jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Malaysia confirms first citizen infected with virus, total cases now 10

They said the 41-year-old Malaysian had travelled to Singapore for a meeting last month with colleagues from China - including @ @ @ @ @ epicentre of the epidemic .
But he only showed symptoms on Jan. 29 , nearly @ @ @ @ @ to Malaysia .
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said lab results on Feb. 3 confirmed that @ @ @ @ @ a 63-year-old man from Wuhan who had been under observation , had contracted the virus @

Malaysian health authorities on Tuesday confirmed the first citizen to be infected with the new coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 10.
They said the 41-year-old Malaysian had travelled to Singapore for a meeting last month with colleagues from China - including one from Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic. But he only showed symptoms on Jan. 29, nearly a week after he returned to Malaysia.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said lab results on Feb. 3 confirmed that the man, along with a 63-year-old man from Wuhan who had been under observation, had contracted the virus.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Macau to suspend casino operations for 2 weeks to curb spread of virus

The announcement by Macau 's chief executive Ho Iat Seng came as the former Portuguese colony reported 10 confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ restrictions on movements in and out of the Chinese territory .
Residents have been instructed @ @ @ @ @ around the city and been advised to stay home as much as possible .

Macau, the world's biggest gambling hub, said on Tuesday it had asked all casino operators to suspend operations for two weeks to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
The announcement by Macau's chief executive Ho Iat Seng came as the former Portuguese colony reported 10 confirmed cases of the virus and tight restrictions on movements in and out of the Chinese territory.
Residents have been instructed to wear masks when traveling around the city and been advised to stay home as much as possible.
Ho said he would be speaking to casino owners to discuss the closures. No immediate details were given as to when the suspension would begin.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--South Korean woman tests positive for coronavirus after Thailand visit

The 42-year-old , identified only as Patient 16 , flew back to South Korea on Jan. 19 after traveling in @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) said in a statement .
Treated since @ @ @ @ @ from Jan 25 , she did not improve until Sunday , the KCDC added , @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , following checks at Chonnam National University Hospital .

A South Korean woman has tested positive for coronavirus after visiting Thailand, South Korean officials said on Tuesday, the first foreign tourist reported to have been infected after a visit to the southeast Asian nation.
The 42-year-old, identified only as Patient 16, flew back to South Korea on Jan. 19 after traveling in Thailand, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said in a statement.
Treated since developing chills and other symptoms from Jan 25, she did not improve until Sunday, the KCDC added, and was confirmed positive on Tuesday, following checks at Chonnam National University Hospital.
The statement did not explicitly rule out a visit to China, however.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Taiwan calls China 'vile' for restricting island's access to WHO

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Taiwan's foreign ministry said on Tuesday China is "vile" for restricting the island's access to WHO during the coronavirus outbreak, adding to tensions with Beijing over the growing health crisis.China, where the outbreak began, said on Monday that it had shared full information on the virus with authorities in Taiwan, where there have been 10 confirmed cases, and that channels of communication were "unblocked".


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Kenya's former president Daniel Arap Moi dies - Citizen TV

He came to power in 1978 , upon the death of President Jomo Kenyatta , having been vice-president until then @

Former Kenyan president Daniel arap Moi has died, broadcaster Citizen Television said on Tuesday.
He came to power in 1978, upon the death of President Jomo Kenyatta, having been vice-president until then.
Diplomats said an attempted coup four years later transformed him into a tough autocrat from a cautious, insecure leader.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Japan quarantines cruise ship after coronavirus case found aboard

Japanese officials began screening more than 3,700 passengers and crew on a cruise ship quarantined off the port of Yokohama near Tokyo on Tuesday after a Hong Kong man who sailed on the vessel last month tested positive for coronavirus.The 80-year-old man flew to Japan and boarded the ship, the Diamond Princess, run by Carnival Japan Inc, in Yokohama on Jan. 20 and disembarked in Hong Kong on Jan. 25, the company said.Photographs and video posted on Twitter by a passenger with the handle @daxa_tw showed health workers in full-length plastic gowns with white caps and face masks walking down a deserted corridor as well as views of empty lounges and a deserted deck.Guests were asked to stay in their rooms to await screening. "This could take some time, but it is necessary so we ask for your understanding and cooperation," an announcement said.Japan was also preparing to expand the scope of its screening for the virus, and test criteria after initial tests failed to detect the virus in some people who were later found to be infected, Health Minister Katsunobu Kato told reporters.Opposition parties and some experts have criticized the government for responding too slowly to the risks posed by the virus spreading in China and elsewhere.Chinese make up 30% of all tourists traveling to Japan and nearly 40% of the total amount foreign visitors spent last year, according to an industry survey.Japan has 20 confirmed coronavirus cases, of these 17 people have been in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the epidemic began.Japan on Saturday began refusing entry to foreigners who have been in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located, in the past 14 days as well as people with passports issued in Hubei province. Suga said that as of Feb. 3, eight foreigners had been barred from entering Japan.Hiroshi Nishiura, a professor at Japan's Hokkaido University specializing in computer modeling of infectious diseases, said it would be hard to control the virus's spread just by isolating cases because of the high rate of asymptomatic transmission."The ongoing policy of the Japanese government is to expect containment. Of course, screening or prohibiting entry of people from Wuhan has very limited effectiveness, considering that the epidemic is growing in other cities," he told a news conference.Some countries including the United States and Australia have denied entry to all foreign nationals traveling from China.Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he believed Japan's current restrictions on entry were appropriate, when asked at a news conference.Carnival Japan, a unit of British-American cruise operator Carnival Corp, confirmed that the turnaround of the ship had been delayed by about 24 hours for authorities to review the health of all 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew on board.Once everyone's health was checked, those with fevers or who felt unwell would be tested, after which authorities would decide whether to let people leave the ship, Suga said.Asked if the epidemic would affect a visit by Chinese leader Xi Jinping expected to take place in April, Suga said preparations for the visit were proceeding as planned.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--China postpones high-level business forum amid virus outbreak

China has postponed a high-level business forum that is usually held in late March amid an outbreak of the new coronavirus that has killed more than 420 people.China Development Forum, which is hosted by a foundation under the State Council, has delayed this year's meeting until further notice, a media representative of the forum told Reuters on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Iowa caucus hampered by delays and uncertainty over results

