jerusalempost--2020-06-07--Scotland, Northern Ireland report no new COVID-19 deaths in past 24 hours

Scotland has recorded no deaths of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours , Scottish @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
Northern Ireland 's health department also said it had no new COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ hours to 0900 GMT on Sunday .
`` I would offer a note of caution @ @ @ @ @ today 's figure .
We know that fewer deaths tend to be registered at the @ @ @ @ @ at a news conference .
`` It is still very likely that further COVID deaths @ @ @ @ @ days ahead . ''

Scotland has recorded no deaths of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, Scottish health minister Jeane Freeman said on Sunday.
Northern Ireland's health department also said it had no new COVID-19 deaths reported in the 24 hours to 0900 GMT on Sunday.
"I would offer a note of caution about reading too much into today's figure. We know that fewer deaths tend to be registered at the weekend," Freeman said at a news conference.
"It is still very likely that further COVID deaths will be reported in the days ahead."


jerusalempost--2020-06-07--Saudi coronavirus cases exceed 100,000 - Reuters tally

The number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia exceeded 100,000 on Sunday as the kingdom struggles to get to grips @ @ @ @ @ number of new infections over the past ten days .
The Saudi Ministry of Health @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , taking the total to 101,914 .
The number of new daily cases exceeded @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .

The number of coronavirus cases in Saudi Arabia exceeded 100,000 on Sunday as the kingdom struggles to get to grips with a rise in the number of new infections over the past ten days.
The Saudi Ministry of Health reported 3,045 new cases on Sunday, taking the total to 101,914. The number of new daily cases exceeded 3,000 for the first time on Saturday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-07--New York City mayor ends 8 p.m. curfew a day early

The curfew ran from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. most nights and was put in place last Monday by de @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Cuomo amid protests against police brutality and intermittent looting .
City lawmakers had been @ @ @ @ @ the curfew , saying it was being used by police to justify arrests and using @ @ @ @ @ on protesters who defied the curfew .
`` Yesterday and last night we saw the @ @ @ @ @ , '' de Blasio said in a statement ending the curfew .

The curfew ran from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. most nights and was put in place last Monday by de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo amid protests against police brutality and intermittent looting.
City lawmakers had been urging de Blasio to end the curfew, saying it was being used by police to justify arrests and using night sticks and pepper spray on protesters who defied the curfew.
"Yesterday and last night we saw the very best of our city," de Blasio said in a statement ending the curfew.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ended a nightly curfew on Sunday, a day earlier than he had planned.


jerusalempost--2020-06-07--Wildfire breaks out near Palestinian village, advances towards Yitzhar

According to forces , the fire is around 200 meters wide and the is about 400 meters away from the @ @ @ @ @ Translated by Idan Zonshine .
A spokesperson for Israel Fire and Rescue Services said an @ @ @ @ @ dispatch aerial firefighting crews , but was canceled following the arrival of a tractor which @ @ @ @ @ a buffer line between the fire and the homes.Translated by Idan Zonshine .

According to forces, the fire is around 200 meters wide and the is about 400 meters away from the first line of houses.
Translated by Idan Zonshine. A spokesperson for Israel Fire and Rescue Services said an earlier request was made to dispatch aerial firefighting crews, but was canceled following the arrival of a tractor which was able to begin building a buffer line between the fire and the homes.Translated by Idan Zonshine.
Three Fire and Rescue crews are currently on the scene in an attempt to extinguish a wildfire that broke out on Sunday afternoon near the Palestinian village of Urif and is currently advancing towards the Jewish settlement of Yitzhar.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Moscow to end self-isolation regime, digital pass system from June 9 -TASS

Restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus including a self-isolation regime , a digital pass system and @ @ @ @ @ lifted in Moscow from June 9 , the TASS news agency cited a city official @ @ @ @ @ The spokesman for the Moscow Public Chamber announced the changes and said outdoor seating at @ @ @ @ @ city from June 16 .

Restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus including a self-isolation regime, a digital pass system and scheduled walking hours will be lifted in Moscow from June 9, the TASS news agency cited a city official as saying on Monday.
The spokesman for the Moscow Public Chamber announced the changes and said outdoor seating at cafes could open in the city from June 16.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Mask-wearing worshippers in temples as India reopens

After imposing a severe lockdown in March , Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's government is under pressure to fully open up the economy and get people back to work to prevent mass distress .
Strict guidelines have been issued for the opening up of public places and offices to prevent a further surge of infections in the world 's second-most populous country .
Underlining the challenge that authorities face , Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went into self-isolation at home after a bout of fever and throat pain , his party said .
A coronavirus test is scheduled for Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrior , he has been at the frontline of this fight , we hope he recovers soon , '' said Raghav Chadha , a party legislator .
Delhi , along with Mumbai , is a coronavirus hotspot .
Worshippers wore masks , stood 6 feet ( 2 metres ) part and went through thermal scanners at Hindu temples in the capital city and elsewhere in the country that are usually filled to capacity .
Harsh Vyas of an ISKCON ( International Society for Krishna Consciousness ) temple in the western city of Ahmedabad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are allowing only a small number of devotees inside the temple at one time .
We have drawn circles where they need to stand to ensure proper distancing of at least 6 feet , '' Vyas said .
Delhi will not allow hotels to reopen because it said it might need to convert them into temporary hospitals if there were a big jump in cases .
India 's total number of coronavirus cases reached 256,611 , the health ministry said , just behind Spain after a record one-day jump of 9,983 infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia and the United Kingdom have more cases , and health experts say India 's peak could still be weeks away , if not months .
Deaths from COVID-19 stood at 7,135 , still low compared with other countries that have suffered tens of thousands of fatalities .
In Mumbai a few offices opened , and in the suburbs there were long queues at bus stops as the commuter trains that are its lifeline have not yet opened .

After imposing a severe lockdown in March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is under pressure to fully open up the economy and get people back to work to prevent mass distress.
Strict guidelines have been issued for the opening up of public places and offices to prevent a further surge of infections in the world's second-most populous country.
Underlining the challenge that authorities face, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal went into self-isolation at home after a bout of fever and throat pain, his party said. A coronavirus test is scheduled for Tuesday.
"He has been a corona warrior, he has been at the frontline of this fight, we hope he recovers soon," said Raghav Chadha, a party legislator.
Delhi, along with Mumbai, is a coronavirus hotspot.
Worshippers wore masks, stood 6 feet (2 metres) part and went through thermal scanners at Hindu temples in the capital city and elsewhere in the country that are usually filled to capacity.
Harsh Vyas of an ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple in the western city of Ahmedabad said access was strictly controlled.
"We are allowing only a small number of devotees inside the temple at one time. We have drawn circles where they need to stand to ensure proper distancing of at least 6 feet," Vyas said.
Delhi will not allow hotels to reopen because it said it might need to convert them into temporary hospitals if there were a big jump in cases.
India's total number of coronavirus cases reached 256,611, the health ministry said, just behind Spain after a record one-day jump of 9,983 infections.
Only the United States, Brazil, Russia and the United Kingdom have more cases, and health experts say India's peak could still be weeks away, if not months.
Deaths from COVID-19 stood at 7,135, still low compared with other countries that have suffered tens of thousands of fatalities.
In Mumbai a few offices opened, and in the suburbs there were long queues at bus stops as the commuter trains that are its lifeline have not yet opened.
India reopened shopping malls and restaurants on Monday and people trickled into temples and mosques wearing masks even as the country added a record number of infections in a single day and was closing in on Spain and the United Kingdom's caseload.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Spain's supreme court investigates former king Juan Carlos on Saudi case

Spain 's supreme court prosecutor has opened an investigation into former King Juan Carlos as part of a probe into @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia , the country 's general prosecutor said in a statement on Monday .

Spain's supreme court prosecutor has opened an investigation into former King Juan Carlos as part of a probe into a high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia, the country's general prosecutor said in a statement on Monday.
The supreme court's prosecutor will investigate whether the former king can be included in the case as he was protected by immunity until June 2014 when he abdicated in favour of his son Felipe, the statement said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Australia says China unresponsive to its pleas to ease tensions

Australia said on Monday China remains unresponsive to its weeks-long pleas to ease tensions between the two trading partners that escalated after Canberra called for an international enquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus .
Australia has insisted the call for an independent investigation into the pandemic , which it says most likely originated in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan , was not politically targeted at Beijing .
China accused Australia of playing `` petty tricks '' and the Chinese ambassador to Australia said Chinese consumers could boycott Australian products if Australia pursued the inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imports from four of Australia 's largest meat processors and imposed hefty tariffs on barley , although both sides say that is unrelated to the latest spat .
Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham , who has been requesting discussions with Chinese counterpart for weeks , said Beijing has been ignoring Canberra 's pleas .
`` Unfortunately , our requests for a discussion have so far been met negatively , '' Birmingham told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Monday .
`` That 's disappointing . ''
China did not deny Birmingham 's specific comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are open between the two countries .
`` We hope that Australia will meet China halfway , truly adhere to principles of mutual respect and equality , and do more things that is beneficial to China-Australia 's mutual trust and cooperation , '' said spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily briefing .
China is Australia 's biggest export market .
Relations have been strained amid Australian accusations of Chinese meddling in domestic affairs and concern about what Australia sees as China 's growing regional influence .
On Friday , China advised its people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial discrimination and violence against the Chinese in connection with the pandemic , which Canberra disputed .

