England risks losing control of the coronavirus pandemic again because it is starting to lift its lockdown without a fully operational track and trace programme in place, three senior scientific advisers warned on Saturday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said England's lockdown measures will be eased cautiously from Monday, aided by a track and trace system that launched on Thursday.

The advisers warned, however, that the system was not yet in full operation and risked being overwhelmed by the around 8,000 new infections that are still occurring every day outside of hospitals and care homes.

John Edmunds, from the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine and a member of Britain's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the government was taking a risk.

"Track and trace was only launched the day before yesterday, so we can't be sure that that is working effectively yet and yet we're going ahead and making these changes anyway," he told Sky News. "I think that that is rather dangerous."

Edmunds' comments were echoed by two other SAGE members: Peter Horby, also the chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), and Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust.

One of the slowest countries to lock down, Britain is now one of the worst-hit by the pandemic, with more than 48,000 deaths and more than 270,000 people testing positive.

To try to contain the virus while also allowing the econony to recover, the test and trace system will ask contacts of people who test positive to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms. An app is not yet ready for the scheme.

Horby of the University of Oxford said there was still too much uncertainty about what would happen to the virus' reproduction rate -- commonly known as R -- if schools reopen and other activities resume.

He added that the track, trace and isolate system was not expected to be fully operational - with local teams working to stamp out clusters of cases - until the end of June.

"Returning to a situation where we've lost control again is far worse than a week or two of social measures," he told BBC Radio.

Government officials have repeatedly said they are following "the science" as they respond to the pandemic, but Edmunds said the decision to ease the lockdown from Monday was political.

"My frustration has been recently at least that they're pretending that they're not making a decision, that in fact it's us who are making the decision, and that's not really the case," he said. "They have to make the decision and clearly they have."

The prime minister's office said it had at all times been informed by the data and evidence. "This package of measures has been carefully designed so we can ease the burdens of lockdown while expecting to keep R below one."

The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own public health policy.

England risks losing control of the coronavirus pandemic again because it is starting to lift its lockdown without a fully operational track and trace programme in place, three senior scientific advisers warned on Saturday.

England risks losing control of the coronavirus pandemic again because it is starting to lift its lockdown without a fully operational track and trace programme in place, three senior scientific advisers warned on Saturday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said England's lockdown measures will be eased cautiously from Monday, aided by a track and trace system that launched on Thursday. The advisers warned, however, that the system was not yet in full operation and risked being overwhelmed by the around 8,000 new infections that are still occurring every day outside of hospitals and care homes. John Edmunds, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and a member of Britain's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the government was taking a risk. "Track and trace was only launched the day before yesterday, so we can't be sure that that is working effectively yet and yet we're going ahead and making these changes anyway," he told Sky News. "I think that that is rather dangerous." Edmunds' comments were echoed by two other SAGE members: Peter Horby, also the chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), and Jeremy Farrar, the director of the Wellcome Trust. One of the slowest countries to lock down, Britain is now one of the worst-hit by the pandemic, with more than 48,000 deaths and more than 270,000 people testing positive. To try to contain the virus while also allowing the econony to recover, the test and trace system will ask contacts of people who test positive to self-isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms. An app is not yet ready for the scheme. Horby of the University of Oxford said there was still too much uncertainty about what would happen to the virus' reproduction rate -- commonly known as R -- if schools reopen and other activities resume. He added that the track, trace and isolate system was not expected to be fully operational - with local teams working to stamp out clusters of cases - until the end of June. "Returning to a situation where we've lost control again is far worse than a week or two of social measures," he told BBC Radio. Government officials have repeatedly said they are following "the science" as they respond to the pandemic, but Edmunds said the decision to ease the lockdown from Monday was political. "My frustration has been recently at least that they're pretending that they're not making a decision, that in fact it's us who are making the decision, and that's not really the case," he said. "They have to make the decision and clearly they have." The prime minister's office said it had at all times been informed by the data and evidence. "This package of measures has been carefully designed so we can ease the burdens of lockdown while expecting to keep R below one." The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for their own public health policy.

England lockdown easing is premature, warns experts

Cemeteries in Mexico have braced for a surge in&nbsp;deaths due to contracting&nbsp;the deadly coronavirus as the country is&nbsp;preparing&nbsp;to reopen.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador&nbsp;says the pandemic has been tamed but experts, and those who must bury the dead, fear an alarming rise in cases.