`` We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results , '' said Mandy McClure , Iowa Democratic Party communication director , in a statement .
`` In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results , we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure we have the confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report . ''
She noted that the delay was simply a reporting issue and that it `` did not go down , and this is not a hack or intrusion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sound and will simply take time to further report the results . ''
With no clear results , all candidates delivered unusual speeches on Monday night , claiming achievements across the state without any numbers to back their claims .
Pete Buttigieg , the previous mayor of South Bend , Indiana , delivered a victory speech , saying that `` We do n't know all the results .
But by all indications , we are going to New Hampshire victorious . ''
The atmosphere in Buttigieg 's headquarters was festive on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post that they are convinced that he will be declared as a winner once the results would become public .
`` He got the most delegates in my precinct , '' Chris Sidwell of Urbana , Iowa , told the Post .
`` He actually tied with Amy Klobuchar , and there was a coin toss , so Pete won an extra delegate . ''
She added the delay in releasing the results `` is certainly disappointing , but I am confident that they 'll work it out . ''
Earlier on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in three different areas of the local Roosevelt High School : the cafeteria and two separate gyms .
Des Moines - The Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to `` quality checks , '' causing frustration to attendees who entered their party 's caucuses on Monday with one major goal : defeating President Donald Trump in November 's election .
`` We found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results , '' said Mandy McClure , Iowa Democratic Party communication director , in a statement .
`` In addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure we have the confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report .
`` She noted that the delay was simply a reporting issue and that it `` did not go down , and this is not a hack or intrusion .
The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results .
`` With no clear results , all candidates delivered unusual speeches on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state without any numbers to back their claims .
Pete Buttigieg , the previous mayor of South Bend , Indiana , delivered a victory speech , saying that `` We do n't know all the results .
But by all indications , we are going to New Hampshire victorious .
`` The atmosphere in Buttigieg 's headquarters was festive on Monday night , and attendees told The Jerusalem Post that they are convinced that he will be declared as a winner once the results would become public .
`` He got the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sidwell of Urbana , Iowa , told the Post .
`` He actually tied with Amy Klobuchar , and there was a coin toss , so Pete won an extra delegate . ''
She added the delay in releasing the results `` is certainly disappointing , but I am confident that they 'll work it out .
`` Earlier on Monday , some 1,500 people attended the caucus in three different areas of the local Roosevelt High School : the cafeteria and two separate gyms .
While the big gym drew most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cafeteria offered cookies and water to the supporters of each group .
As the people waiting for the caucus to begin , Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts made a surprise visit to the high school .
After taking dozens of selfies with her supporters , she addressed the audience : `` I am here because I know how to fight and I know how to win , '' she said .
`` We need someone who is going to inspire people .
“ We have an opportunity to build a party , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one behind , ” she continued .
“ 2020 is our moment in history to make this the America of our best values – to dream big , fight hard and win . ''
KATHY ANDERSON , a Des Moines resident , cheered Warren on but told The Jerusalem Post that she came to the caucus for Amy Klobuchar .
Like Anderson , Sue Harris supported Klobuchar as well , citing her pro-Israel positions .
Harris , a member of Tifereth Israel synagogue , told the Post that the Minnesota senator is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
`` I 'm disturbed a little bit about Warren and Sanders , '' she told the Post .
`` I think there are a lot of people in their camp who are very critical of Israel and do n't know all the positives about Israel .
[ They ] do n't know all of the work that the Israelis are doing towards peace with the Palestinians , and there are some who do n't even believe in the existence of the State of Israel , so I 'm worried about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I like Klobuchar is that she has a very solid record on Israel , '' Harris continued .
`` She has a lot of energy .
She 's also very good at listening to everybody .
She cares about everybody no matter what your political orientation is or other orientation .
There are other candidates who will just end up facilitating more division in the country .
And I think we 'll swing from Left to Right and Reft to Light , and people arguing too much .
`` I really want there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to the Right , '' she said .
`` I want people to come together .
I want Shalom Bait [ peace at home ] – that 's what I want . ''
`` She 's intelligent ; I feel she can beat Trump , ” Anderson said .
“ She 's a woman , and it 's time for a woman .
Men have been in charge and they have n't done so well , and now it 's time for a woman.
” Like Anderson , Sue Harris supported Klobuchar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Harris , a member of Tifereth Israel synagogue , told the Post that the Minnesota senator is the only one who could bring people together .
`` I 'm disturbed a little bit about Warren and Sanders , '' she told the Post .
`` I think there are a lot of people in their camp who are very critical of Israel and do n't know all the positives about Israel .
[ They ] do n't know all of the work that the Israelis are doing towards peace with the Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't even believe in the existence of the State of Israel , so I 'm worried about that .
`` `` One of the reasons I like Klobuchar is that she has a very solid record on Israel , '' Harris continued .
`` She has a lot of energy .
She 's also very good at listening to everybody .
She cares about everybody no matter what your political orientation is or other orientation .
There are other candidates who will just end up facilitating more division in the country .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Right and Reft to Light , and people arguing too much .
`` I really want there to be not to the Left , not to the Right , '' she said .
`` I want people to come together .
I want Shalom Bait [ peace at home ] – that 's what I want . ''
Tyler Burrell , another Iowan , was standing with a small group of Andrew Yang supporters , who he admitted might not be a viable candidate .
Yet , he said , `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm just going to wait it out .
If all my people leave , then I 'll follow them .
But right now , I 'm just going to wait it out . ''
At the end of the day , Warren 's efforts paid off , and she finished in first place at the precinct , while former vice president Joe Biden came in fifth and was not a viable candidate .
Most of his supporters left the place shortly after it was announced that he did not cross the threshold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a financial services company in Des Moines , told the Post that he was surprised and disappointed to see that Biden did not receive enough support .
`` I was a little surprised , '' he said .
`` I 'll be curious to see how he performs in other precincts here in Des Moines .
It is a little bit [ disappointing ] , but you know , at the end of the day , it 's a strong ticket across the bar .
I could have caucused for pretty much any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of right now , he could still be viable after the second round .
My initial thought is that it 's not indicative of anything . ''
US President Donald Trump mocked the delay in results on Tuesday , releasing a statement saying that `` Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess of their own creation with the sloppiest train wreck in history . ''
`` It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process .
And these are the people who want to run our entire health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record performance in the well-run GOP Iowa caucuses with a record turnout for an incumbent , '' his campaign manager , Brad Parscale , said in a statement .
At the end of the day , Warren 's efforts paid off , and she finished in first place at the precinct , while former vice president Joe Biden came in fifth and was not a viable candidate .
Most of his supporters left the place shortly after it was announced that he did not cross the threshold.Andrew Perry , who works for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the Post that he was surprised and disappointed to see that Biden did not receive enough support .
`` I was a little surprised , '' he said .
`` I 'll be curious to see how he performs in other precincts here in Des Moines .
It is a little bit [ disappointing ] , but you know , at the end of the day , it 's a strong ticket across the bar .
I could have caucused for pretty much any of the candidates here – and as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be viable after the second round .
My initial thought is that it 's not indicative of anything .
`` US President Donald Trump mocked the delay in results on Tuesday , releasing a statement saying that `` Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess of their own creation with the sloppiest train wreck in history .
`` `` It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process .
And these are the people who want to run our entire health care system ?
Tonight , President Trump posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa caucuses with a record turnout for an incumbent , '' his campaign manager , Brad Parscale , said in a statement .
HERE ARE some highlights from the entrance poll based on interviews with 1,512 Iowa Democrats as they headed into the caucuses that kick off what could be a months-long nominating fight .
The results will be updated as more interviews are collected .
-- 62 % of caucus-goers said they were looking for a Democratic nominee who they think can beat Trump .
Only 36 % said they wanted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
-- 57 % said they supported `` replacing all private health insurance with a single government plan for everyone , '' an initiative known as Medicare for All , based on the government healthcare plan for older Americans .
Some 38 % said they opposed it .
The results may be a good sign for progressive candidates US senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren , who have championed Medicare for All on the campaign trail .
-- 37 % said they were attending the Iowa caucuses for the first time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Four years ago , 44 % of people attending the caucuses said they were doing so for the first time .
In 2008 , 57 % said they were new to the Iowa caucuses .
-- 35 % of Democrats said before entering the caucuses that they picked their candidate in the last few days .
That appears to be higher than the number of late deciders in 2016 .
Four years ago , 16 % of caucus-goers said they had made their choice in the last month or earlier .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare was the issue they cared most about when thinking about picking a nominee .
Some 22 % said it was the climate , 17 % said it was income inequality and 14 % said foreign policy .
-- The entrance poll also asked Democrats about which candidate they were supporting for the nomination .
The selections are not predictive of the outcome , however , given that many Democrats will change their preferences if their chosen candidate does not win enough support in the caucuses .
Edison , a New Jersey-based exit-polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll data to a consortium of news organizations through the National Election Pool since 2004 .