Australia said on Monday China remains unresponsive to its weeks-long pleas to ease tensions between the two trading partners that escalated after Canberra called for an international enquiry into the origins of the novel coronavirus.
Australia has insisted the call for an independent investigation into the pandemic, which it says most likely originated in a wildlife market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, was not politically targeted at Beijing.
China accused Australia of playing "petty tricks" and the Chinese ambassador to Australia said Chinese consumers could boycott Australian products if Australia pursued the inquiry.
China has also since suspended beef imports from four of Australia's largest meat processors and imposed hefty tariffs on barley, although both sides say that is unrelated to the latest spat.
Australian Trade Minister Simon Birmingham, who has been requesting discussions with Chinese counterpart for weeks, said Beijing has been ignoring Canberra's pleas.
"Unfortunately, our requests for a discussion have so far been met negatively," Birmingham told Australian Broadcasting Corp radio on Monday. "That's disappointing."
China did not deny Birmingham's specific comments on trade, but said diplomatic channels are open between the two countries.
"We hope that Australia will meet China halfway, truly adhere to principles of mutual respect and equality, and do more things that is beneficial to China-Australia's mutual trust and cooperation," said spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a daily briefing.
China is Australia's biggest export market. Relations have been strained amid Australian accusations of Chinese meddling in domestic affairs and concern about what Australia sees as China's growing regional influence.
On Friday, China advised its people to avoid traveling to Australia, citing racial discrimination and violence against the Chinese in connection with the pandemic, which Canberra disputed.
A Newspoll for The Australian newspaper on Monday showed 79% of Australians backed a global coronavirus investigation.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Malaysia reports 7 new coronavirus cases; no new deaths

The new cases raised the cumulative total to 8,329 cases .
The health ministry also reported no new deaths , @ @ @ @ @ .

The new cases raised the cumulative total to 8,329 cases. The health ministry also reported no new deaths, keeping total fatalities at 117.
Malaysian health authorities on Monday reported 7 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily increase since movement and business curbs were imposed 3 months ago.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Indonesia reports 847 new coronavirus infections, 32 new deaths

Indonesia 's health ministry on Monday reported 847 new coronavirus infections and 32 new deaths , taking the total number @ @ @ @ @ fatalities to 1,883 .
The Southeast Asian country has tested more than 274,400 people for @ @ @ @ @ a document by its COVID-19 task force .

Indonesia's health ministry on Monday reported 847 new coronavirus infections and 32 new deaths, taking the total number of cases to 32,033 and fatalities to 1,883.
The Southeast Asian country has tested more than 274,400 people for the virus, according to a document by its COVID-19 task force.
Some 10,904 patients have recovered, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Turkey orders 149 people detained for suspected Gulen links -Anadolu

Turkey on Monday ordered the detention of 149 people , mainly from the security forces , over suspected links to the network Ankara says orchestrated a failed coup in 2016 , state-owned Anadolu news agency reported .
Authorities have carried out a sustained crackdown on alleged followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen since the failed coup in July 2016 , when 250 people were killed .
Gulen denies any involvement .
A former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan , he has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999 .
The prosecutor 's office in the western province of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all previously sacked from the security forces and including six former police chiefs , security officials and Anadolu said .
Prosecutors in southeastern Gaziantep province ordered the detention of 33 people , including 24 security forces personnel on active duty , Anadolu said .
It said that in western Bursa province , prosecutors ordered the detention of 42 people , including six soldiers on active duty .
Erdogan has for years accused Gulen 's supporters of establishing a `` parallel state '' by infiltrating the police , judiciary , military and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , about 80,000 people have been held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants , military personnel and others sacked or suspended .

Turkey on Monday ordered the detention of 149 people, mainly from the security forces, over suspected links to the network Ankara says orchestrated a failed coup in 2016, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
Authorities have carried out a sustained crackdown on alleged followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen since the failed coup in July 2016, when 250 people were killed.
Gulen denies any involvement. A former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan, he has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999.
The prosecutor's office in the western province of Balikesir ordered the detention of 74 people, all previously sacked from the security forces and including six former police chiefs, security officials and Anadolu said.
Prosecutors in southeastern Gaziantep province ordered the detention of 33 people, including 24 security forces personnel on active duty, Anadolu said. It said that in western Bursa province, prosecutors ordered the detention of 42 people, including six soldiers on active duty.
Erdogan has for years accused Gulen's supporters of establishing a "parallel state" by infiltrating the police, judiciary, military and other state institutions.
Since the coup attempt, about 80,000 people have been held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others sacked or suspended.
Turkey's Western allies have criticised the scale of the crackdown, while Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the security threat.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--High schools educational trips to Poland canceled due to coronavirus

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Due to the rise of coronavirus infections, the Education Ministry has announced on Monday that school trips to Poland slated for October and November, meant to educate high schoolers on the Holocaust, have been canceled.This was decided after an evaluation by the Education Ministry in consultation with the Health Ministry. They concluded that given limitations because of coronavirus, it would be impossible to properly arrange such an operation.The Education Ministry has begun looking into alternatives, either delaying the flights to Poland to 2021, or organizing a Holocaust education tour in Israel instead of Poland.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Male MK to head Knesset Committee on Advancing Women

The new chairman of the Knesset Committee on Advancing the Status of Women will be Yisrael Beytenu faction chairman Oded Forer , the Knesset House Committee decided on Monday.Forer will replace Joint List MK Aida Touma-Sliman, who chaired the committee for the past four years.He will be the only man on the committee along with eight women.Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar was the only man to chair the committee until now. He chaired it when his party was in the opposition from 2006 to 2008.Touma-Sliman called Forer’s appointment “a practical joke,” but not because he is male.“The committee whose job it is to guarantee equality and social justice will be led by Yisrael Beytenu and the Right, which champion racism and trampling the rights and representation of the weakest sectors of the population,” she said.The social justice umbrella organization Anu called it “a parody” and “absurd” that a man will head the Knesset Committee on Advancing the Status of Women “as if no female MK can do it.”The feminist group Kolan started a petition drive calling upon Forer not to take the job. The organization called Forer’s appointment “a slap on the face to all women in Israel” and said that all the women on the committee are more qualified to head it than Forer.Forer responded that the debate over the gender of the committee chairman should not take attention away from important issues like violence against women and discrimination against women in the work place."I am happy that this committee finally attracted headlines, even if it is just from the surprise that a man could lead on this issue," Forer said.A subcommittee on stopping the murdering of women will be headed by Meretz faction head Tamar Zandberg.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Seven suspects arrested for shooting police car in Ramle

Seven suspects have been arrested following Sunday's shooting of a police car in Ramle, and will be brought to a hearing in Rishon Lezion Magistrate court.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Philippines probes fake Facebook accounts after anti-terror law protest

The Philippines is investigating the proliferation of fake Facebook accounts using the identities of students , journalists and government officials , which appeared after an anti-terror law protest , the justice secretary told Reuters on Monday .
The University of the Philippines first identified the accounts over the weekend following the protest on its campus on Thursday .
Those spotted carried names of students who were among eight people arrested during the protest .
Dozens of Facebook users have since posted screenshots of accounts using their names and urged friends to report the duplicates .
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and National Bureau of Investigation to `` get to the bottom of this huge anomaly '' .
A Facebook Inc spokesperson said the U.S. firm was investigating reports of `` suspicious activity '' and would act on accounts violating its policies .
Filipinos spend more time on social media than any other nationality , according to a recent study .
Platforms such as Facebook have become political battlegrounds , with so-called influencers emerging as a force behind President Rodrigo Duterte 's 2016 election campaign and defending him ever since .
Opposition Senator Francis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who oppose Duterte 's anti-terror bill .
A presidential spokesman previously said the bill is patterned on those used in countries that had dealt effectively with extremism .
Critics have said the bill could give the president unprecedented power to target them .
`` We just need to stand together against possible tactics seeking to silence our voice , '' the student representative of the state-funded university said in a statement opposing the accounts .
Raymund Liboro , head of the National Privacy Commission , said it was too early to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He told Reuters he had been informed by Facebook that the company had taken many of them down .
Facebook in May said it estimated the prevalence of fake accounts among its worldwide monthly active users at 5 % .