Latin America’s number two economy registered its first Covid case in late February and has since recorded more than 9,000 deaths and 81,400 cases, although the government admits the true number is probably considerably higher.

One report this week found&nbsp;Mexico&nbsp;City had issued 8,000 more death certificates than usual between January and late May, suggesting a significantly higher death toll.

López Obrador, who was&nbsp;criticized for his initially dismissive attitude to the pandemic, has been bullish about Mexico’s response.

On 26 April, with 1,351 deaths and 14,677 infections, he claimed it had managed ''to tame''&nbsp;the coronavirus. But many are not so sure. A month after those claims, Mexico had suffered 9,044 deaths and 81,400 cases.

Before the coronavirus, the burial ground was open to the public, and the deceased were honoured by flower-carrying mourners and mariachis. Now the dead arrive in silence and alone.

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The Guadalajara graveyard, which&nbsp;has added 700 tombs&nbsp;for an anticipated wave of Covid deaths, has yet to see a major increase of victims – but Ruvalcaba said gravediggers had been advised to prepare. ''They’ve told us a more intense phase is coming,''&nbsp;he said.

<img alt="Workers build 700 graves at the Mezquitán Pantheon cemetery in preparation for possible coronavirus victims in Guadalajara" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0264a8dc-3650-4597-aa76-a879d3339705" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3300_0.jpg" /> 
Workers build 700 graves at the Mezquitán Pantheon cemetery in preparation for possible coronavirus victims in Guadalajara

Yet as Mexico’s daily death toll rises to become one of the highest in the world, a record 501 fatalities were reported on Friday alone, the country is simultaneously preparing to reopen and weathering a politically charged battle over the true scale of the crisis.
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Cemeteries in Mexico have braced for a surge in deaths due to contracting the deadly coronavirus as the country is preparing to reopen. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says the pandemic has been tamed but experts, and those who must bury the dead, fear an alarming rise in cases.

Cemeteries in Mexico have braced for a surge in deaths due to contracting the deadly coronavirus as the country is preparing to reopen. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says the pandemic has been tamed but experts, and those who must bury the dead, fear an alarming rise in cases. Latin America’s number two economy registered its first Covid case in late February and has since recorded more than 9,000 deaths and 81,400 cases, although the government admits the true number is probably considerably higher. One report this week found Mexico City had issued 8,000 more death certificates than usual between January and late May, suggesting a significantly higher death toll. López Obrador, who was criticized for his initially dismissive attitude to the pandemic, has been bullish about Mexico’s response. On 26 April, with 1,351 deaths and 14,677 infections, he claimed it had managed ''to tame'' the coronavirus. But many are not so sure. A month after those claims, Mexico had suffered 9,044 deaths and 81,400 cases. Before the coronavirus, the burial ground was open to the public, and the deceased were honoured by flower-carrying mourners and mariachis. Now the dead arrive in silence and alone. The Guadalajara graveyard, which has added 700 tombs for an anticipated wave of Covid deaths, has yet to see a major increase of victims – but Ruvalcaba said gravediggers had been advised to prepare. ''They’ve told us a more intense phase is coming,'' he said. Workers build 700 graves at the Mezquitán Pantheon cemetery in preparation for possible coronavirus victims in Guadalajara Yet as Mexico’s daily death toll rises to become one of the highest in the world, a record 501 fatalities were reported on Friday alone, the country is simultaneously preparing to reopen and weathering a politically charged battle over the true scale of the crisis.

Mexico's cemeteries brace for surge in coronavirus deaths as country readies to reopen

Two peacekeepers of the United Nations in Mali have died from the coronavirus, officials said Friday.

Out of the some 100,000 UN troops deployed on about 15 different missions around the world, these two are the first whose deaths were directly linked to the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, I also want to say that yesterday and today two of our military colleagues have passed away due to COVID-19," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, during a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York to honor the peacekeepers killed in conflict.

One was from Cambodia and the other from El Salvador, "both members of MINUSMA," the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, Guterres said.

The next-worst affected missions are in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), with 21 cases of infection and three recovered, and in Central African Republic, with 17 cases of infection and two recovered.

Other cases have been reported among peacekeepers in South Sudan, Libya, Israel and Darfur, the UN said.

In 2019, 83 soldiers, police officers and civilians in 39 different countries were killed during peacekeeping missions.