Iowa’s Democrats promised to begin to release long-delayed results on Tuesday afternoon from the party’s chaotic first voting in its process of picking a candidate to face Republican Donald Trump in the US presidential election taking place on Tuesday, November 3.Troy Price, the party’s state chairman, said more than 50% of results from the Iowa caucuses would be released at 5 p.m. Eastern Time, 21 hours after voters gathered Monday night to choose a Democratic candidate in schools and community centers across the state.Officials blamed inconsistencies related to a new mobile app used for vote counting for the highly unusual delay in releasing results in the state that traditionally kicks off a US presidential election year.The delay enraged Iowa Democrats worried that the confusion would play into Trump ’s hands, and prompted some Democratic candidates’ campaigns to question whether the results would be legitimate.It was a clumsy start to 2020 voting, after a bad-tempered presidential campaign four years ago that produced a surprise winner in Trump and led to a two-year federal investigation into election interference by Russia.“Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit,” said Roger Lau, campaign manager for Sen. Elizabeth Warren.Republicans asked how Democrats could run the country if they could not conduct a caucus, while Trump mocked the Democrats on Twitter, calling the delay an “unmitigated disaster.”Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, expressed frustration with the delayed results on Tuesday, after having said at a late-night rally he was going to the next early voting state of New Hampshire victorious.“I don’t think there’s a person in the country more impatient than I am” to get official results, he said on MSNBC.Buttigieg and front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders released their campaigns’ own count of the Iowa vote which showed them having done well.Trump took a swipe at the Democrats, 11 of whom are contenders in the state-by-state battle to face him in November.“Nothing works, just like they ran the Country,” he wrote on Twitter. He also said the delay was not Iowa’s fault and pledged that Republicans would continue to uphold the tradition of early Iowa caucuses.After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president.KATHY ANDERSON, a Des Moines resident, cheered Warren on but told The Jerusalem Post that she came to the caucus for Amy Klobuchar."She's intelligent; I feel she can beat Trump,” Anderson said. “She's a woman, and it's time for a woman. Men have been in charge and they haven't done so well, and now it's time for a woman.”Like Anderson, Sue Harris supported Klobuchar as well, citing her pro-Israel positions. Harris, a member of Tifereth Israel synagogue, told the Post that the Minnesota senator is the only one who could bring people together."I'm disturbed a little bit about Warren and Sanders," she told the Post. "I think there are a lot of people in their camp who are very critical of Israel and don't know all the positives about Israel. [They] don't know all of the work that the Israelis are doing towards peace with the Palestinians, and there are some who don't even believe in the existence of the State of Israel, so I'm worried about that.""One of the reasons I like Klobuchar is that she has a very solid record on Israel," Harris continued. "She has a lot of energy. She's also very good at listening to everybody. She cares about everybody no matter what your political orientation is or other orientation. There are other candidates who will just end up facilitating more division in the country. And I think we'll swing from Left to Right and Reft to Light, and people arguing too much."I really want there to be not to the Left, not to the Right," she said. "I want people to come together. I want Shalom Bait [peace at home] – that's what I want."Tyler Burrell, another Iowan, was standing with a small group of Andrew Yang supporters, who he admitted might not be a viable candidate. Yet, he said, "I don't have a backup player. I'm just going to wait it out. If all my people leave, then I'll follow them. But right now, I'm just going to wait it out."At the end of the day, Warren's efforts paid off, and she finished in first place at the precinct, while former vice president Joe Biden came in fifth and was not a viable candidate. Most of his supporters left the place shortly after it was announced that he did not cross the threshold.Andrew Perry, who works for a financial services company in Des Moines, told the Post that he was surprised and disappointed to see that Biden did not receive enough support. "I was a little surprised," he said. "I'll be curious to see how he performs in other precincts here in Des Moines. It is a little bit [disappointing], but you know, at the end of the day, it's a strong ticket across the bar. I could have caucused for pretty much any of the candidates here – and as of right now, he could still be viable after the second round. My initial thought is that it's not indicative of anything."US President Donald Trump mocked the delay in results on Tuesday, releasing a statement saying that "Democrats are stewing in a caucus mess of their own creation with the sloppiest train wreck in history.""It would be natural for people to doubt the fairness of the process. And these are the people who want to run our entire health care system? Tonight, President Trump posted a record performance in the well-run GOP Iowa caucuses with a record turnout for an incumbent," his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement.HERE ARE some highlights from the entrance poll based on interviews with 1,512 Iowa Democrats as they headed into the caucuses that kick off what could be a months-long nominating fight. The results will be updated as more interviews are collected.-- 62% of caucus-goers said they were looking for a Democratic nominee who they think can beat Trump. Only 36% said they wanted a nominee who agrees with them on major issues.-- 57% said they supported "replacing all private health insurance with a single government plan for everyone," an initiative known as Medicare for All, based on the government healthcare plan for older Americans. Some 38% said they opposed it. The results may be a good sign for progressive candidates US senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who have championed Medicare for All on the campaign trail.-- 37% said they were attending the Iowa caucuses for the first time, which appears to be below that of 2016. Four years ago, 44% of people attending the caucuses said they were doing so for the first time. In 2008, 57% said they were new to the Iowa caucuses.-- 35% of Democrats said before entering the caucuses that they picked their candidate in the last few days. That appears to be higher than the number of late deciders in 2016. Four years ago, 16% of caucus-goers said they had made their choice in the last month or earlier.-- 41% of Iowa caucus-goers said healthcare was the issue they cared most about when thinking about picking a nominee. Some 22% said it was the climate, 17% said it was income inequality and 14% said foreign policy.-- The entrance poll also asked Democrats about which candidate they were supporting for the nomination. The selections are not predictive of the outcome, however, given that many Democrats will change their preferences if their chosen candidate does not win enough support in the caucuses.Edison, a New Jersey-based exit-polling firm, has been providing Election Day poll data to a consortium of news organizations through the National Election Pool since 2004.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Shelling hits two natural gas plants in Syria's Homs - state TV

Syrian state TV reported early on Tuesday that shelling hit a natural gas plant in the south-central area of the city of Homs as well as the Ebla gas plant there.Firefighting units are still trying to put out a fire at the south-central area gas plant while no damage was reported at the Ebla gas plant, according to the state TV.It was not immediately known whether production from the south-central area gas plant was affected and no further information was available on the source of the shelling.The Ebla gas plant provides local power plants with approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of gas per day and both gas plants are used to provide fuel domestically.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Polls from Iowa highlights Dem voter preferences based on demographics

The first polls revealing voter preferences based on different demographic categories highlights the political mood in Iowa.Questions asked Democratic Caucus voters about a variety of topics, including voter preference according to age, race, ideology (liberal and moderate), most important issue and ability to beat Republican US President Trump.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Hong Kong reports first coronavirus fatality - TVB news

HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported its first coronavirus death, local news broadcaster TVB said on Tuesday, the second fatality outside mainland China.The 39-year-old male had previously been reported by local authorities as having an underlying illness. Hong Kong has had 15 confirmed cases including one that was transmitted locally.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--Jared Kushner will present the Deal of the Century to the UN on Thursday

An American source told the various news agencies that US president Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Jared Kushner, will present the American peace plan called the "Deal of century" to the UN security council on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-04--China says U.S. should not overreact on coronavirus outbreak

China's foreign ministry reiterated on Tuesday the United States should refrain from overreacting on the coronavirus outbreak and called on Washington to work with Beijing and the international community to deal with the epidemic.Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, in a statement issued by the ministry, also said Beijing notes the repeated offer from the U.S. to China for assistance in fighting the outbreak. Beijing hopes that Washington will provide the offered aid soon, she said.China earlier on Tuesday said the death toll from the outbreak has risen to 425 and that more than 20,000 people have been infected by the virus to date.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--US expected to renew sanctions waivers allowing Iran nonproliferation work

WASHINGTON - The United States is expected to allow Russian , Chinese and European companies to continue their work at Iranian nuclear sites to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear weapons , four sources familiar with the matter said on Monday .
The sources , who spoke on condition of anonymity and who included one US official , said a US decision could come as early as on Monday to renew waivers to sanctions that bar non-US firms from dealing with Iran 's Atomic Energy Organization .
Jewish News Syndicate ( JNS ) , a news outlet predominantly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , first reported the United States was expected to renew the waivers , citing two sources familiar with the decision .
The move by the Trump administration , which in 2018 withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran , will allow nonproliferation work to continue at the Arak heavy-water research reactor , the Bushehr nuclear power plant , the Tehran Research Reactor and other nuclear initiatives .
Tehran has long rejected Western assertions that it has sought to develop nuclear weapons .
The waivers would be a rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran .
Washington last week blacklisted five Iran- and Iraq-based companies and 15 individuals for supporting terrorist groups , its third round of sanctions on Iranian targets in two weeks even as it is one of the countries hit by the coronavirus outbreak .