The Philippines is investigating the proliferation of fake Facebook accounts using the identities of students, journalists and government officials, which appeared after an anti-terror law protest, the justice secretary told Reuters on Monday.
The University of the Philippines first identified the accounts over the weekend following the protest on its campus on Thursday. Those spotted carried names of students who were among eight people arrested during the protest.
Dozens of Facebook users have since posted screenshots of accounts using their names and urged friends to report the duplicates.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he has ordered the cyber crime office and National Bureau of Investigation to "get to the bottom of this huge anomaly".
A Facebook Inc spokesperson said the U.S. firm was investigating reports of "suspicious activity" and would act on accounts violating its policies.
Filipinos spend more time on social media than any other nationality, according to a recent study. Platforms such as Facebook have become political battlegrounds, with so-called influencers emerging as a force behind President Rodrigo Duterte's 2016 election campaign and defending him ever since.
Opposition Senator Francis Pangilinan said he suspected the accounts targeted those who oppose Duterte's anti-terror bill.
A presidential spokesman previously said the bill is patterned on those used in countries that had dealt effectively with extremism. Critics have said the bill could give the president unprecedented power to target them.
"We just need to stand together against possible tactics seeking to silence our voice," the student representative of the state-funded university said in a statement opposing the accounts.
Raymund Liboro, head of the National Privacy Commission, said it was too early to draw conclusions on the motivation for the accounts. He told Reuters he had been informed by Facebook that the company had taken many of them down.
Facebook in May said it estimated the prevalence of fake accounts among its worldwide monthly active users at 5%.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--US decision to withdraw troops from Germany "unacceptable" - Merkel ally

Trump has ordered the US military to remove 9,500 troops from Germany , a senior US official said on Friday @ @ @ @ @ unacceptable , especially since nobody in Washington thought about informing its NATO ally Germany in @ @ @ @ @ , a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel 's conservatives , told the Rheinische Post newspaper @ @ @ @ @ , German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a newspaper interview that he regretted the @ @ @ @ @ from Germany , describing Berlin 's relationship with the United States as `` complicated .
@

Trump has ordered the US military to remove 9,500 troops from Germany, a senior US official said on Friday.
"This is completely unacceptable, especially since nobody in Washington thought about informing its NATO ally Germany in advance," Peter Beyer, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, told the Rheinische Post newspaper.
Following Trump's decision, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a newspaper interview that he regretted the planned withdrawal of US soldiers from Germany, describing Berlin's relationship with the United States as "complicated."
Germany's coordinator for transatlantic ties has criticized US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Japan watching Hong Kong situation with "deep concern" - Abe

His comments followed a Kyodo news agency report on Sunday that cited officials of Britain , the United States and other countries as saying Japan had decided not to join them in issuing a statement scolding China for the new law , which could endanger Hong Kong 's special autonomy and freedoms .
`` Hong Kong is an extremely important partner in terms of both tight economic ties and human relations , and it is important that the original system of 'one nation , two systems ' be upheld and things proceed stably and democratically , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement on May 28 , the day China passed the law , and called in the Chinese ambassador to convey its view .
A government source familiar with the matter said Japan did not participate in the joint statement partly because of `` rather short notice '' and partly in order to focus on efforts by the Group of Seven nations , rather then the signatories .
`` Japan took the position to do what it has to do independently , in this case because of , first , time constraints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that we emphasise our efforts in the G7 , '' the source told Reuters .
Other countries had expressed appreciation for Japan 's independent efforts , and it received no complaints , added the source , who sought anonymity because the matter was sensitive .
`` We 've expressed our opinions this way directly and promptly to China at a high level and have made our opinions quite clear to international society , '' Yoshihide Suga , the chief cabinet secretary , told a news conference .
Tokyo is in a bind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it plans for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping , originally set for April but postponed over the coronavirus .

His comments followed a Kyodo news agency report on Sunday that cited officials of Britain, the United States and other countries as saying Japan had decided not to join them in issuing a statement scolding China for the new law, which could endanger Hong Kong's special autonomy and freedoms.
But Tokyo was deeply concerned, Abe told parliament.
"Hong Kong is an extremely important partner in terms of both tight economic ties and human relations, and it is important that the original system of 'one nation, two systems' be upheld and things proceed stably and democratically," he said.
Japan expressed concern about Beijing's move in a statement on May 28, the day China passed the law, and called in the Chinese ambassador to convey its view.
A government source familiar with the matter said Japan did not participate in the joint statement partly because of "rather short notice" and partly in order to focus on efforts by the Group of Seven nations, rather then the signatories.
"Japan took the position to do what it has to do independently, in this case because of, first, time constraints, and secondly, our basic position is that we emphasise our efforts in the G7," the source told Reuters.
Other countries had expressed appreciation for Japan's independent efforts, and it received no complaints, added the source, who sought anonymity because the matter was sensitive.
"We've expressed our opinions this way directly and promptly to China at a high level and have made our opinions quite clear to international society," Yoshihide Suga, the chief cabinet secretary, told a news conference.
Tokyo is in a bind amid the U.S.-China tension over Hong Kong as it plans for a state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping, originally set for April but postponed over the coronavirus.
Japan is watching the situation in Hong Kong with "deep concern" after China passed a new security law for the city, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday, and stressed the importance of steps that upheld the principle of "one nation, two systems".


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Coronavirus update: 61 new patients overnight, 298 people dead

There was an increase of 61 sick people between 7:30 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., according to the National Security Council. In the evening, the Health Ministry reported 17,863 total cases. NSC reported 17,925 on Monday morning.There are currently 2,523 active cases, among them 29 in serious condition, including 23 who are intubated.So far, 298 people have died.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Thailand reports 7 more coronavirus cases, all in quarantine

Thailand confirmed seven new coronavirus infections and no new deaths on Monday , with the new cases found in quarantine @ @ @ @ @ two weeks without a local transmission .
Thailand has reported 77 cases in the past @ @ @ @ @ contained after being imported from overseas , said Taweesin Wisanuyothin , a spokesman for the @ @ @ @ @ Situation Administration .
The total number of confirmed cases stands at 3,119 , with 58 @ @

Thailand confirmed seven new coronavirus infections and no new deaths on Monday, with the new cases found in quarantine, taking the country to two weeks without a local transmission.
Thailand has reported 77 cases in the past 14 days and all were contained after being imported from overseas, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
The total number of confirmed cases stands at 3,119, with 58 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Denmark lifts limit on public gatherings to 50 people from 10

The restrictions on public gatherings were put in place on March 17 .

The restrictions on public gatherings were put in place on March 17.
Denmark on Monday lifted the limit on public gatherings to 50 people from 10 as it relaxes measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the ministry of health said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--New Zealand's last coronavirus patient fully recovers

New Zealand reported on Monday that the last coronavirus patient in the country has completely recovered – and now, for the first time since February 28 – there are no active cases of coronavirus in New Zealand.It has been 17 days since New Zealand reported any cases of new infections, but some warn that the virus may start spreading again as a result of people arriving from other countries.A total of 1,500 people were infected by coronavirus in New Zealand, 22 of them died.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--AIPAC releases statement mourning death of George Floyd

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) released a statement on Sunday, mourning the death of George Floyd."On the eve of George Floyd’s funeral, we join with millions of Americans who continue to mourn his murder," the statement read."His death is a shattering reminder of the injustice and inequities that Black Americans still endure in our society. The scourge of racism, intolerance and inequality must end."AIPAC is deeply and unshakably committed to the core American values of equality, freedom and justice. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Black community in its ongoing struggle for the same rights and respect to which all Americans are entitled."Floyd, 46, was killed by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. His death sparked a massive public outcry against racism and police brutality, provoking widespread protests and riots in cities throughout the US and around the world.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--North Korea says it will sever hotlines with South Korea

North Korea said on Tuesday it will sever inter-Korean hotlines with South Korea as the first step toward completely shutting @ @ @ @ @ with Seoul , state news agency KCNA reported .
For several days , North Korea @ @ @ @ @ Korea , threatening to close an inter-Korean liaison office and other projects if the South @ @ @ @ @ sending leaflets and other material into the North .

North Korea said on Tuesday it will sever hotlines with South Korea as the first step toward shutting down all contact with Seoul, state news agency KCNA reported.
For several days, North Korea has lashed out at South Korea, threatening to close an inter-Korean liaison office and other projects if the South does not stop defectors from sending leaflets and other material into the North.
Top government officials in North Korea, including leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, and Kim Yong Chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, determined "that the work towards the South should thoroughly turn into the one against an enemy," KCNA said.
As a first step, at noon on Tuesday, North Korea will close lines of communication at an inter-Korean liaison office, and hotlines between the two militaries and presidential offices, the report said.
On Tuesday morning, North Korean officials did not answer a routine daily call to the liaison office, nor calls on military hotlines, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean officials.
On Monday morning, North Korea did not answer the liaison phone call for the first time since 2018, though it later answered an afternoon call.
The decision to cut communications mark a setback in relations amid efforts to try and persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program in exchange for relief on tough international sanctions. The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Shares of South Korea's defense firms surged after North Korea announced it would sever the hotlines.
Analysts said the move is likely about more than the defectors, as North Korea is under increasing economic pressure as the coronavirus crisis and international sanctions take their toll.
"North Korea is in a much more dire situation then we think," said Choo Jae-woo, a professor at Kyung Hee University "I think they are trying to squeeze something out of the South."
Cutting communications is "a well-worn play for Pyongyang," but one that can be dangerous, Daniel Wertz, of the U.S.-based National Committee on North Korea, said on Twitter.
"Regular communication channels are needed most during a crisis, and for that reason North Korea cuts them off to create an atmosphere of heightened risk," he said.
The people of North Korea have "been angered by the treacherous and cunning behavior of the South Korean authorities, with whom we still have lots of accounts to settle," KCNA said.
The report accused South Korean authorities of irresponsibly allowing defectors to hurt the dignity of North Korea's supreme leadership.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Bail set for former police officer in George Floyd case at $1.25 million

Bail for the white former Minneapolis police officer charged with murdering African American George Floyd, whose death has ignited two weeks of protests, has been raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million, the Minnesota-based Star Tribune said on Monday.The new bail terms were decided at a court hearing for the former officer, Derek Chauvin, who is charged with second-degree murder. Floyd died on May 25 in Minneapolis after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank argued that the “severity of the charges,” as well as the strength of public opinion, made it more likely that Chauvin would flee if set free, the Star Tribune reported.Chauvin’s attorney did not object to the bail conditions, raised to $1.25 million from $1 million without conditions, and to $1 million from $750,000 with conditions, the newspaper said. (Reuters)


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Rocket hit near Baghdad international airport, no casualties

A rocket landed in the perimeter of Baghdad International Airport on Monday, the Iraqi military said.The military said the rocket was launched from an area to the south of the airport and there were no reported damages or casualties.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Suspected hit-and-run reported in Jerusalem

This is a developing situation.
A suspected hit-and-run was reported in east Jerusalem near the neighborhoods of Shuafat and Pisgat Ze'ev on Monday evening. A police officer was injured lightly in the incident and the vehicle involved escaped from the scene. The background of the incident is being investigated by Israel Police.Magen David Adom reported that two individuals were injured in the incident and transferred to the Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center in light condition.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Border Police officer convicted of assault, obstruction of justice

The officer had asked those present at the scene of the incident not to discuss the incident .