Including soldiers, police officers, civilians and all affiliated personnel, as of Friday there were a total of 137 cases of the coronavirus throughout the peacekeeping missions, with 53 recovered and the two dead, the UN said.

MINUSMA is the hardest-hit mission, with 90 cases of infection, 43 recovered and the two deaths.

Two peacekeepers of the United Nations in Mali have died from the coronavirus, officials said Friday. Out of the some 100,000 UN troops deployed on about 15 different missions around the world, these two are the first whose deaths were directly linked to the pandemic.

Two peacekeepers of the United Nations in Mali have died from the coronavirus, officials said Friday. Out of the some 100,000 UN troops deployed on about 15 different missions around the world, these two are the first whose deaths were directly linked to the pandemic. "Unfortunately, I also want to say that yesterday and today two of our military colleagues have passed away due to COVID-19," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, during a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York to honor the peacekeepers killed in conflict. One was from Cambodia and the other from El Salvador, "both members of MINUSMA," the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, Guterres said. The next-worst affected missions are in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), with 21 cases of infection and three recovered, and in Central African Republic, with 17 cases of infection and two recovered. Other cases have been reported among peacekeepers in South Sudan, Libya, Israel and Darfur, the UN said. In 2019, 83 soldiers, police officers and civilians in 39 different countries were killed during peacekeeping missions. Including soldiers, police officers, civilians and all affiliated personnel, as of Friday there were a total of 137 cases of the coronavirus throughout the peacekeeping missions, with 53 recovered and the two dead, the UN said. MINUSMA is the hardest-hit mission, with 90 cases of infection, 43 recovered and the two deaths.

First two UN peacekeepers die after contracting coronavirus

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top.

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A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters)

A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries.&nbsp;SpaceX&nbsp;did not&nbsp;respond to a request for comment.

Previously,&nbsp;SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacexs-crewed-mission-postponed-as-historic-launch-hit-by-bad-weather-301435">SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather</a>

Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable.

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A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from <a href="https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASASpaceflight</a> <a href="https://t.co/dqnQv1lqBV">pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV</a>
— Joey Roulette (@joroulette) <a href="https://twitter.com/joroulette/status/1266444972573818881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals.

SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award.

The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time.

A prototype of SpaceX’s upcoming heavy-lift rocket, Starship, exploded on Friday during ground tests in south Texas as Elon Musk’s space company pursued an aggressive development schedule to fly the launch vehicle for the first time. The testing explosion was unrelated to SpaceX’s upcoming launch of two Nasa astronauts from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center using a different rocket system, the Falcon 9 with the Crew Dragon capsule fixed on top. A prototype of SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft is seen in Boca Chia, Texas, in September. (Image courtesy: Reuters) A prototype vanished in an explosive fireball at SpaceX’s Boca Chica test site on Friday, as seen in a livestream recorded by the website Nasa Spaceflight. There was no immediate indication of injuries. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment. Previously, SpaceX's historic launch to International Space Station was postponed on May 28 due to the bad weather. The decision was taken 20 minutes before the launch. Also read: SpaceX's crewed mission postponed as historic launch hit by bad weather Starship, a rocket standing 394 feet tall, is designed to carry humans and 100 tons of cargo to the moon and Mars. It is the space company’s planned next-generation fully reusable launch vehicle, the center of Musk’s ambitions to make human space travel affordable. A Starship prototype just exploded in Boca Chica, Texas during static fire testing. SpaceX was granted an FAA license yesterday to conduct suborbital flights, not sure when those first test flights will happen. Video/live feed from @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/dqnQv1lqBV — Joey Roulette (@joroulette) May 29, 2020 × The south Texas facility sits beside a small neighborhood that SpaceX has been trying to buy up for testing space, but some residents have pushed back on the company’s offers and have accused Musk’s attorneys of unrealistically low property appraisals. SpaceX was among the three companies awarded a combined $1bn by Nasa last month to develop rocket systems capable of ferrying cargo and humans to the moon. SpaceX proposed Starship for the award. The FAA granted the space company a license Thursday to begin Starship’s first suborbital flight tests, though it was unclear when those tests would occur.

SpaceX's Starship rocket prototype explodes during test

Former Minneapolis police and the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, officer&nbsp;Derek Chauvin, who has been identified as the man who put his knee on&nbsp;George Floyd’s neck, has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death.