WASHINGTON - The United States is expected to allow Russian, Chinese and European companies to continue their work at Iranian nuclear sites to make it harder for Tehran to develop nuclear weapons, four sources familiar with the matter said on Monday.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity and who included one US official, said a US decision could come as early as on Monday to renew waivers to sanctions that bar non-US firms from dealing with Iran's Atomic Energy Organization.
Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), a news outlet predominantly focused on Israel and the Jewish world, first reported the United States was expected to renew the waivers, citing two sources familiar with the decision.
The move by the Trump administration, which in 2018 withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, will allow nonproliferation work to continue at the Arak heavy-water research reactor, the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran Research Reactor and other nuclear initiatives.
Tehran has long rejected Western assertions that it has sought to develop nuclear weapons.
The waivers would be a rare breather in a hardened US policy toward Iran. Washington last week blacklisted five Iran- and Iraq-based companies and 15 individuals for supporting terrorist groups, its third round of sanctions on Iranian targets in two weeks even as it is one of the countries hit by the coronavirus outbreak.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--COVID-19 hospitalizations double in four days in California - governor

SACRAMENTO , Calif. - California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state @ @ @ @ @ four days , and the number of ICU patients tripled during that time .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Monday that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state had doubled over the past four days, and the number of ICU patients tripled during that time.
He did not immediately give figures for those totals.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Italy government to extend lockdown measures until Easter

ROME - The Italian government on Monday said it would extend a lockdown to prevent a further spread of the @ @ @ @ @ Easter , Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement .
`` Our evaluation is @ @ @ @ @ be extended at least until Easter ( April 12 ) .
The government will move @ @ @ @ @ the health minister said after a meeting with the scientific committee .
Italians have been @ @ @ @ @ and the restrictions were due to end on Friday .
Italy , the world 's @ @ @ @ @ for more than a third of all global fatalities , saw its total death tally @ @ @ @ @ outbreak emerged in northern regions on Feb. 21 .

ROME - The Italian government on Monday said it would extend a lockdown to prevent a further spread of the coronavirus outbreak at least until Easter, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said in a statement.
"Our evaluation is that all containment measures should be extended at least until Easter (April 12). The government will move in this direction," the health minister said after a meeting with the scientific committee.
Italians have been under lockdown for three weeks and the restrictions were due to end on Friday.
Italy, the world's hardest hit country which accounts for more than a third of all global fatalities, saw its total death tally rise to 11,591 since the outbreak emerged in northern regions on Feb. 21.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--First critical coronavirus patient in Israel recovers

The first coronavirus patient to be in a critical condition in Israel has recovered and was released from the hospital on Monday.The man (38) was the bus driver for a Greek delegation that left Gaza and after driving for several hours across southern Israel, eventually made its way to Ben-Gurion Airport. The driver was hospitalized on the Fourth of March at the Baruch Padeh Medical Center.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--France sees worst daily coronavirus death toll

PARIS - French health authorities reported 418 new deaths from coronavirus on Monday , taking the total to 3,024 or @ @ @ @ @ , France becoming the fourth country to cross the 3,000 fatalities threshold after China , @ @ @ @ @ The daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital but authorities say they @ @ @ @ @ to compile data on deaths in retirement homes , which is likely to result in @ @ @ @ @ fatalities .
Health agency director Jerome Salomon told a news conference that the number of @ @ @ @ @ , a rise of 11 % in 24 hours .

PARIS - French health authorities reported 418 new deaths from coronavirus on Monday, taking the total to 3,024 or an increase of 16%, France becoming the fourth country to cross the 3,000 fatalities threshold after China, Italy, and Spain.
The daily government tally only accounts for those dying in hospital but authorities say they will very soon be able to compile data on deaths in retirement homes, which is likely to result in a big increase in registered fatalities.
Health agency director Jerome Salomon told a news conference that the number of cases had risen to 44,550, a rise of 11% in 24 hours.
Salomon said 5,107 people were in a serious condition needing life support, up 10% compared to Monday, an increase speeding up again after slowing for two days.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: 4,695 Israelis diagnosed, 79 in serious condition

There are some 4,695 Israelis diagnosed with coronavirus, according to the Health Ministry. Some 79 are in serious condition, including 66 who are intubated.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--PM Netanyahu does not have coronavirus as test comes out negative

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his staff and family tested negative for the coronavirus on Monday, despite coming into limited contact with his parliamentary adviser, Rivka Paluch, who contracted the virus.Netanyahu did not spend enough time with Paluch to warrant quarantining himself, the Knesset's cameras found on Monday. Nevertheless, Netanyahu and his staff temporarily isolated themselves until the end of an epidemiological study that is expected to reveal that he was not exposed to the coronavirus. He said at the press conference that he did so voluntarily in order to set an example for the public.His office said that Health Ministry professionals were conducting a thorough study to determine what needs to be done next. The first indications of the study showed that there is no need for Netanyahu to enter quarantine, because he did not meet with Paluch and did not come into close contact with her. They have not been in the same room over the past two weeks.Netanyahu, in coordination with his personal doctor, has been maintaining health restrictions strictly, and is conducting most of his work from his home and most of his consultations by video.Paluch told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday night that reports Netanyahu would have to be quarantined were incorrect. She said that while she did go to the Knesset on Thursday to prepare the prime minister for the vote for Knesset speaker, she did not have any real contact with Netanyahu.An investigation by the Knesset found that Paluch had been in the Knesset on March 16, 23, and 26, so anyone who had been in her company for an extended period of time on at least one of those days must quarantine themselves accordingly.If Netanyahu tests positive, he and his entire staff would have to be quarantined, as would Blue and White leaders Benny Gantz and Gabi Ashkenazi, who spent eight hours with him overnight on Saturday negotiating entering his government.But Paluch said it was very unlikely that she had passed the virus on to her boss.Paluch's husband tested positive for the coronavirus before she did. She said he got it after being treated at Ichilov Hospital, and that both she and her husband felt well and had minimal symptoms.Paluch is one of Netanyahu's few female advisers. While most of his closest advisers are in their 20s, she is a haredi (ultra-Orthodox) grandmother with many grandchildren, and is considered especially close to his wife, Sara.A veteran of the Israeli political scene, Paluch once organized a visit of MKs and reporters to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas. She ensured that a lunch at the Mukata presidential compound would be strictly kosher.British prime minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the virus and is quarantined. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, said Saturday that she has recovered from being ill from COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus . She and her husband had been self-quarantined.Alex Winston contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--US CDC reports 140,904 coronavirus cases, 2,405 deaths

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) on Monday reported 140,904 cases of coronavirus , and @ @ @ @ @ had risen to 2,405 .
Over the weekend , the CDC updated its case count @ @ @ @ @ people had died across the country , but said that the numbers were preliminary and @ @ @ @ @ individual states .
The CDC 's tally of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ , on Monday is as of 4 pm ET on March 29 .
The CDC @ @ @ @ @ cases reported by individual states .

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday reported 140,904 cases of coronavirus, and said the number of deaths had risen to 2,405.
Over the weekend, the CDC updated its case count to 122,653 and said 2,112 people had died across the country, but said that the numbers were preliminary and had not been confirmed by individual states.
The CDC's tally of the respiratory illness known as COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, on Monday is as of 4 pm ET on March 29.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Turkey records 168 total coronavirus deaths

Some 162 patients have recovered so far .

Turkey's deaths from the new coronavirus increased by 37 to 168 on Monday, as the number of confirmed cases rose by 1,610 to 10,827, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.
Some 162 patients have recovered so far.
The minister added on Twitter that 11,535 tests had been conducted on Monday - the highest since the start of the outbreak - bringing the total number of tests carried out in Turkey to 76,981 since the outbreak began.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Italy's coronavirus death toll rises by 812, but new cases decline

However , the number of new cases rose by just 4,050 , the lowest amount since March 17 , hitting @ @ @ @ @ previous 97,689 .
Some 5,217 cases were recorded on Sunday and 5,974 on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ , 14,620 had fully recovered on Monday , compared to 13,030 the day before .
@ @ @ @ @ intensive care , up from a previous 3,906 .
Italy has registered more deaths than @ @ @ @ @ and accounts for more than a third of all global fatalities from the virus .