A Border Police officer was convicted of assault, reckless and negligent actions and obstruction of justice by the Magistrate's Court in Jerusalem on Monday, for an incident in 2018 in which she shot a Palestinian who was walking away after being released after he had been checked by police, according to Walla! news.
בימ"ש השלום בירושלים הרשיע במסגרת הסדר טיעון שוטרת מג"ב בתקיפה סתם וברשלנות בנשק. זאת לאחר שבחודש מאי 2018 היא וחבריה לכוח ירו בפלסטיני באזור עוטף ירושלים. האירוע תועד ובו נראה הפלסטיני נורה לאחר שנבדק ושוחרר@VeredPelman pic.twitter.com/n2AMMnPqwH — כאן חדשות (@kann_news) June 8, 2020
The officer had asked those present at the scene of the incident not to discuss the incident.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Coronavirus in Israel on the rise: More than 125 sick since midnight

`` What we decided to do , first of all , is to hit the emergency brake , '' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said .
`` We stopped all of the measures to ease restrictions that we were going to apply in the coming days .
We will check this again next week.
” One exception is event halls .
The prime minister said that the government will allow them to operate according to the directives of the Health Ministry , which “ we will report to you later on . ''
Netanyahu said that the meeting opened with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been a very steep increase in morbidity .
`` It could be that we are already seeing the doubling of the rate of infection within 10 days , '' the prime minister said .
`` I very much hope not . ''
The city with the fastest growing level of infection is Tel Aviv , where 66 people were diagnosed with Government insiders said that the Health Ministry is already warning of a scary situation : “ We need to prepare for a situation in which the second wave will be worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 5,000 people on ventilators , '' the Hebrew TV station N12 reported .
Several ministers are pushing back against the ministry , saying that the Health Ministry is running an “ unspeakable intimidation campaign .
We do not have to go to extremes to understand that we must prepare , especially when the events predicted during the first wave did not materialize , ” N12 reported .
Within the last day , 169 Israelis were diagnosed with the novel virus , bringing the country ’ s total number of patients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the same time , the number of patients in serious condition remains low at 29 , including some 23 people who are ventilated.The city with the fastest growing level of infection is Tel Aviv , where 66 people were diagnosed with coronavirus in the last three days .
There were 32 new patients in Jerusalem and 16 in the southern city of Sderot.Government insiders said that the Health Ministry is already warning of a scary situation : “ We need to prepare for a situation in which the second wave will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have as many as 5,000 people on ventilators , '' the Hebrew TV station N12 reported.Several ministers are pushing back against the ministry , saying that the Health Ministry is running an “ unspeakable intimidation campaign .
We do not have to go to extremes to understand that we must prepare , especially when the events predicted during the first wave did not materialize , ” N12 reported .
However , the prime minister has reportedly already started to express concern .
In closed meetings on Monday he said that “ If this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backwards and closing what we have opened.
” Though he said that if the situation does arise , “ we will do it in the way that least harms the economy.
” Among the easements that are being pushed off : The intercity train will not resume operation , as originally agreed upon by the Health and Transportation ministries .
In addition , theaters , and cultural centers , such as movie theaters , will not open .
`` We have the ability to maintain the health of the public and our staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edri .
`` We ask the prime minister and the health minister : ‘ Let us go back to running the trains !
’ '' Edri said that the management together with the workers committee had prepared a comprehensive plan to meet all the Health Ministry 's requirements .
`` During the months that the train did not operate , the railroad and station routes were upgraded and extensive maintenance work was done on the train to provide passengers with the best service - for soldiers , students and people who do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work , '' she continued , noting that `` this makes no sense '' when all other modes of public transportation have already resumed .
Coronavirus infections in schools are also climbing .
As of Monday night , 385 students and faculty members were sick with the virus and 135 schools and preschools were closed .
In total , 17,605 students and teachers were in isolation .
The Education Ministry said that 63 schools that had been closed due to the virus would return to operation this week .
`` The main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we must keep the three rules : Wearing masks , keeping two meters ’ distance and hygiene – washing hands , '' Netanyahu added .
`` I ask you , for our economy , for our health and for the lives of us all – please follow the rules.
” Also , on Monday , the IDF held a forum on the pandemic , attended by the Chief of Staff , Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi , as well as other senior officials .
The event focused on the best practices and activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ army and in assisting with the needs of the civilian sector .
Kochavi praised the soldiers for their work and highlighted that the IDF is preparing for a potential second wave if it were to occur .
Meanwhile , a Knesset committee meeting reviewing whether the country would be prepared for a future plague found that Israel would fall short .
`` Even if there is a vaccine for the coronavirus , another pandemic will almost certainly erupt in the future , '' MK Ofer Shelah said .
`` The crisis in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fact there is not enough manpower - 50 % of the medical staff is retiring and the gap in the medical system is increasing . ''
At the same time , Dr. Hagai Levine , chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health , charged that `` health officials do not even have the basic epidemiologic data on patients to make decisions . ''

The coronavirus cabinet decided on Monday to freeze nearly all easing of restrictions that were expected in the coming days as the number of active cases continues to climb across the country.
"What we decided to do, first of all, is to hit the emergency brake," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "We stopped all of the measures to ease restrictions that we were going to apply in the coming days. We will check this again next week.”
One exception is event halls. The prime minister said that the government will allow them to operate according to the directives of the Health Ministry, which “we will report to you later on."
Netanyahu said that the meeting opened with a briefing by experts who showed that there has been a very steep increase in morbidity.
"It could be that we are already seeing the doubling of the rate of infection within 10 days," the prime minister said. "I very much hope not."
The city with the fastest growing level of infection is Tel Aviv, where 66 people were diagnosed with Several ministers are pushing back against the ministry, saying that the Health Ministry is running an “unspeakable intimidation campaign. We do not have to go to extremes to understand that we must prepare, especially when the events predicted during the first wave did not materialize,” N12 reported. Within the last day, 169 Israelis were diagnosed with the novel virus, bringing the country’s total number of patients to 18,032 - among them 2,607 active cases. At the same time, the number of patients in serious condition remains low at 29, including some 23 people who are ventilated.The city with the fastest growing level of infection is Tel Aviv, where 66 people were diagnosed with coronavirus in the last three days. There were 32 new patients in Jerusalem and 16 in the southern city of Sderot.Government insiders said that the Health Ministry is already warning of a scary situation: “We need to prepare for a situation in which the second wave will be worse than the first and we have as many as 5,000 people on ventilators," the Hebrew TV station N12 reported.Several ministers are pushing back against the ministry, saying that the Health Ministry is running an “unspeakable intimidation campaign. We do not have to go to extremes to understand that we must prepare, especially when the events predicted during the first wave did not materialize,” N12 reported.
However, the prime minister has reportedly already started to express concern. In closed meetings on Monday he said that “If this trend continues, we will consider going backwards and closing what we have opened.” Though he said that if the situation does arise, “we will do it in the way that least harms the economy.”
Among the easements that are being pushed off: The intercity train will not resume operation, as originally agreed upon by the Health and Transportation ministries. In addition, theaters, and cultural centers, such as movie theaters, will not open.
"We have the ability to maintain the health of the public and our staff," said Railways workers committee Gila Edri. "We ask the prime minister and the health minister: ‘Let us go back to running the trains!’"
Edri said that the management together with the workers committee had prepared a comprehensive plan to meet all the Health Ministry's requirements.
"During the months that the train did not operate, the railroad and station routes were upgraded and extensive maintenance work was done on the train to provide passengers with the best service - for soldiers, students and people who do not have private vehicles and need to return to work," she continued, noting that "this makes no sense" when all other modes of public transportation have already resumed.
Coronavirus infections in schools are also climbing.
As of Monday night, 385 students and faculty members were sick with the virus and 135 schools and preschools were closed. In total, 17,605 students and teachers were in isolation.
The Education Ministry said that 63 schools that had been closed due to the virus would return to operation this week.
"The main thing that all the experts emphasized is that we must keep the three rules: Wearing masks, keeping two meters’ distance and hygiene – washing hands," Netanyahu added. "I ask you, for our economy, for our health and for the lives of us all – please follow the rules.”
Also, on Monday, the IDF held a forum on the pandemic, attended by the Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, as well as other senior officials. The event focused on the best practices and activities implemented by the military both within the army and in assisting with the needs of the civilian sector.
Kochavi praised the soldiers for their work and highlighted that the IDF is preparing for a potential second wave if it were to occur.
Meanwhile, a Knesset committee meeting reviewing whether the country would be prepared for a future plague found that Israel would fall short.
"Even if there is a vaccine for the coronavirus, another pandemic will almost certainly erupt in the future," MK Ofer Shelah said. "The crisis in the health system will be due to the that fact there is not enough manpower - 50% of the medical staff is retiring and the gap in the medical system is increasing."
At the same time, Dr. Hagai Levine, chairman of the Israeli Association of Public Health, charged that "health officials do not even have the basic epidemiologic data on patients to make decisions."
Rossella Tercatin contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--63 schools that closed due to coronavirus to reopen this week