John Mark Harrington,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Minnesota&nbsp;department of public safety commissioner, announced the news shortly after a press conference about the Minneapolis protests ended.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-shouldnt-be-normal-in-2020-america-obama-speaks-out-on-floyds-death-301921">'This shouldn't be normal in 2020 America', Obama speaks out on Floyd's death</a>

Harrington did not offer any information about the specific charges filed against Chauvin, and it’s unclear whether the three other officers who were also fired after Floyd’s death will be arrested.

Senator&nbsp;Amy Klobuchar&nbsp;confirmed&nbsp;Chauvin&nbsp;has been arrested in connection to the death of&nbsp;Floyd&nbsp;and is in the custody of the&nbsp;Minnesota&nbsp;Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

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Police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and is in custody for the murder of George Floyd. The first step towards justice.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) <a href="https://twitter.com/amyklobuchar/status/1266417894256238593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Minnesota senator called Chauvin’s arrest ''the first step towards justice.''

Klobuchar has been criticized for not prosecuting police officers involved in fatal encounters while she was serving as Hennepin county attorney.

Floyd died after being apprehended by police Monday. A video that went viral shows an officer&nbsp;pinning his knee to Floyd's neck&nbsp;as he is on the ground, saying, "I can't breathe." The four officers involved have been fired, and investigations are ongoing. No charges have yet been announced.

His death in police custody has led to outrage across the nation and protests in many cities, including in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out over several nights this week.

Former Minneapolis police and the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, officer Derek Chauvin, who has been identified as the man who put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death.

Former Minneapolis police and the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, officer Derek Chauvin, who has been identified as the man who put his knee on George Floyd’s neck, has been arrested in connection to Floyd’s death. John Mark Harrington, the Minnesota department of public safety commissioner, announced the news shortly after a press conference about the Minneapolis protests ended. Also read: 'This shouldn't be normal in 2020 America', Obama speaks out on Floyd's death Harrington did not offer any information about the specific charges filed against Chauvin, and it’s unclear whether the three other officers who were also fired after Floyd’s death will be arrested. Senator Amy Klobuchar confirmed Chauvin has been arrested in connection to the death of Floyd and is in the custody of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Police officer Derek Chauvin has been arrested and is in custody for the murder of George Floyd. The first step towards justice. — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 29, 2020 × The Minnesota senator called Chauvin’s arrest ''the first step towards justice.'' Klobuchar has been criticized for not prosecuting police officers involved in fatal encounters while she was serving as Hennepin county attorney. Floyd died after being apprehended by police Monday. A video that went viral shows an officer pinning his knee to Floyd's neck as he is on the ground, saying, "I can't breathe." The four officers involved have been fired, and investigations are ongoing. No charges have yet been announced. His death in police custody has led to outrage across the nation and protests in many cities, including in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out over several nights this week.

Minneapolis police officer arrested in connection to Floyd's death

Former US president&nbsp;Barack Obama&nbsp;has issued a statement on the death of&nbsp;George Floyd,&nbsp;saying the country needed to create a new normal for Americans of colour.

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My statement on the death of George Floyd: <a href="https://t.co/Hg1k9JHT6R">pic.twitter.com/Hg1k9JHT6R</a>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1266400635429310466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Obama said that despite many Americans'&nbsp;desire to return to ''normal''&nbsp;amid the coronavirus pandemic, racial discrimination is “maddeningly” normal for people of colour.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-grips-minneapolis-for-the-third-consecutive-night-301846" hreflang="en">Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night</a>

''This shouldn’t be 'normal'&nbsp;in 2020 America,''&nbsp;Obama said. ''It can’t be 'normal.'''&nbsp;

In his statement, Obama referred to Floyd's death but also two other high-profile recent racial incidents in the US, one involving a black jogger who was shot dead by two white men in Georgia and a black man who had a confrontation with a white woman while bird-watching in a park in New York.

''If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better," he added.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/smokes-flames-and-destruction-protests-intensify-over-killing-in-minneapolis-us-301569">Smokes, flames, and destruction: Protests intensify over killing in Minneapolis, US</a>

The first African-American president of the United States also said that he&nbsp;shared the "anguish" of millions of Americans over the death of a black man killed by police in Minnesota.

The former president called on Americans to&nbsp;come together to create a ''new normal''&nbsp;in order to root out institutional racism.