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy climbed by 812 to 11,591, the Civil Protection Agency said on Monday, reversing two days of declines in the daily rate.
However, the number of new cases rose by just 4,050, the lowest amount since March 17, hitting a total 101,739 from a previous 97,689.
Some 5,217 cases were recorded on Sunday and 5,974 on Saturday.
Of those originally infected nationwide, 14,620 had fully recovered on Monday, compared to 13,030 the day before. There were 3,981 people in intensive care, up from a previous 3,906.
Italy has registered more deaths than anywhere else in the world and accounts for more than a third of all global fatalities from the virus.
Italy's largest daily toll from the five-week-old epidemic was registered on Friday, when 919 people died. There were 889 deaths on Saturday and 756 on Sunday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Terrorist opens fire at Israeli security forces Shoefat refugee camp

At least one Palestinian terrorist fired at an Israeli security force comprised of Police and Border Police forces on Monday at the Shoefat refugee camp.There were no injuries reported as one suspect was arrested.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--WHO: Italy's coronavirus outbreak should stabilize, but vigilance needed

`` We do hope that Italy and Spain are nearly there , but the virus wo n't go down by @ @ @ @ @ be pushed down through public health efforts , ' Dr. Mike Ryan , WHO 's @ @ @ @ @ a news conference .
On Italy , Ryan said : `` We should start to @ @ @ @ @ we see today really reflect exposures 2 weeks ago . ''

Lockdowns and stringent measures in place in Italy for the past two weeks should lead soon to a stabilization in its coronavirus epidemic, but vigilant follow-up will be required, a senior official of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
"We do hope that Italy and Spain are nearly there, but the virus won't go down by itself, it needs to be pushed down through public health efforts,' Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergencies expert, told a news conference.
On Italy, Ryan said: "We should start to see stabilization. The cases we see today really reflect exposures 2 weeks ago."


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Coronavirus: UK death toll surpasses 1,400

The figures are accurate up to 17:00 local time on March 29 .
The previous increase saw the death toll @ @ @ @ @ are a total of 22,141 positive cases as of 0900 local time on March 30 @ @ @ @ @ .

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the United Kingdom rose to 1,408, according to figures released on Monday, an increase of 180, a smaller rise than the previous set of numbers.
The figures are accurate up to 17:00 local time on March 29.
The previous increase saw the death toll rise by 209.
There are a total of 22,141 positive cases as of 0900 local time on March 30, the health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Rotterdam concert hall to admit coronavirus patients instead of Eurovision

On Monday , work began on installing the first 88 of a possible 680 hospital beds in the halls of Ahoy , normally used for big concerts , trade fairs and international sports events .
Instead of its usual crowd of pop music and sports fans , Ahoy will open its doors from mid-April to people suffering from the coronavirus or other illnesses who need care but do not have to be admitted to a hospital .
This should help alleviate the pressure on hospitals in the Netherlands , where the number of coronavirus infections has risen rapidly since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of Monday , there were 11,750 confirmed coronavirus infections in the country , with 864 deaths .
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health said on Sunday that intensive care units in Dutch hospitals could reach peak capacity in the coming two weeks at the current rate of infections .
To keep hospitals from overflowing , emergency wards for coronavirus and other patients are also being installed in hotels across the country of 17 million people .
Only last month , Ahoy drew more than 100,000 spectators to the ABN Amro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hosted concerts by international stars such as Pink and 50 Cents .

The Ahoy concert hall in Rotterdam should have hosted the glitter and glamour of the Eurovision song contest in May, but instead is now being turned into an emergency hospital to help the Netherlands battle its coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday, work began on installing the first 88 of a possible 680 hospital beds in the halls of Ahoy, normally used for big concerts, trade fairs and international sports events.
Instead of its usual crowd of pop music and sports fans, Ahoy will open its doors from mid-April to people suffering from the coronavirus or other illnesses who need care but do not have to be admitted to a hospital.
This should help alleviate the pressure on hospitals in the Netherlands, where the number of coronavirus infections has risen rapidly since the first case was reported on Feb. 27.
As of Monday, there were 11,750 confirmed coronavirus infections in the country, with 864 deaths.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health said on Sunday that intensive care units in Dutch hospitals could reach peak capacity in the coming two weeks at the current rate of infections.
To keep hospitals from overflowing, emergency wards for coronavirus and other patients are also being installed in hotels across the country of 17 million people.
Only last month, Ahoy drew more than 100,000 spectators to the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament and in recent months has hosted concerts by international stars such as Pink and 50 Cents.
However, Ahoy saw its most anticipated event of the year scrapped two weeks ago, when the coronavirus pandemic forced the Eurovision song contest organizers to cancel an event that would have drawn tens of thousands of spectators in mid-May.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Expo 2020 Dubai organizers mull postponing for a year due to coronavirus

The announcement came after a meeting between officials from the United Arab Emirates and foreign countries participating in the nearly six-month-long event that was due to begin in October .
Reuters earlier on Monday reported Expo was due to be postponed by a year at the request of participating countries who want to focus on tackling the virus .
“ Many countries have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have therefore expressed a need to postpone the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year , to enable them to overcome this challenge , '' Director General for Expo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
`` The UAE and Expo 2020 Dubai have listened .
And in the spirit of solidarity and unity , we supported the proposal to explore a one year postponement at today ’ s Steering Committee meeting . ''
An estimated 11 million overseas visitors were expected to attend the showpiece of culture , business and technology featuring pavilions from 192 countries .
A final decision will be made in June by member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions , which awards the event .
Two sources familiar with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would vote against postponing .
The delay is set to be a major blow for Dubai as the emirate – which would have spent over $ 8 billion on Expo-related infrastructure projects by the end of the fair – was relying on the event to boost its economy .
Dubai-based Arqaam Capital last year forecast an economic benefit from Expo of up to $ 9 billion in incremental tourist spending .

Organisers of Expo 2020 Dubai on Monday backed a proposal to postpone the event for one year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement came after a meeting between officials from the United Arab Emirates and foreign countries participating in the nearly six-month-long event that was due to begin in October.
Reuters earlier on Monday reported Expo was due to be postponed by a year at the request of participating countries who want to focus on tackling the virus.
“Many countries have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 and they have therefore expressed a need to postpone the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year, to enable them to overcome this challenge," Director General for Expo 2020 Dubai Reem al-Hashimy said in a statement.
"The UAE and Expo 2020 Dubai have listened. And in the spirit of solidarity and unity, we supported the proposal to explore a one year postponement at today’s Steering Committee meeting."
An estimated 11 million overseas visitors were expected to attend the showpiece of culture, business and technology featuring pavilions from 192 countries.
A final decision will be made in June by member states of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, which awards the event.
Two sources familiar with the matter said it was unlikely member states would vote against postponing.
The delay is set to be a major blow for Dubai as the emirate – which would have spent over $8 billion on Expo-related infrastructure projects by the end of the fair – was relying on the event to boost its economy.
Dubai-based Arqaam Capital last year forecast an economic benefit from Expo of up to $9 billion in incremental tourist spending.
Expo was the last major international event that was still officially scheduled to go ahead this year. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were last week postponed by a year.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Interior Ministry will handle coronavirus patient details

Health Minister Ya'acov Litzman and Interior Minister Arye Deri agreed that the details of coronavirus patients and those under isolation will be given to the Interior Ministry and the authorities.These details will be kept under disclosure and handled while keeping in mind the right to privacy, in order to check the implementation the new guidelines and warnings that were given to the public.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Colombia's largest guerrilla force declares ceasefire due to coronavirus

Health authorities in the Andean country have reported 702 cases and 10 deaths of COVID-19 , which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organization .
`` The National Liberation Army considers it prudent to declare an active unilateral cease-fire for one month , until April 30 , in a humanitarian gesture from the ELN to the Colombian people , who are suffering from the devastation of the coronavirus , '' the leftist rebel group said in a statement published on its website .
The rebels , considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend themselves if they are attacked by Colombia 's armed forces .
ELN units operate largely independently and some have ignored cease-fire orders from central commanders in the past .
The ELN called on the government of President Ivan Duque to meet its delegation from collapsed peace talks in Cuba to arrange a bilateral and temporary cease-fire .
Duque canceled possible negotiations with the group following a January 2019 car bomb attack at a police academy in Bogota that killed 22 cadets .
As a precondition to holding peace talks Duque has demanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combatants , declare a unilateral cease-fire , including a suspension of kidnappings and attacks against the oil and gas industry , and that its fighters group together under international observation .
The ELN has rejected the demands .
In the statement , the rebel group also asked the government to reduce prison populations in the midst of the health emergency by freeing `` political prisoners '' and that it grant a subsidiaries to the unemployed and suspend loan repayments .

