @ @ @ @ place in Number 10 - I believe it was in the Cabinet Room - was @ @ @ @ @ they were all two meters apart , '' he said .
`` If the Secretary @ @ @ @ @ were to test positive for coronavirus then he will go through the test and trace @ @ @ @ @ which they give to him . ''
Johnson has already contracted and recovered from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ certainty that would give him immunity .

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a 45-minute socially distanced meeting with business minister Alok Sharma on Tuesday, a day before Sharma was taken ill and tested for the coronavirus, Johnson's spokesman said on Thursday.
The spokesman said the meeting in Johnson's Number 10 Downing Street offices was also attended by finance minister Rishi Sunak, and that Johnson would follow medical advice if Sharma's COVID-19 test result came back positive.
"The meeting which took place in Number 10 - I believe it was in the Cabinet Room - was properly socially distanced, so they were all two meters apart," he said.
"If the Secretary of State (Sharma) were to test positive for coronavirus then he will go through the test and trace process and follow the advice which they give to him."
Johnson has already contracted and recovered from COVID-19, but there is no certainty that would give him immunity.


jerusalempost--2020-06-04--Ramat Gan strangler was not under the influence of drugs, police say

Amit Almog, the alleged murderer of Maya Vishniyak, was not under the influence of drugs when he strangled Vishniyak and later attempted to stab his mother in their Ramat Gan home, a blood analysis done at Sheba Medical Center reveled, according to the Jerusalem Post’s sister publication Maariv The late Vishniyak was Almog’s girlfriend when he allegedly murdered her. She was 22 years old.According to media reports, Almog killed her when she attempted to end their relationship.


jerusalempost--2020-06-05--Cabinet secretary recommends all MKs to test for coronavirus

Cabinet Secretary Tzahi Braverman recommended that all Members of Knesset test for coronavirus on Sunday , after MK Samy Abu @ @ @ @ @ Israeli media reported Friday .

Cabinet Secretary Tzahi Braverman recommended that all Members of Knesset test for coronavirus on Sunday, after MK Samy Abu Shahadeh was tested positive, Israeli media reported Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-05--Due to risk of water pollution, swimming forbidden at Beit Yanai beach

Beit Yanai beach was closed to the public on Friday, Israeli media reported.The Health Ministry has recommended that all public activity at the beach be stopped until further notice, due to an unknown yellow substance flowing to the sea from the adjecant Alexander river.


jerusalempost--2020-06-05--WHO: It's not over until there is no virus anywhere in the world

Some countries have seen `` upticks '' in COVID-19 cases as lockdowns ease , and populations must continue to protect @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said on Friday .
`` On upticks , @ @ @ @ @ countries around the world - I 'm not talking specifically about Europe - when the @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures ease , people sometimes interpret this as 'OK , it 's over @ @ @ @ @ Margaret Harris told a U.N. briefing in Geneva .

Some countries have seen "upticks" in COVID-19 cases as lockdowns ease, and populations must continue to protect themselves against the coronavirus, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
"On upticks, yes we have seen in countries around the world - I'm not talking specifically about Europe - when the lockdowns ease, when the social distancing measures ease, people sometimes interpret this as 'OK, it's over'," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris told a U.N. briefing in Geneva.
"It's not over. It's not over until there is no virus anywhere in the world," she said, adding that U.S. protesters must also take precautions when gathering.


jerusalempost--2020-06-05--North Korea expresses support in  China's Hong Kong measures

North Korea 's foreign minister met with the Chinese ambassador to express support for China 's measures in Hong Kong @ @ @ @ @ state news agency said on Friday .
`` The Hong Kong issue is China 's @ @ @ @ @ violates China 's sovereignty , and North Korea will actively support the Chinese party and @ @ @ @ @ , safety and territorial integrity , '' KCNA cited foreign minister Ri Son Gwon as @ @ @ @ @ Jinjun expressed gratitude for North Korea 's support , it said .

North Korea's foreign minister met with the Chinese ambassador to express support for China's measures in Hong Kong, North Korea's KCNA state news agency said on Friday.
"The Hong Kong issue is China's internal affairs and external interference violates China's sovereignty, and North Korea will actively support the Chinese party and government to defend national sovereignty, safety and territorial integrity," KCNA cited foreign minister Ri Son Gwon as saying.
Chinese Ambassador Li Jinjun expressed gratitude for North Korea's support, it said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-05--Russia's coronavirus infections near 450,000

Russia reported 8,726 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday , pushing the total number of infections to 449,834 @ @ @ @ @ had died in the last 24 hours , bringing the official nationwide death toll to @ @

Russia reported 8,726 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, pushing the total number of infections to 449,834.
Officials said 144 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 5,528.