Floyd died after being apprehended by police Monday. A video that went viral shows an officer&nbsp;pinning his knee to Floyd's neck&nbsp;as he is on the ground, saying, "I can't breathe." The four officers involved have been fired, and investigations are ongoing. No charges have yet been announced.

His death in police custody has led to outrage across the nation and protests in many cities, including in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out over several nights this week.

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Former US president Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, saying the country needed to create a new normal for Americans of colour. My statement on the death of George Floyd: pic.

Former US president Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of George Floyd, saying the country needed to create a new normal for Americans of colour. My statement on the death of George Floyd: pic.twitter.com/Hg1k9JHT6R — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 29, 2020 × Obama said that despite many Americans' desire to return to ''normal'' amid the coronavirus pandemic, racial discrimination is “maddeningly” normal for people of colour. Also read: Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night ''This shouldn’t be 'normal' in 2020 America,'' Obama said. ''It can’t be 'normal.''' In his statement, Obama referred to Floyd's death but also two other high-profile recent racial incidents in the US, one involving a black jogger who was shot dead by two white men in Georgia and a black man who had a confrontation with a white woman while bird-watching in a park in New York. ''If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better," he added. Also see: Smokes, flames, and destruction: Protests intensify over killing in Minneapolis, US The first African-American president of the United States also said that he shared the "anguish" of millions of Americans over the death of a black man killed by police in Minnesota. The former president called on Americans to come together to create a ''new normal'' in order to root out institutional racism. Floyd died after being apprehended by police Monday. A video that went viral shows an officer pinning his knee to Floyd's neck as he is on the ground, saying, "I can't breathe." The four officers involved have been fired, and investigations are ongoing. No charges have yet been announced. His death in police custody has led to outrage across the nation and protests in many cities, including in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out over several nights this week.

'This shouldn't be normal in 2020 America', Obama speaks out on Floyd's death

Russian police arrested more than 30 people in central Moscow on Friday on the second day that peaceful opposition protesters were detained during a city-wide lockdown.

The new arrests came despite warnings from rights organisations such as Amnesty International and the Council of Europe that Moscow should not be using the coronavirus lockdown as a pretext to muzzle activists.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-records-highest-coronavirus-death-toll-in-24-hours-301813" hreflang="en">Russia records highest coronavirus death toll in 24 hours</a>

At least 35 people including popular journalists and municipal lawmakers were detained near the Moscow police headquarters, said OVD-Info, a website which tracks detentions at political protests.

Municipal deputy Yulia Galyamina posted on Facebook a picture of herself at a police station with the word "Freedom" scribbled on her surgical mask.&nbsp;

Since Thursday, protesters have been staging one-person pickets outside the Moscow police headquarters in response to the sentencing of prominent opposition activist and journalist Ilya Azar to 15 days in jail.

Russian police arrested more than 30 people in central Moscow on Friday on the second day that peaceful opposition protesters were detained during a city-wide lockdown.

Russian police arrested more than 30 people in central Moscow on Friday on the second day that peaceful opposition protesters were detained during a city-wide lockdown. The new arrests came despite warnings from rights organisations such as Amnesty International and the Council of Europe that Moscow should not be using the coronavirus lockdown as a pretext to muzzle activists. Also read: Russia records highest coronavirus death toll in 24 hours At least 35 people including popular journalists and municipal lawmakers were detained near the Moscow police headquarters, said OVD-Info, a website which tracks detentions at political protests. Municipal deputy Yulia Galyamina posted on Facebook a picture of herself at a police station with the word "Freedom" scribbled on her surgical mask. Since Thursday, protesters have been staging one-person pickets outside the Moscow police headquarters in response to the sentencing of prominent opposition activist and journalist Ilya Azar to 15 days in jail.

Over 30 detained by police at Moscow opposition protest

Earthquake tremors were felt in parts of Delhi and NCR for around eight to ten seconds around&nbsp;at 9.08&nbsp;pm on Friday,&nbsp;prompting panic-stricken people to rush out of their homes.&nbsp;

The magnitude is measured to be 4.6&nbsp;on the Richter Scale, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS).&nbsp;

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 on the Richter Scale hit 16 km ESE of Rohtak in Haryana at 21:08 hours today: National Center for Seismology (NCS) <a href="https://t.co/KxCMw8I680">https://t.co/KxCMw8I680</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1266395154304217088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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According to the website of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicentre of the medium-intensity earthquake was&nbsp;16 kilometers ESE of Rohtak in Haryana and its&nbsp;depth was 3.3 km beneath the ground.