The National Liberation Army (ELN), the largest active guerrilla group in Colombia, will observe a unilateral cease-fire for one month from April 1 in an effort to help stem the spread of coronavirus, it said on Monday.
Health authorities in the Andean country have reported 702 cases and 10 deaths of COVID-19, which has been described as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
"The National Liberation Army considers it prudent to declare an active unilateral cease-fire for one month, until April 30, in a humanitarian gesture from the ELN to the Colombian people, who are suffering from the devastation of the coronavirus," the leftist rebel group said in a statement published on its website.
The rebels, considered a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union, said its combatants will still defend themselves if they are attacked by Colombia's armed forces.
ELN units operate largely independently and some have ignored cease-fire orders from central commanders in the past.
The ELN called on the government of President Ivan Duque to meet its delegation from collapsed peace talks in Cuba to arrange a bilateral and temporary cease-fire.
Duque canceled possible negotiations with the group following a January 2019 car bomb attack at a police academy in Bogota that killed 22 cadets.
As a precondition to holding peace talks Duque has demanded the group, which has around 2,000 combatants, declare a unilateral cease-fire, including a suspension of kidnappings and attacks against the oil and gas industry, and that its fighters group together under international observation.
The ELN has rejected the demands.
In the statement, the rebel group also asked the government to reduce prison populations in the midst of the health emergency by freeing "political prisoners" and that it grant a subsidiaries to the unemployed and suspend loan repayments.
The government was not immediately able to comment on the unilateral cease-fire or the ELN's demands.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Van Gogh painting stolen from Dutch museum closed due to coronavirus

The gallery , in the town of Laren to the east of Amsterdam , is currently shut to the public @ @ @ @ @ .
The painting Lentetuin , or Spring Garden , which depicts the garden of the @ @ @ @ @ to 1884 , had been on loan from the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands .
@ @ @ @ @ absolutely livid that this has happened , '' Jan Rudolph de Lorm , director of @ @ @ @ @ said in a video statement posted on YouTube .
`` This splendid and moving artwork @ @ @ @ @ artists has been stolen , taken from the community , '' he said .
Police @ @ @ @ @ the building 's glass front doors open at around 3.15 a.m. ( 0115 GMT ) @ @ @ @ @ a woman in a garden with sparse red-flowered bushes and the church building in the @ @ @ @ @ been closed because of the coronavirus outbreak since March 12 .

Thieves stole a painting by Vincent van Gogh overnight from the Singer Laren Museum in the Netherlands, its director said on Monday.
The gallery, in the town of Laren to the east of Amsterdam, is currently shut to the public due to the coronavirus epidemic.
The painting Lentetuin, or Spring Garden, which depicts the garden of the rectory at Neunen and dates to 1884, had been on loan from the Groninger Museum in the Netherlands.
"I am shocked and absolutely livid that this has happened," Jan Rudolph de Lorm, director of the Singer Laren Museum, said in a video statement posted on YouTube.
"This splendid and moving artwork by one of our great artists has been stolen, taken from the community," he said.
Police said the thieves had forced the building's glass front doors open at around 3.15 a.m. (0115 GMT).
The stolen painting depicts a woman in a garden with sparse red-flowered bushes and the church building in the background.
Dutch museums have been closed because of the coronavirus outbreak since March 12.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Airstrikes hit Houthi-held Yemeni capital Sanaa

A number of sensitive sites including the presidential palace compound , the school and an air base close to Sanaa airport were hit , and loud explosions were heard across the city , residents said .
The coalition said the operation was aimed at destroying `` legitimate military targets including Houthi ballistic batteries which threaten civilian lives '' .
Houthi-run Al Masirah news said 70 horses were killed and 30 wounded in strikes on the military school .
Bombings in Sanaa city have been rare since September when Saudi Arabia launched indirect talks with the Houthi movement , which controls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The warring parties had also welcomed a U.N. call for an immediate truce to help fight the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday .
But fierce battles have resumed in al-Jawf and Marib provinces since last month as the Saudi-led coalition resumed air strikes against several towns and villages .
And on Saturday , Saudi Arabia said it intercepted two ballistic missiles , part of a drone and missile attack the Iran-aligned Houthis said they had launched towards Riyadh and southern parts of Saudi near the Yemeni border .
The recent escalation has shattered more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five-year-old conflict .
This had raised peace prospects after Saudi Arabia significantly reduced air strikes on Yemen and the Houthis halted missile and drone attacks on the kingdom .
On Sunday , U.N .
Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths reiterated a call by the United Nations for an immediate cessation of hostilities to build momentum for a nationwide ceasefire .
`` Yemen needs its leaders to focus every minute of their time on averting and mitigating the potentially disastrous consequences of a COVID-19 outbreak , '' Griffiths said in a statement overnight , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can cause .
Yemen has not recorded any cases of the coronavirus , according to the World Health Organization .
Air strikes on Monday also hit several towns in Hodeidah province , including the Salif and Bayt al-Faqih districts , witnesses and Al Masirah said .

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi group in Yemen carried out several air strikes on Monday on the capital Sanaa, witnesses and media said, killing dozens of horses at a military school.
A number of sensitive sites including the presidential palace compound, the school and an air base close to Sanaa airport were hit, and loud explosions were heard across the city, residents said.
The coalition said the operation was aimed at destroying "legitimate military targets including Houthi ballistic batteries which threaten civilian lives".
Houthi-run Al Masirah news said 70 horses were killed and 30 wounded in strikes on the military school.
Bombings in Sanaa city have been rare since September when Saudi Arabia launched indirect talks with the Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa and most of northern Yemen.
The warring parties had also welcomed a U.N. call for an immediate truce to help fight the coronavirus outbreak on Thursday.
But fierce battles have resumed in al-Jawf and Marib provinces since last month as the Saudi-led coalition resumed air strikes against several towns and villages.
And on Saturday,Saudi Arabia said it intercepted two ballistic missiles, part of a drone and missile attack the Iran-aligned Houthis said they had launched towards Riyadh and southern parts of Saudi near the Yemeni border.
The recent escalation has shattered more than three months of calm in the five-year-old conflict. This had raised peace prospects after Saudi Arabia significantly reduced air strikes on Yemen and the Houthis halted missile and drone attacks on the kingdom.
On Sunday,U.N. Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths reiterated a call by the United Nations for an immediate cessation of hostilities to build momentum for a nationwide ceasefire.
"Yemen needs its leaders to focus every minute of their time on averting and mitigating the potentially disastrous consequences of a COVID-19 outbreak," Griffiths said in a statement overnight, referring to the respiratory illness that the coronavirus can cause.
Yemen has not recorded any cases of the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization.
Air strikes on Monday also hit several towns in Hodeidah province, including the Salif and Bayt al-Faqih districts, witnesses and Al Masirah said.
The U.N. has for more than a year been trying to implement a ceasefire and troop withdrawal from the strategic port city of Hodeidah.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--IDF arrests Jordanian citizen after trying to cross the border to Israel

A Jordanian citizen was detained by IDF troops Monday afternoon after crossing into Israel ’ s northern Jordan Valley after @ @ @ @ @ of the community of Beit Yosef .
While according to Kann public broadcaster , the @ @ @ @ @ seeking treatment for the coronavirus , he was transferred back to Jordan by the IDF @ @ @ @