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--El Al extends unpaid leave of thousands of workers until July 31

El Al has extended the unpaid leave of thousands of employees by a further month, the airline informed the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Monday.About 5,800 employees of El Al and its subsidiaries are currently on unpaid leave until July 31. On Sunday, the national flagcarrier said it would continue to ground all scheduled flights until June 30, with the exception of cargo flights and one-off services.The airline is currently considering a revised bail out offer proposed by the Finance Ministry on Sunday, including a $250 million loan and a $150m. share offering.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--Student in Modi'in infected with coronavirus

A student at the ORT school in Modi'in-Maccabim-Reut was confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on Monday, according to Walla! news. All 7th grade students in her class and her teachers have entered quarantine.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--8 foreign workers living at Eilat hotel infected with coronavirus

At least eight foreign workers who live at a hotel in Eilat were confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on Monday, according to Channel 12.Additional workers may have been infected as well and epidemiological investigations are being conducted by the Health Ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-06-08--White House adviser: '100%' chance of another coronavirus aid deal

President Donald Trump's economic adviser on Monday said he was near certain that the administration and Congress would finalize another round of coronavirus aid next month, although it was too soon to say how much money the White House would support."The odds of there being a Phase 4 deal are close to 100%," White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC in an interview, adding that the specifics of any deal would depend on how economic data looked between now and July.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--UN expert reports widespread food shortages, "starving" in North Korea

A United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm on Tuesday at what he called `` widespread food shortages and malnutrition @ @ @ @ @ which have been exacerbated by a nearly five-month border closure with China and measures against @ @ @ @ @ , UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea @ @ @ @ @ the UN Security Council to `` reconsider sanctions '' on the isolated country so as @ @ @ @ @ food supplies .
`` There have been reports of an increase of homeless people in @ @ @ @ @ ( street children ) , and medicine prices have reportedly skyrocketed .
An increasing number @ @ @ @ @ a day , or eat only corn , and some are starving , '' he @ @ @ @ @ Elisabeth Byrs , spokeswoman of the U.N. 's World Food Programme ( WFP ) , @ @ @ @ @ that the humanitarian situation in North Korea `` remains bleak , '' with some 10 @ @ @ @ @ of the population , needing humanitarian aid .

A United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm on Tuesday at what he called "widespread food shortages and malnutrition" in North Korea, which have been exacerbated by a nearly five-month border closure with China and measures against COVID-19.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), urged the UN Security Council to "reconsider sanctions" on the isolated country so as to ensure the flow of food supplies.
"There have been reports of an increase of homeless people in large cities – including kotjebi (street children), and medicine prices have reportedly skyrocketed. An increasing number of families eat only twice a day, or eat only corn, and some are starving," he said in a statement.
Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP), told a Geneva news briefing that the humanitarian situation in North Korea "remains bleak," with some 10 million, or 40% of the population, needing humanitarian aid.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Bank of Israel director-general Hezi Kalo announces retirement

Hezi Kalo , director-general of the Bank of Israel announced his retirement on Tuesday .
Kalo wil be retiring on @ @ @ @ @ after having served 12 years as director-general of the Bank of Israel .
During those @ @ @ @ @ alongside three governors ; Prof. Stanley Fischer ; Prof. Karnit Flug and current governor of @ @ @ @ @ Prof. Amir Yaron , appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018 .
Jerusalem Post @ @ @ @ @ .
Alongside his retirement announcement , Kalo established a new committee to appoint the new @ @ @ @ @ Staff contributed to this report .

Hezi Kalo, director-general of the Bank of Israel announced his retirement on Tuesday.
Kalo wil be retiring on September 15, 2020, after having served 12 years as director-general of the Bank of Israel.
During those 12 years, he served alongside three governors; Prof. Stanley Fischer; Prof. Karnit Flug and current governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Amir Yaron, appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Gantz tasks Amir Eshel to find new head of National Emergency Authority

Defense Minister Benny Gantz appointed Amir Eshel , current Defense Ministry director-general to appoint someone to the position of head @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
For the last seven months the position had not been permanently filled @ @ @ @ @ to step down in November , and was instead led by a series of officials @ @ @ @ @ .

Defense Minister Benny Gantz appointed Amir Eshel, current Defense Ministry director-general to appoint someone to the position of head of the National Emergency Authority on Tuesday.
For the last seven months the position had not been permanently filled after Ze'ev Tzok Ram requested to step down in November, and was instead led by a series of officials who temporarily held the position.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Indonesia reports 1,043 new coronavirus infections, biggest daily rise

There were also 40 new deaths , bringing total fatalities to 1,923 , said Achmad Yurianto , a ministry official @ @ @ @ @ has tested more than 281,650 for the virus as of Tuesday , data by its @ @ @ @ @

There were also 40 new deaths, bringing total fatalities to 1,923, said Achmad Yurianto, a ministry official.
The Southeast Asian country has tested more than 281,650 for the virus as of Tuesday, data by its COVID-19 task force showed.
Indonesia's health ministry reported 1,043 new coronavirus infections on Tuesday, its biggest daily rise in cases, taking the total number of infections to 33,076.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--UK COVID-19 death toll hits 51,766, including suspected cases

The United Kingdom 's COVID-19 death toll hit 51,766 on Tuesday , according to a Reuters tally of official data @ @ @ @ @ 's place as one of the worst hit in the world .
The Reuters tally @ @ @ @ @ mentioned on death certificates in England , Wales and Northern Ireland up to May 29 @ @ @ @ @ 31 in Scotland .
It also includes more recent hospital deaths .

The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death toll hit 51,766 on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally of official data sources that confirmed the country's place as one of the worst hit in the world.
The Reuters tally comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to May 29, and up to May 31 in Scotland. It also includes more recent hospital deaths.
Unlike the lower death toll published daily by the government, the death certificate figures include suspected cases.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Turkey orders arrest of 275 military personnel -Anadolu

Authorities have carried out a sustained crackdown on alleged followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen since the coup attempt in July 2016 , when 250 people were killed .
Gulen denies any involvement .
The former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999 .
The police operation was coordinated from the western city of Izmir and targeted people in 22 provinces , state-owned Anadolu news agency said .
The police have already detained 145 of the suspects , it said .
The suspects , mostly on active duty , were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followers through pay phones and to have received advantages in admission to military schools , Anadolu said .
In a separate operation , police detained 16 military personnel the southeastern city Diyarbakir over the weekend , security sources said .
On Tuesday , a local court jailed six of them pending trial and freed 10 others , the sources added .
Istanbul police said prosecutors had ordered the detention of 44 military personnel , including a major and three lieutenants , as well as doctors and teachers .
It said 33 people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over eight provinces .
Anadolu said police had also detained 25 out of 32 suspects from the air forces as part of another operation .
It said detention warrants were issued for eight people in the gendarmerie forces , including a colonel .
Turkey 's Western allies have criticised the scale of the crackdown , while Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the security threat .
Erdogan has for years accused Gulen 's supporters of establishing a `` parallel state '' by infiltrating the police , judiciary , military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coup attempt , about 80,000 people have been held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants , military personnel and others sacked or suspended .

Authorities have carried out a sustained crackdown on alleged followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen since the coup attempt in July 2016, when 250 people were killed.
Gulen denies any involvement. The former ally of President Tayyip Erdogan has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999.
The police operation was coordinated from the western city of Izmir and targeted people in 22 provinces, state-owned Anadolu news agency said. The police have already detained 145 of the suspects, it said.
The suspects, mostly on active duty, were believed to have communicated to other Gulen followers through pay phones and to have received advantages in admission to military schools, Anadolu said.
In a separate operation, police detained 16 military personnel the southeastern city Diyarbakir over the weekend, security sources said. On Tuesday, a local court jailed six of them pending trial and freed 10 others, the sources added.
Istanbul police said prosecutors had ordered the detention of 44 military personnel, including a major and three lieutenants, as well as doctors and teachers. It said 33 people had already been detained in the operation spread over eight provinces.
Anadolu said police had also detained 25 out of 32 suspects from the air forces as part of another operation. It said detention warrants were issued for eight people in the gendarmerie forces, including a colonel.
Turkey's Western allies have criticised the scale of the crackdown, while Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the security threat.
Erdogan has for years accused Gulen's supporters of establishing a "parallel state" by infiltrating the police, judiciary, military and other state institutions.
Since the coup attempt, about 80,000 people have been held pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others sacked or suspended.
Turkish authorities have ordered the detention of 275 people, mainly military personnel, over suspected links to the network that Ankara says orchestrated a failed coup in 2016, police, security sources and state media said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Russia's coronavirus cases pass 485,000

Russia's coronavirus cases pass 485,000

Russia reported 8,595 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday , bringing the number of infections nationwide to 485,253 @ @ @ @ @ 171 people had died from the virus in the last 24 hours , pushing the @ @ @ @ @ .