No casualties or damage to properties have been reported so far.

Previously, an earthquake of magnitude&nbsp;2.2 had&nbsp;had struck the national capital on May 15.

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Earthquake tremors were felt in parts of Delhi and NCR for around eight to ten seconds around at 9.08 pm on Friday, prompting panic-stricken people to rush out of their homes.

Earthquake tremors were felt in parts of Delhi and NCR for around eight to ten seconds around at 9.08 pm on Friday, prompting panic-stricken people to rush out of their homes. The magnitude is measured to be 4.6 on the Richter Scale, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.6 on the Richter Scale hit 16 km ESE of Rohtak in Haryana at 21:08 hours today: National Center for Seismology (NCS) https://t.co/KxCMw8I680 — ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2020 × According to the website of the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the epicentre of the medium-intensity earthquake was 16 kilometers ESE of Rohtak in Haryana and its depth was 3.3 km beneath the ground. No casualties or damage to properties have been reported so far. Previously, an earthquake of magnitude 2.2 had had struck the national capital on May 15.

Earthquake with magnitude 4.6 hits Delhi-NCR region

After Trump’s tweet was marked by Twitter on Friday, the White House doubled down, more or less daring Twitter to block another tweet.

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“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” <a href="https://t.co/GDwAydcAOw">https://t.co/GDwAydcAOw</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1266342941649506304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this week, Twitter&nbsp;appended a fact check&nbsp;to one of Trump’s tweets about mail-in voting.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I can’t stand back &amp; watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard &amp; get the job done right.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266231100172615680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Twitter didn’t block Trump’s tweet, but covered it with a warning and made it ineligible for retweets or responses.

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We have placed a public interest notice on this Tweet from <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldtrump</a>. <a href="https://t.co/6RHX56G2zt">https://t.co/6RHX56G2zt</a>
— Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) <a href="https://twitter.com/TwitterComms/status/1266267446979129345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump accused Twitter of ''interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election''&nbsp;and insisting ''as president, I will not allow this to happen.''

His campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said Twitter’s ''clear political bias''&nbsp;had led the campaign to pull ''all our advertising from Twitter months ago.''

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Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make.
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1265837138114830336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Trump after sharply criticising Twitter for fact-checking his tweet&nbsp;signed an executive order that intended to limit the freedom of tech organisations over the content posted on their mediums.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-says-ceo-dorsey-was-informed-in-advance-of-decision-to-hide-trump-tweet-301828" hreflang="en">Twitter says CEO Dorsey was informed in advance of decision to tag Trump tweet</a>

As he told the press on Thursday, he would prefer to delete his Twitter profile and close the company entirely; without that power, he requested that the FCC adjust Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from liability for what their users post online.

On Friday morning, the company went further, blocking one of his tweets calling for the shooting of protestors in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out in the wake of the police murder of an unarmed, unthreatening black man named George Floyd.&nbsp;

It has taken&nbsp;Twitter three and a half years to take any action against Trump’s incendiary tweets from the White House.

After Trump’s tweet was marked by Twitter on Friday, the White House doubled down, more or less daring Twitter to block another tweet. “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen.

After Trump’s tweet was marked by Twitter on Friday, the White House doubled down, more or less daring Twitter to block another tweet. “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” https://t.co/GDwAydcAOw — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 29, 2020 × Earlier this week, Twitter appended a fact check to one of Trump’s tweets about mail-in voting. I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020 × Twitter didn’t block Trump’s tweet, but covered it with a warning and made it ineligible for retweets or responses. We have placed a public interest notice on this Tweet from @realdonaldtrump. https://t.co/6RHX56G2zt — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) May 29, 2020 × Trump accused Twitter of ''interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election'' and insisting ''as president, I will not allow this to happen.'' His campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said Twitter’s ''clear political bias'' had led the campaign to pull ''all our advertising from Twitter months ago.'' Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020 × Meanwhile, Trump after sharply criticising Twitter for fact-checking his tweet signed an executive order that intended to limit the freedom of tech organisations over the content posted on their mediums. Also read: Twitter says CEO Dorsey was informed in advance of decision to tag Trump tweet As he told the press on Thursday, he would prefer to delete his Twitter profile and close the company entirely; without that power, he requested that the FCC adjust Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from liability for what their users post online. On Friday morning, the company went further, blocking one of his tweets calling for the shooting of protestors in Minneapolis, where violence has broken out in the wake of the police murder of an unarmed, unthreatening black man named George Floyd. It has taken Twitter three and a half years to take any action against Trump’s incendiary tweets from the White House.

