World News Briefs -- June 3, 2020 (Evening Edition)

People attend a candlelight vigil ahead of the 31st anniversary of the crackdown of pro-democracy protests at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, after police rejects a mass annual vigil on public health grounds, in Hong Kong, China June 3, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Reuters: Candles to light up Hong Kong on fraught Tiananmen anniversary

HONG KONG/TAIPEI (Reuters) - Many people in Hong Kong plan to commemorate the bloody 1989 crackdown by Chinese troops in and around Tiananmen Square by lighting candles across the city on Thursday, circumventing a ban on the usual public gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The anniversary strikes an especially sensitive nerve in the semi-autonomous city this year after Beijing’s move last month to impose national security legislation in Hong Kong, which critics fear will crush freedoms in the financial hub.

It also comes as Chinese media and some Beijing officials have voiced support for protests against police brutality across the United States. The Tiananmen crackdown is not officially commemorated in mainland China, where the topic is taboo and any discussion heavily censored.

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MIDDLE EAST

Russia carries out first Syria airstrikes in three months.

Iran says coronavirus restrictions could return if second wave hits.

Virus on rise again in Iran with over 3,000 cases for third day.

Yemen aid operations at risk after fundraiser falls $1bn short.

Qatar announces easing of coronavirus restrictions.

Turkey: officers disperse anti-police brutality protest .

Israelis fear West Bank annexation will spark Palestinian uprising.

Half of Israelis support West Bank annexation, poll finds.

ASIA

Trump not considering sanctions on China's Xi over Hong Kong.

Tiananmen vigil: thousands of Hong Kong police officers mobilised for banned June 4 events.

Mike Pompeo meets with 1989 Tiananmen Square activists at US State Department.

Xi Jinping’s September meeting with EU leaders in Germany postponed due to coronavirus.

Wuhan tests 10 million people, finds few virus infections.

China sea security issues pushed Philippine U-turn on US troop pact.

Hong Kong leader accuses foreign critics of double standards.

Three terrorists killed, one Indian military person injured in ongoing encounter in Pulwama, Kashmir.

North Korea warns South Korea to stop defectors from scattering anti-North leaflets: KCNA.

Cyclone Nisarga lashing western India after unprecedented landfall.

AFRICA

Libya's GNA retakes Tripoli airport from Haftar's forces.

Warring parties resume ceasefire talks in Libya, UN says.

Egypt, UAE welcome resumption of Libya ceasefire talks.

18 militiamen killed by army in combat in northeast DR Congo. 16 dead in new eastern DR Congo massacre.

Sudan protesters rally one year after bloody crackdown.

Madagascar anti-lockdown protests flare after alleged police violence.

Lesotho ex-first lady arrested.

French court backs UN trial for Rwanda genocide suspect Kabuga.

SA court rules lockdown restrictions 'irrational'.

EUROPE

Paris protest turns violent in rally against deaths of black Frenchman and George Floyd.

Britain to change Hong Kong visa rules if China imposes security law.

Theresa May attacks Boris Johnson over Brexit and Covid quarantine plans.

Poland to hold presidential election on June 28, after delay due to Covid-19.

Germany unveils 130 billion euro stimulus package to kickstart virus-hit economy.

Kosovo legislators vote in new centre-right prime minister.

Kremlin defends holding July vote that could extend Putin's rule despite coronavirus.

Russia declares state of emergency after diesel spill in Siberia.

AMERICAS

Prosecutors charge 3 more officers in George Floyd’s death.

Nearly a dozen deaths tied to continuing unrest in US.

George Floyd death: Trump denies protests forced him into bunker.

Trump says inviting Russia to G7 'a question of common sense'.

Obama calls for police reforms, doesn't address Trump.

Rosenstein takes fire from Republicans in heated testimony.

Trump administration sanctions 4 companies for Venezuelan oil ties.

Venezuela's Maduro joins hands with Guaido in fight against virus.

California: rise in Covid-19 cases raises fears over reopening and protests.

Daily record toll puts Brazil deaths past 31,000.

Mexico reports new one-day high of 1,092 coronavirus deaths.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

U.N.: Thousands of Pakistanis fight in Afghanistan alongside the Taliban.

Islamic State in Somalia suffers setbacks despite uptick in claimed activity.

Burkina Faso’s food woes deepen as extremists expand reach.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Wall Street closes sharply higher on signs of economic rebound.

Trump administration to ban Chinese airlines entry to US.

Snapchat stops promoting Donald Trump's account due to 'racial violence'.

Weak demand pushing oil, gas toward 'terminal decline': report.

Cinema chain AMC warns it may not survive the pandemic.