A Jordanian citizen was detained by IDF troops Monday afternoon after crossing into Israel’s northern Jordan Valley after being identified by a resident of the community of Beit Yosef. While according to Kann public broadcaster, the man had crossed into Israel seeking treatment for the coronavirus, he was transferred back to Jordan by the IDF and Israel police.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Lapid calls Ashkenazi 'foreign minister by zoom'

Incoming opposition leader Yair Lapid mocked his former Blue and White colleague Gabi Ashkenazi , who is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ That role had been expected to go to Lapid before Blue and White split .
@ @ @ @ @ he said he would not `` give up my principles to be a Foreign Minister @ @ @ @ @ The fifth Netanyahu government being formed before us is bloated , wasteful and corrupt with @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` What insensitivity .
What a disgrace .
By the end of the @ @ @ @ @ million Israelis unemployed and they ’ re sorting jobs for themselves . ''

Incoming opposition leader Yair Lapid mocked his former Blue and White colleague Gabi Ashkenazi, who is expected to be the next foreign minister.
That role had been expected to go to Lapid before Blue and White split. At a press conference, he said he would not "give up my principles to be a Foreign Minister by Zoom."
"The fifth Netanyahu government being formed before us is bloated, wasteful and corrupt with 36 ministers," he said. "What insensitivity. What a disgrace. By the end of the week there will be a million Israelis unemployed and they’re sorting jobs for themselves."


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--UK's Prince Charles, 71, out of self-isolation and in good health

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British heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles, 71, who had tested positive for coronavirus, is out of self-isolation and is in good health, his spokesman said on Monday."Clarence House has confirmed today that, having consulted with his doctor, The Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation," the spokesman said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Spain's health emergency chief Fernando Simon has coronavirus

Speaking at a daily news conference where she replaced Simon , Sierra said the trend in daily infections had changed @ @ @ @ @ measures , with new infections now rising at roughly 12 % a day , compared @ @ @ @ @ March 25 .

Spain's health emergency chief Fernando Simon, who leads the country's response to the coronavirus epidemic and maintains regular contact with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has tested positive for the virus, health official Maria Jose Sierra said on Monday.
Speaking at a daily news conference where she replaced Simon, Sierra said the trend in daily infections had changed since the introduction of lockdown measures, with new infections now rising at roughly 12% a day, compared with around 20% before March 25.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--IDF fires at Palestinians approaching Gaza border fence - report

No injuries have been reported .
Monday marks the 44th anniversary of Land Day .
Palestinians in both the West @ @ @ @ @ mark the day this year by raising Palestinian flags at their homes and burning Israeli @ @ @ @ @ the usual marches and rallies , due to the coronavirus outbreak.On March 30 , 1976 @ @ @ @ @ that it would seize 21,000 dunams of Arab land in the upper Galilee in the @ @ @ @ @ build Jewish settlements , according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency .
Six Palestinians were @ @ @ @ @ announcement .

No injuries have been reported.
On March 30, 1976, the Israeli government announced that it would seize 21,000 dunams of Arab land in the upper Galilee in the north of the country to build Jewish settlements, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency. Six Palestinians were killed during protests against the announcement. Monday marks the 44th anniversary of Land Day. Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza planned to mark the day this year by raising Palestinian flags at their homes and burning Israeli flags, instead of with the usual marches and rallies, due to the coronavirus outbreak.On March 30, 1976, the Israeli government announced that it would seize 21,000 dunams of Arab land in the upper Galilee in the north of the country to build Jewish settlements, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency. Six Palestinians were killed during protests against the announcement.
A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on Friday. The IDF struck targets belonging to Hamas in response. In a press release, Hamas stressed that there is no way to "free the land except the path of resistance." The terrorist group renewed its rejection of the "Deal of the Century" Middle East peace plan.A rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel on Friday. The IDF struck targets belonging to Hamas in response.
IDF soldiers fired and launched tear gas at Palestinians who approached the border fence east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Monday, according to Palestinian reports.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Spain's coronavirus cases rise to 85,195, surpass China's

Spain's total number of coronavirus cases rose to 85,195 on Monday from 78,797 on Sunday, the country's health ministry said, as the infections surpassed those reported in China, at 81,470 according to the latest data.The death toll from the virus in Spain rose to 7,340 on Monday from 6,528 on Sunday, the ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Iran's coronavirus death toll reaches 2,757

`` In the past 24 hours we had 117 new deaths and 3,186 new confirmed cases of people infected with @ @ @ @ @ Jahanpur told state TV , calling on Iranians to stay at home .

Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus has increased to 2,757 with 117 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a health ministry spokesman told state TV on Monday, adding that the total number of cases has climbed to 41,495.
"In the past 24 hours we had 117 new deaths and 3,186 new confirmed cases of people infected with the coronavirus," Kianush Jahanpur told state TV, calling on Iranians to stay at home.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--North Korea says US will not drop hostile policy

A North Korean official said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is undermining North Korea 's willingness to return to @ @ @ @ @ recent remark on sanctions on North Korea .

North Korea said the United States will not drop its hostile policy, even though their two leaders have a good relationship, state media KCNA said on Monday.
A North Korean official said U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is undermining North Korea's willingness to return to dialog, criticizing Pompeo's recent remark on sanctions on North Korea.
North Korea said earlier Monday that it had conducted successful test of multiple rocket launchers.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Indonesia confirms 129 new coronavirus infections, taking total to 1,414

Indonesia confirmed 129 new coronavirus infections on Monday, taking the total to 1,414 in the Southeast Asian country, said a health ministry official.Achmad Yurianto, the official, reported eight new deaths, taking the total to 122, while 75 had recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Philippines reports seven coronavirus deaths, 128 more infections

The Philippines' health ministry on Monday reported seven new coronavirus deaths and 128 more infections.Total deaths have risen to 78 and infections to 1,546, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a regular news conference. With the arrival of thousands of testing kits and the start of operations of more laboratories, authorities are able to detect more infections, she added.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--UK cannot confirm when coronavirus antibody test will arrive

Britain cannot yet say when a coronavirus antibody test will arrive for use, a junior health minister said on Monday.When asked whether the test would be ready in days, Helen Whately told BBC radio: "I am not going to confirm when that's going to arrive."


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Brazil's Bolsonaro says no more quarantine measures can be imposed

Speaking to Rede TV , Bolsonaro repeated his view that there is a large degree of `` hysteria '' around @ @ @ @ @ Economy Minister Paulo Guedes told him measures taken to combat the crisis could cost 800 @ @ @ @ @ bln ) and that the economy could recover within a year .

Speaking to Rede TV, Bolsonaro repeated his view that there is a large degree of "hysteria" around the pandemic, and said Economy Minister Paulo Guedes told him measures taken to combat the crisis could cost 800 billion reais ($155 bln) and that the economy could recover within a year.
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday that no more coronavirus-fighting quarantine measures can be imposed than those already in place because jobs are being destroyed and the poor are suffering.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Trump says guidelines to slow coronavirus spread may get tougher

`` The guidelines will be very much as they are , maybe even toughened up a little bit , '' @ @ @ @ @ at the White House .

"The guidelines will be very much as they are, maybe even toughened up a little bit," he told reporters in remarks at the White House.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may toughen up current guidelines aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, which has killed more than 2000 Americans.


jerusalempost--2020-03-30--Trump says more than 1 million Americans have been tested for coronavirus

President Donald Trump said on Monday that more than 1 million Americans had been tested for coronavirus and urged people @ @ @ @ @ distancing measures through April to prevent the virus from spreading .
`` Every one of @ @ @ @ @ play in winning this war .
Every citizen , family , and business can make @ @ @ @ @ virus .
This is our shared patriotic duty .
Challenging times are ahead for the @ @ @ @ @ is a very vital 30 days , '' Trump told reporters at the White House @

President Donald Trump said on Monday that more than 1 million Americans had been tested for coronavirus and urged people to continue to follow social distancing measures through April to prevent the virus from spreading.
"Every one of us has a role to play in winning this war. Every citizen, family, and business can make the difference in stopping the virus. This is our shared patriotic duty. Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days and this is a very vital 30 days," Trump told reporters at the White House.
He referred to the testing number as a milestone.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--UK sets out advice on clinical trials due to coronavirus outbreak

`` We have written to all Phase I accredited units conducting early phase clinical trials to seek confirmation that all @ @ @ @ @ assessment in relation to coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) and the current government advice , '' @ @ @ @

Britain on Tuesday said those carrying out phase-1 clinical trials needed to have a risk assessment in place in response to the coronavirus outbreak or they could be halted, though the action does not affect COVID-19 trials.
"We have written to all Phase I accredited units conducting early phase clinical trials to seek confirmation that all trials have undergone a risk assessment in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19) and the current government advice," the government said.
"It is important to stress that this action is not applicable to ongoing or proposed clinical trials related to COVID-19."