White House doubles down & dares Twitter to block another Trump's tweet

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-threatens-uk-with-countermeasures-over-easing-passport-rules-for-hong-kong-citizens-301852" hreflang="en">China threatens UK over easing passport rules for Hong Kong citizens</a>

China said today it reserves the right to take "corresponding countermeasures" after the UK government said it could offer Hong Kongers&nbsp;British&nbsp;citizenship if Beijing goes ahead with the national security law. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-threatens-uk-with-countermeasures-over-easing-passport-rules-for-hong-kong-citizens-301852">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/effective-track-and-trace-system-to-prevent-second-covid-19-wave-un-301842">Effective track-and-trace system to prevent second COVID-19 wave: UN</a>

An effective track-and-trace system will&nbsp;prevent second peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, save&nbsp;lives, and can&nbsp;reduce the number of working hours lost to illness by as much as 50 per cent, according to a major global study. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/effective-track-and-trace-system-to-prevent-second-covid-19-wave-un-301842">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reports-highest-surge-in-covid-19-cases-in-nearly-two-months-301871" hreflang="en">Iran reports highest surge in COVID-19 cases in nearly two months</a>

Iran on Friday announced its highest number of new coronavirus infections in nearly two months and warned the Middle East's deadliest outbreak was worsening in some regions. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-reports-highest-surge-in-covid-19-cases-in-nearly-two-months-301871">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-records-highest-coronavirus-death-toll-in-24-hours-301813" hreflang="en">Russia records highest coronavirus death toll in 24 hours</a>

Russia on Friday recorded 232 deaths due to&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;even as President Putin prepares for World War-II celebrations in Moscow on June 24. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-records-highest-coronavirus-death-toll-in-24-hours-301813">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-coronavirus-cases-near-58-million-death-toll-rises-to-360412-301755" hreflang="en">Global coronavirus cases near 5.8 million, death toll rises to &nbsp;360,412</a>

Around 5.8 million cases of the new coronavirus have been officially declared in the world, more than two-thirds of them in Europe and the United States, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-coronavirus-cases-near-58-million-death-toll-rises-to-360412-301755">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-seeks-to-import-anti-viral-remdesivir-as-new-coronavirus-cases-emerge-301806" hreflang="en">South Korea seeks to import anti-viral remdesivir as new coronavirus cases emerge</a>

South Korean health authorities said on Friday they would request imports of Gilead Sciences Inc`s anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19, as new outbreaks of the disease flare as social distancing restrictions are eased. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-seeks-to-import-anti-viral-remdesivir-as-new-coronavirus-cases-emerge-301806">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-grips-minneapolis-for-the-third-consecutive-night-301846">Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night</a>

A third night of vandalism gripped Minneapolis as people continued to protest over the death of an unarmed black man after a white police officer knelt on his neck as he lay on the ground following an arrest. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-grips-minneapolis-for-the-third-consecutive-night-301846">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-attaches-disclaimer-to-trumps-minneapolis-tweet-for-glorifying-violence-301765" hreflang="en">Twitter attaches disclaimer to Trump's Minneapolis tweet for 'glorifying violence'</a>

Twitter on Friday said that one of US President Donald Trump's tweets on Minneapolis protests had breached its rules about "glorifying violence." <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-attaches-disclaimer-to-trumps-minneapolis-tweet-for-glorifying-violence-301765">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beijing-rejects-trumps-offer-to-mediate-in-india-china-border-standoff-301794">Beijing rejects Trump's offer to mediate in India-China border standoff</a>

Beijing has rejected US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate or arbitrate between India and China to end their current border standoff. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beijing-rejects-trumps-offer-to-mediate-in-india-china-border-standoff-301794">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-court-orders-release-of-queens-letters-over-former-pm-whitlams-sacking-301879" hreflang="en">Australian court orders release of Queen's letters over former PM sacking</a>

Australia's top court has ordered the release of Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence about the 1975 sacking of democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, which palace allies had battled to keep secret. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-court-orders-release-of-queens-letters-over-former-pm-whitlams-sacking-301879">Read more</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

China threatens UK over easing passport rules for Hong Kong citizens China said today it reserves the right to take "corresponding countermeasures" after the UK government said it could offer Hong Kongers British citizenship if Beijing goes ahead with the national security law.