Russia reported 8,595 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the number of infections nationwide to 485,253. The authorities said that 171 people had died from the virus in the last 24 hours, pushing the total death toll to 6,142.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Coronavirus may have been spreading in China since August - Harvard study

`` Increased hospital traffic and symptom search data in Wuhan preceded the documented start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in December @ @ @ @ @ the research .
`` While we can not confirm if the increased volume was directly @ @ @ @ @ , our evidence supports other recent work showing that emergence happened before identification at the @ @ @ @ @

Beijing dismissed as "ridiculous" a Harvard Medical School study of hospital traffic and search engine data that suggested the new coronavirus may already have been spreading in China last August, and scientists said it offered no convincing evidence of when the outbreak began.The research, which has not been peer-reviewed by other scientists, used satellite imagery of hospital parking lots in Wuhan - where the disease was first identified in late 2019 - and data for symptom-related queries on search engines for things such as "cough" and "diarrhea."The study's authors said increased hospital traffic and symptom search data in Wuhan preceded the documented start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in December 2019."While we cannot confirm if the increased volume was directly related to the new virus, our evidence supports other recent work showing that emergence happened before identification at the Huanan Seafood market (in Wuhan)," they said.Paul Digard, an expert in virology at the University of Edinburgh, said that using search engine data and satellite imagery of hospital traffic to detect disease outbreaks "is an interesting idea with some validity."But he said the data were only correlative and - as the Harvard scientists noted - cannot identify cause."It's an interesting piece of work, but I'm not sure it takes us much further forward," said Keith Neal, a professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at Britain's Nottingham University.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, asked about the research at a news briefing on Tuesday, said: "I think it is ridiculous, incredibly ridiculous, to come up with this conclusion based on superficial observations such as traffic volume."The Harvard research, which was posted online as a so-called "preprint," showed a steep increase in hospital car park occupancy in August 2019."In August, we identify a unique increase in searches for diarrhea which was neither seen in previous flu seasons or mirrored in the cough search data," it said.Neal said the study included traffic around at least one children's hospital and that while children do get ill with flu, they do not tend to get sick with COVID-19 Digard cautioned that by focusing only on hospitals in Wuhan, already known to be the epicenter of the outbreak, "the study forces the correlation.""It would have been interesting - and possibly much more convincing - to have seen control analyzes of other Chinese cities outside of the Hubei region," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--China tells students to consider whether to study in Australia or leave

The ministry warned that there have been multiple incidents of racial incidents targeting Asians in Australia amid the COVID-19 epidemic @ @ @ @ @ last week advised the public to avoid traveling to Australia .

The ministry warned that there have been multiple incidents of racial incidents targeting Asians in Australia amid the COVID-19 epidemic, without elaborating. China last week advised the public to avoid traveling to Australia.
China's education ministry warned on Tuesday that Chinese students should consider whether to study in Australia, amid escalating tensions between Beijing and Canberra.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Coronavirus: 228 new patients overnight, according to NSC

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The country will be doing more to enforce the Health Ministry’s primary coronavirus regulations as the number of people infected with COVID-19 surges throughout Israel.At the urgent request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the National Security Council, Meir Ben-Shabbat, held a meeting to formulate immediate and practical steps for tightening enforcement against the spread of coronavirus. In attendance were top officials, including the health minister and chief of police, as well as the heads of local authorities.A decision was made to activate the police, local authority inspectors and even population and immigration inspectors – each according to his strengths – to enforce regulations in four areas: wearing masks, congregating in groups that are too large or too close together, complying with the “Purple Ribbon” standard for businesses, and enforcing isolation of patients and people who have come in contact with them.Local authorities are expected to complete a training program by Monday to prepare their inspectors for the task. The Justice Department is working on completing legislative procedures to empower the inspectors, and the Public Security Ministry has been tasked with taking responsibility for the project.The meeting piggybacked on remarks made earlier in the day by Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, who said that the government did not yet have intention to “go backwards” and begin reinstating closures. Rather, he said, that strict enforcement of the regulations would be instated.Edelstein compared violating regulations to breaking traffic laws.“Anyone who walks around without a mask is like someone who drove at 160 kilometers per hour,” he said. “In 2019, 349 people were killed in traffic accidents.”In the last three months, 299 Israelis have died of coronavirus.“Only when people make this connection will we be able to dramatically reduce the spread of coronavirus,” Edelstein said.Some 148 more people were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country’s total number of infected people since the start of the crisis to 18,180. There are currently 2,722 active cases – up 115 from the day before.Among the sick are 31 people with serious symptoms – up two from Monday. Among them are 23 people who are intubated.The numbers reflect a worsening of the situation in the country, one that Edelstein termed “alarming and dramatic,” on Tuesday during a briefing he held after a visit to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba.ON MAY 4, as Netanyahu lifted restrictions, he warned the country that there were three ways in which the easing of restrictions could be halted: should there be 100 new daily cases of infection – excluding individuals arriving from abroad, outbreaks in retirement homes and those living in towns or cities currently defined as outbreak hot spots; should the rate of infections return to doubling itself within 10 days; or should the number of patients in serious condition reach 250.Not only is Israel seeing more than 100 patients per day for several days running, but the number of infections doubled itself in the last eight days. Infectious disease specialists have warned that there is often a point in the progression of COVID-19 where a patient who is seemingly in stable condition takes a sudden turn for the worse and requires hospitalization. Since many of the active cases in Israel are newly infected, it is still unclear how many of them will become seriously ill.Tel Aviv has seen the highest number of new patients – 81 in the past three days. This can be compared to its neighboring Bnei Brak, an ultra-Orthodox city that became a focus of infection during the earlier coronavirus peak, which had only 25 cases in the last three days.While one cause for the spike in cases in Tel Aviv is its large foreign worker population, which lives in cramped conditions and has a lower income level so might be inclined to work even if sick, there are also cases within the general population. Health officials have said this is because many residents are not following guidelines.In schools, the numbers are also growing. The Education Ministry reported 418 sick students and teachers on Tuesday night, and 21,877 in isolation. Some 137 schools are closed.The government is considering returning grades 1-10 to capsule learning to help slow the infection rate in the country’s educational institutions, which are currently expected to stay open through late June or mid-July.“If we do not recover, we will be in a problematic place,” Edelstein said. Nonetheless, he told the media that he does still hope to open the intercity train in the near future – a move that was delayed because of the rise in corona cases.“The sight of people in a box like sardines, eating and drinking without masks – we cannot afford it,” he said. Yet, he noted that the Health and Transportation ministries have agreed on an outline for operating the train, including pre-sale of tickets and prohibiting standing passengers.“If there is no change in the trend, we will start the train soon,” he said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Norwegian Law to finish being prepared for second and third reading

The Knesset Law , Constitution and Justice Committee will finish preparing the Norwegian Law for its second and third reading on Tuesday .
MK Ya'acov Asher told Maariv , Jerusalem Post 's sister publication , `` According to the plan , the Norwegian Law will pass today in the committee .
We are in the process of finishing preparing the law , and it will go to its second and third reading in the beginning of next week .
`` It 's not a secret , that in the current situation , there 's distress in the Knesset .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passing of this law as quickly as possible , in order to clear the table for the more important things that the committee needs to deal with in the near future , such as the Coronavirus Powers Act , and other important things . ''
Gil Hoffman contributed to this report .
On Monday , the controversial Norwegian Law was not brought to a final vote in the Knesset plenum , because an MK tested positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday , MKs said at Sunday ’ s meeting of the Knesset Law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this report .

The Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee will finish preparing the Norwegian Law for its second and third reading on Tuesday.
MK Ya'acov Asher told Maariv, Jerusalem Post's sister publication, "According to the plan, the Norwegian Law will pass today in the committee. We are in the process of finishing preparing the law, and it will go to its second and third reading in the beginning of next week."It's not a secret, that in the current situation, there's distress in the Knesset. I strived from the beginning to expedite the passing of this law as quickly as possible, in order to clear the table for the more important things that the committee needs to deal with in the near future, such as the Coronavirus Powers Act, and other important things."


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Indonesia says quake hits south of Buru island, no tsunami risk

An earthquake with a 6.0 magnitude struck south of Buru Island in the Moluccas Islands province in eastern Indonesia , @ @ @ @ @ climatology and geophysical agency ( BMKG ) said on Tuesday .

An earthquake with a 6.0 magnitude struck south of Buru Island in the Moluccas Islands province in eastern Indonesia, the country's meteorology, climatology and geophysical agency (BMKG) said on Tuesday.
The quake, which had a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), was not expected to trigger a tsunami, the agency added in a bulletin posted on Twitter.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Thailand reports 2 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

The two cases were quarantined Thai nationals returning from Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands , said Panprapa Yongtrakul , a @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 Administration Centre .
Thailand has recorded no new local transmissions for 15 days in @ @ @ @ @ patients have recovered .