China threatens UK over easing passport rules for Hong Kong citizens China said today it reserves the right to take "corresponding countermeasures" after the UK government said it could offer Hong Kongers British citizenship if Beijing goes ahead with the national security law. Read more Effective track-and-trace system to prevent second COVID-19 wave: UN An effective track-and-trace system will prevent second peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, save lives, and can reduce the number of working hours lost to illness by as much as 50 per cent, according to a major global study. Read more Iran reports highest surge in COVID-19 cases in nearly two months Iran on Friday announced its highest number of new coronavirus infections in nearly two months and warned the Middle East's deadliest outbreak was worsening in some regions. Read more Russia records highest coronavirus death toll in 24 hours Russia on Friday recorded 232 deaths due to coronavirus even as President Putin prepares for World War-II celebrations in Moscow on June 24. Read more Global coronavirus cases near 5.8 million, death toll rises to 360,412 Around 5.8 million cases of the new coronavirus have been officially declared in the world, more than two-thirds of them in Europe and the United States, according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Read more South Korea seeks to import anti-viral remdesivir as new coronavirus cases emerge South Korean health authorities said on Friday they would request imports of Gilead Sciences Inc`s anti-viral drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19, as new outbreaks of the disease flare as social distancing restrictions are eased. Read more Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night A third night of vandalism gripped Minneapolis as people continued to protest over the death of an unarmed black man after a white police officer knelt on his neck as he lay on the ground following an arrest. Read more Twitter attaches disclaimer to Trump's Minneapolis tweet for 'glorifying violence' Twitter on Friday said that one of US President Donald Trump's tweets on Minneapolis protests had breached its rules about "glorifying violence." Read more Beijing rejects Trump's offer to mediate in India-China border standoff Beijing has rejected US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate or arbitrate between India and China to end their current border standoff. Read more Australian court orders release of Queen's letters over former PM sacking Australia's top court has ordered the release of Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence about the 1975 sacking of democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, which palace allies had battled to keep secret. Read more

Top 10 world news today: China warns UK, global COVID-19 cases and more

After India, Japanese Air Force pays tribute to medical workers

Australia's top court has ordered the release of Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence about the 1975 sacking of democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, which palace allies had battled to keep secret.

The country's high court said letters between the British monarch and her Australian representative, governor-general John Kerr, over the affair were public record.

<img alt="Queen Elizabeth II and Australian governor general Sir John Kerr in 1977. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="be0f316b-6339-4f73-9069-01188a73de33" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/download%20%283%29.jpg" /> 
Queen Elizabeth II and Australian governor general Sir John Kerr in 1977

Kerr had sacked Whitlam, the popular leader of the centre-left labor party, three years after his election, causing a deep constitutional crisis that still scars Australian politics.

The reasons for his dismissal are still fiercely argued, with allegations of british and even american efforts to smother Whitlam's reformist agenda.

The historian Jenny Hocking, who won the landmark case,&nbsp;s now calling on the National Archives of Australia to immediately release the 211 letters, saying the public deserves to know the full history of the greatest political and constitutional crisis in Australia’s history.

Australia's top court has ordered the release of Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence about the 1975 sacking of democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, which palace allies had battled to keep secret.

Australia's top court has ordered the release of Queen Elizabeth II's correspondence about the 1975 sacking of democratically elected Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, which palace allies had battled to keep secret. The country's high court said letters between the British monarch and her Australian representative, governor-general John Kerr, over the affair were public record. Queen Elizabeth II and Australian governor general Sir John Kerr in 1977 Kerr had sacked Whitlam, the popular leader of the centre-left labor party, three years after his election, causing a deep constitutional crisis that still scars Australian politics. The reasons for his dismissal are still fiercely argued, with allegations of british and even american efforts to smother Whitlam's reformist agenda. The historian Jenny Hocking, who won the landmark case, s now calling on the National Archives of Australia to immediately release the 211 letters, saying the public deserves to know the full history of the greatest political and constitutional crisis in Australia’s history.

Australian court orders release of Queen's letters over former PM Whitlam's sacking

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