The two cases were quarantined Thai nationals returning from Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, said Panprapa Yongtrakul, a spokeswoman for the government's COVID-19 Administration Centre.
Thailand has recorded no new local transmissions for 15 days in a row, while 2,973 patients have recovered.
Thailand on Tuesday reported two new coronavirus cases and no new deaths, bringing its total to 3,121 confirmed cases, of which 58 were fatalities.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 252 to 184,193 - RKI

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 252 to 184,193 , data from the Robert Koch Institute @ @ @ @ @ diseases showed on Tuesday .
The reported death toll rose by 16 to 8,674 , @ @ @ @

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 252 to 184,193, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.
The reported death toll rose by 16 to 8,674, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Italy: More than half of the Bergamo Province Infected with coronavirus

In a serological survey conducted in the Bergamo Province of Italy , authorities reported that more than half of the @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus , Walla reported on Tuesday .
The Province of Bergamo was one of @ @ @ @ @ in the country .

In a serological survey conducted in the Bergamo Province of Italy, authorities reported that more than half of the local population have been infected with coronavirus, Walla reported on Tuesday.
The Province of Bergamo was one of the epicenters of the outbreak in the country.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Daily weather forecast: Partly cloudy with a slight drop in temperature

According to the meteorological center in Beit Dagan , today 's weather will be partly cloudy in most areas of @ @ @ @ @ slight drop in temperature .
The temperatures expected on Tuesday are 20-33 degrees Celsius in @ @ @ @ @ Haifa , 22-25 degrees in Tel Aviv , 20-30 degrees in Jerusalem , 20-32 degrees @ @ @ @ @ in Eilat .

According to the meteorological center in Beit Dagan, today's weather will be partly cloudy in most areas of the country, with a slight drop in temperature.
The temperatures expected on Tuesday are 20-33 degrees Celsius in Tiberias, 20-23 degrees in Haifa, 22-25 degrees in Tel Aviv, 20-30 degrees in Jerusalem, 20-32 degrees in Beer-Sheba and 29-39 degrees in Eilat.


jerusalempost--2020-06-10--Mainland China reports 8 new coronavirus cases

All the new confirmed cases involved travelers from overseas , the commission said in a statement .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported a day earlier .
The tally of mainland infections now @ @ @ @ @ death toll unchanged at 4,634 .
China does not count asymptomatic patients , who are @ @ @ @ @ do not show symptoms , as confirmed COVID-19 cases .

All the new confirmed cases involved travelers from overseas, the commission said in a statement. A total of three new confirmed and 21 asymptomatic COVID-19 cases were reported a day earlier.
The tally of mainland infections now stands at 83,046 with the death toll unchanged at 4,634. China does not count asymptomatic patients, who are infected with the coronavirus but do not show symptoms, as confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Mainland China reported three confirmed and five new asymptomatic COVID-19 cases by the end of June 9, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Canada, US set to extend border closure - report

Washington and Ottawa introduced month-long restrictions in March and renewed them in April and May .
The ban , currently due to expire on June 21 , does not affect trade .
Canadian and US sources said although the governments had not yet taken a final decision , a further extension was highly likely .
`` It 's going to be a clean rollover '' on June 21 , said a US source who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation .
`` We will want to look at it again in July . ''
The US Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
Data show that while the outbreak is slowing across the 10 Canadian provinces , new cases show little sign of abating in Toronto and Montreal , the country 's two largest cities .
A majority of provinces have privately told Ottawa they are reluctant to resume non-essential travel , said a second source .
Several provinces have clamped down on travel within Canada , and a third Canadian source said these inter-provincial restrictions would make it hard to lift the ban on non-essential travel with the United States .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States , one of the world 's worst-hit nations .
Canada reported 7,835 deaths , and 96,244 coronavirus cases on June 9 .
A spokeswoman for Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland , who has overall responsibility for ties with the United States , said both sides agreed the ban had worked well .
Extending the measures would hurt Canadian airlines and the tourism industry .
Carriers , including Air Canada , have been among the worst hit as travel bans resulted in thousands of flight cancellations , forcing carriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a push from some sectors for reopening ( the border ) , like Air Canada , '' a Canadian government source said .
Asked about reopening the border , Air Canada said in a statement that governments around the world are relaxing restrictions and said it was working with tourism and industry groups to `` streamline and clarify rules around travel . ''

Washington and Ottawa introduced month-long restrictions in March and renewed them in April and May. The ban, currently due to expire on June 21, does not affect trade.
Canadian and US sources said although the governments had not yet taken a final decision, a further extension was highly likely.
"It's going to be a clean rollover" on June 21, said a US source who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. "We will want to look at it again in July."
The US Department of Homeland Security was not immediately available for comment.
Data show that while the outbreak is slowing across the 10 Canadian provinces, new cases show little sign of abating in Toronto and Montreal, the country's two largest cities.
A majority of provinces have privately told Ottawa they are reluctant to resume non-essential travel, said a second source.
Several provinces have clamped down on travel within Canada, and a third Canadian source said these inter-provincial restrictions would make it hard to lift the ban on non-essential travel with the United States.
More than 110,000 people have died of the coronavirus in the United States, one of the world's worst-hit nations. Canada reported 7,835 deaths, and 96,244 coronavirus cases on June 9.
A spokeswoman for Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who has overall responsibility for ties with the United States, said both sides agreed the ban had worked well.
Extending the measures would hurt Canadian airlines and the tourism industry.
Carriers, including Air Canada, have been among the worst hit as travel bans resulted in thousands of flight cancellations, forcing carriers to cut jobs and costs.
"There is a push from some sectors for reopening (the border), like Air Canada," a Canadian government source said.
Asked about reopening the border, Air Canada said in a statement that governments around the world are relaxing restrictions and said it was working with tourism and industry groups to "streamline and clarify rules around travel."
Canada and the United States are set to extend a ban on non-essential travel to late July as both countries seek to control the spread of the coronavirus, according to three sources familiar with the matter.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--A Palestinian caught trying to infiltrate Itamar with a knife

A Palestinian armed with a knife tried to infiltrate the West Bank settlement of Itamar, Walla reported.The event took place during a drill of the settlement's civilian militia unit. The suspect, who was identified by the militia, tried to attack them and afterwards threw away the knife.IDF troops later arrested the suspect.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--US CDC reports 17,598 new coronavirus cases, 550 new deaths

The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , caused by the new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ ET on June 8 , versus its previous report released on Monday .

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday reported 1,956,421 cases of new coronavirus, an increase of 17,598 cases from its previous count, and said the number of deaths rose by 550 to 110,925.
The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus, as of 4 pm ET on June 8, versus its previous report released on Monday.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--5.7 magnitude earthquake hits southern Iran

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck Fars province in southern Iran on Tuesday, the official IRNA news agency reported.There was no immediate information about possible casualties or damage from the quake, which hit near the town of Beyram.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Coronavirus update: 101 new cases since midnight

The total number of coronavirus cases in Israel increased by 101 since midnight, according to the Health Ministry, now reaching 18,180.There are now 2,722 active cases - up 79 since midnight.Some 31 patients are in serious condition, including 24 who are ventilated.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Likud and Blue and White agree on cannabis legislation

By ERIC BENDER/MAARIV,ANNA BARSKY/MAARIV

Both Blue and White and Likud have announced that they've reached an agreement regarding the legalization and decriminalization of cannabis."We've agreed on legislation that will organize legalization and decriminalization in a manner suited to the state and citizens of Israel," the two parties announced. "Likewise, it was decided to organize the medical cannabis reform so that it makes it easier for patients to get as well as make it easier to get a license to grow the plant."It was agreed upon that MK Ram Shefa and MK Sharren Haskel will promote the necessary legislation and will bring it before the Ministerial Committee on Legislation as soon as possible after all the necessary procedures have been completed."


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Burundi's outgoing president dies of heart attack

He was due to step down in August after his party 's candidate won elections last month , and had been president since 2005 .
He came to power at the end of Burundi 's 12-year civil war , which killed 300,000 people and was driven by similar ethnic tensions as the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda , where Hutu extremists slaughtered 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus .
Nkurunziza , a former leader of a Hutu rebel group , was elected by lawmakers after promising peace but oversaw a crackdown on political opponents and the media when he was re-elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a third time in 2015 , opponents said it violated a two-term constitutional limit .
His supporters beat , tortured and executed activists , suspected opponents and journalists .
After he foiled an attempted coup , more than 1,000 Burundians were killed in clashes with security forces and more than 400,000 fled abroad .
The economy was ruined .
Donors cut aid .
In 2018 , Burundians voted in a referendum that cleared the way for Nkurunziza to stay in power until 2034 .
The opposition said ruling party agents accompanied voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reuters they voted out of fear .
Nkurunziza and his wife began to make the divine origin of the president 's power a central tenet of their speeches .
In 2019 , he changed the country ’ s motto from ‘ Unity , Labor , Development ’ to ‘ God , King , Burundi ' .
A former sports teacher at a university , Nkurunziza was a lifelong fitness and football enthusiast and an evangelical Christian .
He lost his father , a civil servant , during mass killings of ethnic Hutus by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has frequently spoken about the misery his family suffered after his father 's death .
`` We became orphans and led a hard life , '' he said .
`` They ( the killers ) took all nice stuff from the house , which plunged the family into desolation . ''
During the civil war , he fought in the rebel group that became the ruling party , first becoming a minister in a transitional government in 2003 before parliament elected him president in 2005 .
A few relatively peaceful years followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was lifted in 2006 .
Burundian soldiers joined an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia .
The Paris Club group of creditors canceled Burundi 's debt in 2009 .
But after the foiled coup in 2015 , Nkurunziza became increasingly isolated .
He only left Burundi for a single day trip to neighboring Tanzania , which hosts more than 200,000 Burundian refugees .
Nkurunziza 's government rejected reports of its abuses by the United Nations and other international groups .
Burundi quit the International Criminal Court in 2017 , the first African nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it would investigate violence in the country .
In 2019 , declaring it had made sufficient progress in human rights , the government forced the United Nations to shut its local human rights office after 23 years .
Schoolgirls who defaced the president 's portrait were arrested .
The same year , a U.N. report documented abuses by the security forces and youth wing of the ruling party .
`` Bodies are regularly found in public places ... many people disappear , '' the report said , noting rape by ruling party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these rapes were committed at night in victims ’ homes , in front of their children . ''
After some Western governments suspended budget support to the government , Burundi forced all citizens to pay mandatory public `` contributions '' to state coffers from 2016 to mid 2019 .
The government blamed the economic crisis , which caused crippling shortages of medicine and fuel , on currency speculators and even donor governments .

Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, who has died of a heart attack aged 55, according to a statement released on Tuesday, oversaw a reign of torture, rape and murder by his security forces that drove hundreds of thousands of people into exile.
He was due to step down in August after his party's candidate won elections last month, and had been president since 2005.
He came to power at the end of Burundi's 12-year civil war, which killed 300,000 people and was driven by similar ethnic tensions as the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda, where Hutu extremists slaughtered 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Nkurunziza, a former leader of a Hutu rebel group, was elected by lawmakers after promising peace but oversaw a crackdown on political opponents and the media when he was re-elected five years later.
When he stood for a third time in 2015, opponents said it violated a two-term constitutional limit. His supporters beat, tortured and executed activists, suspected opponents and journalists.
After he foiled an attempted coup, more than 1,000 Burundians were killed in clashes with security forces and more than 400,000 fled abroad. The economy was ruined. Donors cut aid.
In 2018, Burundians voted in a referendum that cleared the way for Nkurunziza to stay in power until 2034. The opposition said ruling party agents accompanied voters into the booths. Many people told Reuters they voted out of fear.
Nkurunziza and his wife began to make the divine origin of the president's power a central tenet of their speeches. In 2019, he changed the country’s motto from ‘Unity, Labor, Development’ to ‘God, King, Burundi'.
FROM SPORTS COACH TO REBEL LEADER
A former sports teacher at a university, Nkurunziza was a lifelong fitness and football enthusiast and an evangelical Christian.
He lost his father, a civil servant, during mass killings of ethnic Hutus by the majority Tutsi army in 1972. He has frequently spoken about the misery his family suffered after his father's death.
"We became orphans and led a hard life," he said. "They (the killers) took all nice stuff from the house, which plunged the family into desolation."
During the civil war, he fought in the rebel group that became the ruling party, first becoming a minister in a transitional government in 2003 before parliament elected him president in 2005.
A few relatively peaceful years followed. A curfew in place since 1972 was lifted in 2006. Burundian soldiers joined an African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia. The Paris Club group of creditors canceled Burundi's debt in 2009.
ISOLATION
But after the foiled coup in 2015, Nkurunziza became increasingly isolated. He only left Burundi for a single day trip to neighboring Tanzania, which hosts more than 200,000 Burundian refugees.
Nkurunziza's government rejected reports of its abuses by the United Nations and other international groups.
Burundi quit the International Criminal Court in 2017, the first African nation to do so, after the court said it would investigate violence in the country.
In 2019, declaring it had made sufficient progress in human rights, the government forced the United Nations to shut its local human rights office after 23 years. Schoolgirls who defaced the president's portrait were arrested. The same year, a U.N. report documented abuses by the security forces and youth wing of the ruling party.
"Bodies are regularly found in public places ... many people disappear," the report said, noting rape by ruling party activists was common. "Some of these rapes were committed at night in victims’ homes, in front of their children."
After some Western governments suspended budget support to the government, Burundi forced all citizens to pay mandatory public "contributions" to state coffers from 2016 to mid 2019.
The government blamed the economic crisis, which caused crippling shortages of medicine and fuel, on currency speculators and even donor governments.
Three-quarters of the population live in poverty and life expectancy is around 57 years, according the World Bank, a decade lower than Rwanda.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Eiffel Tower to reopen June 25 – statement

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is set to reopen on June 25 after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--African migrant boat sinks off coast of Tunisia, killing at least 20

The bodies were found off the coast of Sfax on Tuesday , the official said .
A total of 53 @ @ @ @ @ the boat at the weekend aiming to reach Italy .
Coast Guard units and the @ @ @ @ @ other missing people .
Last year , 86 African migrants drowned after their boat capsized @ @ @ @ @ from Libya , in one of the worst such accidents in Tunisia .

At least 20 African migrants died when a boat carrying more than 50 people sank off Tunisia, an official said on Tuesday.
The bodies were found off the coast of Sfax on Tuesday, the official said. A total of 53 people had set out on the boat at the weekend aiming to reach Italy.
Coast Guard units and the army were searching for the other missing people.
Last year, 86 African migrants drowned after their boat capsized having set off for Europe from Libya, in one of the worst such accidents in Tunisia.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--Parent in Yehud tests positive for COVID-19, schools close

After a parent of children studying in several educational facilities in Yehud, in central Israel, the municipality decided to put all children in those facilities into isolation until results for the family's coronavirus tests come back."We remind everyone to keep the Health Ministry's guidelines: Put on masks when leaving the house, maintain personal hygiene and keep a social distance of 2 meters between people, as well as avoid public areas if any symptoms appear," the Yehud local government said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-09--UN expert reports widespread food shortages, 'starving' in North Korea

A United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm on Tuesday at what he called `` widespread food shortages and malnutrition @ @ @ @ @ which have been exacerbated by a nearly five-month border closure with China and measures against @ @ @ @ @ , UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People 's Republic of Korea @ @ @ @ @ the UN Security Council to `` reconsider sanctions '' on the isolated country so as @ @ @ @ @ food supplies .
`` There have been reports of an increase of homeless people in @ @ @ @ @ ( street children ) , and medicine prices have reportedly skyrocketed .
An increasing number @ @ @ @ @ a day , or eat only corn , and some are starving , '' he @ @ @ @ @ Elisabeth Byrs , spokeswoman of the U.N. 's World Food Programme ( WFP ) , @ @ @ @ @ that the humanitarian situation in North Korea `` remains bleak , '' with some 10 @ @ @ @ @ of the population , needing humanitarian aid .

A United Nations human rights expert voiced alarm on Tuesday at what he called "widespread food shortages and malnutrition" in North Korea, which have been exacerbated by a nearly five-month border closure with China and measures against COVID-19.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), urged the UN Security Council to "reconsider sanctions" on the isolated country so as to ensure the flow of food supplies.
"There have been reports of an increase of homeless people in large cities – including kotjebi (street children), and medicine prices have reportedly skyrocketed. An increasing number of families eat only twice a day, or eat only corn, and some are starving," he said in a statement.
Elisabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP), told a Geneva news briefing that the humanitarian situation in North Korea "remains bleak," with some 10 million, or 40% of the population, needing humanitarian aid.


jerusalempost--2020-06-10--Iran urges Russia, China to resist US push to extend arms embargo

US President Donald Trump 's administration has been taking a harder line with the United Nations to extend and strengthen @ @ @ @ @ warning that its lifting would let Tehran acquire weapons that could fuel conflicts in the @ @ @ @ @ are already angry , upset , and wanting to take this issue to the Security @ @ @ @ @ permanent members of the ( UN Security ) Council to stand up to America , @ @ @ @ @ said in a televised speech .
`` Particularly , we expect Russia and China to @ @ @ @ @ America will not succeed ... and we will increase our defense capabilities as we have @ @ @ @ @ sanctions . ''
Tehran and its rival Saudi Arabia , a close US ally , @ @ @ @ @ wars and political confrontations in the region for decades , from Iraq and Syria to @ @ @ @ @ veto-powers Russia and China have already signaled they are against re-imposing an arms embargo on @ @

Iran on Wednesday called on Russia and China to resist a push by Washington to extend a UN-imposed arms embargo due to expire in October under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with six powers.
US President Donald Trump's administration has been taking a harder line with the United Nations to extend and strengthen the embargo on Iran, warning that its lifting would let Tehran acquire weapons that could fuel conflicts in the Middle East.
"Americans are already angry, upset, and wanting to take this issue to the Security Council. We want four permanent members of the (UN Security) Council to stand up to America," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech.
"Particularly, we expect Russia and China to resist this US plot. America will not succeed ... and we will increase our defense capabilities as we have been doing so even under sanctions."
Tehran and its rival Saudi Arabia, a close US ally, have been involved in proxy wars and political confrontations in the region for decades, from Iraq and Syria to Bahrain and Yemen.
Council veto-powers Russia and China have already signaled they are against re-imposing an arms embargo on Iran.


jerusalempost--2020-06-10--Malaysia reports two new coronavirus cases, one new death

The health ministry also reported one new death , bringing the number of fatalities from the outbreak to 118 .

Malaysia on Wednesday reported two new coronavirus cases, the lowest since curbs on movement were imposed in mid-March, raising the total number of infections to 8,338.
The health ministry also reported one new death, bringing the number of fatalities from the outbreak to 118.
Malaysia began lifting most coronavirus restrictions on Wednesday, with schools set to reopen in stages from June 24.