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Poland tightens public life restrictions against coronavirus

`` Whether we will be able to return to semi-normality depends on whether we will obey the rules being introduced @ @ @ @ @ a news conference , adding the new limits will last for at least two weeks @ @ @ @ @ shops will introduce exclusive service hours for elderly people , and minors will not be @ @ @ @ @ not accompanied by adults .
The government 's actions announced on Tuesday add to measures @ @ @ @ @ month .
Poland has already banned gatherings of more than two people , excluding families @ @ @ @ @ to leave their homes except for essential activities .
As of Tuesday , 2,132 people @ @ @ @ @ in the country of 38 million , while 31 people had died , according to @ @ @ @

Poland will impose further curbs on public life, including closing access to parks, beaches, bike rentals, and other public places, to stop the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday.
"Whether we will be able to return to semi-normality depends on whether we will obey the rules being introduced today," Morawiecki told a news conference, adding the new limits will last for at least two weeks.
He also said that shops will introduce exclusive service hours for elderly people, and minors will not be allowed to walk outside when not accompanied by adults.
The government's actions announced on Tuesday add to measures it has taken earlier this month. Poland has already banned gatherings of more than two people, excluding families, and told citizens not to leave their homes except for essential activities.
As of Tuesday, 2,132 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the country of 38 million, while 31 people had died, according to the health ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--7% of people screened for coronavirus on Monday tested positive

Seven percent of the 6,581 people who were screened for coronavirus on Monday tested positive, according to a representative of the National Security Council. He was speaking at Tuesday's Coronavirus Committee meeting in the Knesset.Soon after the NSC released the number, the Health Ministry said that it had only conducted 5,681 tests on Monday."Who is correct is unclear," Knesset committee chair MK Ofer Shelah said.Israel is testing around 6,000 people per day currently with the goal of reaching 30,000 daily by mid-April.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Swiss coronavirus death toll rises to 373, positive tests hit 16,176

The number of positive tests increased to 16,176 from 15,575 on Monday , it said .

The Swiss death toll from the coronavirus epidemic has risen to 373, the country's public health agency said on Tuesday, from 295 people on Monday.
The number of positive tests increased to 16,176 from 15,575 on Monday, it said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Spain registers overnight coronavirus death toll of 849, highest so far

The death toll rose to 8,189 on Tuesday from 7,340 on Monday , while the number of cases rose to @ @ @ @ @ on Monday .

Spain registered 849 fatalities related to coronavirus overnight - the highest number in 24 hours since the epidemic started, although the increase in percentage terms was slightly lower than in the previous days, the health ministry said on Tuesday.
The death toll rose to 8,189 on Tuesday from 7,340 on Monday, while the number of cases rose to 94,417 on Tuesday from 85,195 on Monday.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Russia coronavirus cases jump to 2,337 in record daily rise

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia jumped to 2,337 on Tuesday, an increase of 500, as the country recorded its biggest daily rise for the seventh day in a row.In Russia, 18 people who contracted the coronavirus have now died, while 121 people have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Philippines' reports 10 new coronavirus deaths, 538 more infections

The Philippines' health ministry on Tuesday recorded its single largest daily increase in coronavirus deaths and infections.Ten more people died because of the outbreak, bringing the total to 88, while 538 additional infections increased the total number of cases to 2,084, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Europe sends medical goods to Iran in trade test

France, Germany and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a trade mechanism set up to barter humanitarian goods and food after the U.S. withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal, Germany said on Tuesday.The German Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the medical goods were now in Iran and added that the Instex trade mechanism and its Iranian counterpart would now work on more transactions and on enhancing the system.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Iran says 'terrorist' attack inside Turkey halts natural gas exports

Iran said on Tuesday its natural gas exports to Turkey have stopped after an attack on a pipeline inside the neighboring country, an Iranian official told state TV."This morning, terrorists attacked a natural gas pipeline inside Turkey near Iran's Bazargan border with Turkey ...Flow of gas has been halted," said Mehdi Jamshidi-Dana, an official at Iran's national Gas Co.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Worldwide coronavirus deaths cross 37,500

More than 777,000 people have been infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 37,561 have died, according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 200 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--March was biggest month on record for UK grocery sales

British grocery sales soared 20.6% year-on-year in the four weeks to March 22, as shoppers stocked-up before the country went on coronavirus lockdown, making it the biggest month on record for grocery sales, industry data showed on Tuesday.Market researcher Kantar said growth was driven by people shopping more frequently and buying slightly more, with the average household spending an extra 62.92 pounds ($77.36) over the four weeks.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Coronavirus patient jumps from window in Poriya Medical Center

A coronavirus patient , 34 , at Poriya Medical Center , jumped out of a window and was severely injured @ @ @ @ @ he was considered to be in light condition after being transferred to the hospital from @ @ @

A coronavirus patient, 34, at Poriya Medical Center, jumped out of a window and was severely injured.
Before the jump, he was considered to be in light condition after being transferred to the hospital from home isolation.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Some UK police might have gone too far on coronavirus

`` The police are doing a difficult job and they are doing it well , '' Shapps told Sky .

The British police have done a good job in the coronavirus crisis though there may be some individual instances of some officers going a little too far in enforcing a lockdown, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Tuesday.
"The police are doing a difficult job and they are doing it well," Shapps told Sky.
"I am sure there are individual examples where perhaps you look at it and think that is perhaps a bit further than they should have gone but in general terms I think the case is that if people help everybody out, including the police, by staying home and the rest of it, then there will be no problems."


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany rises to 61,913

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Germany has risen to 61,913 and 583 people have died of the disease, statistics from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday.Cases rose by 4,615 compared with the previous day while the death toll climbed by 128, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--German minister says tracking apps to tackle coronavirus must be voluntary

`` It 's a real infringement if I have such data so I can only agree with everyone who says @ @ @ @ @ a solution that actually breaks the chains of infection , it 's only possible if @ @ @ @ @ their mobile phones and so use it do so voluntarily , '' Lambrecht said .

German Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told Deutschlandfunk radio on Tuesday that tracking apps to help tackle coronavirus could only be used voluntarily in Germany, where people are deeply suspicious of digital surveillance.
"It's a real infringement if I have such data so I can only agree with everyone who says that if there is such a solution that actually breaks the chains of infection, it's only possible if those who have it on their mobile phones and so use it do so voluntarily," Lambrecht said.
Germany hopes to launch a smartphone app within weeks to help trace coronavirus infections, after a broad political consensus emerged that adopting an approach pioneered by Singapore can be effective without invading people's privacy.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Thailand reports 127 new coronavirus cases, one death

The latest number raise the total number of confirmed infections in Thailand to 1,651 cases and 10 deaths since the @ @ @ @ @ reported in January .

Thailand reported 127 new coronavirus cases and one death on Tuesday, a health official said.
The latest number raise the total number of confirmed infections in Thailand to 1,651 cases and 10 deaths since the country's first case was reported in January.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Japan coronavirus infections top 2,000 cases

A center for disabled people in Chiba prefecture , east of Tokyo , found seven more infections on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ 93 , Kyodo News reported .
Elsewhere , more infections were found in Ehime , @ @ @ @ @ Tokushima prefectures , as well as in a doctor and nurse in Tokyo 's cancer @ @ @ @ @ Kyodo and public broadcaster NHK .

A center for disabled people in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, found seven more infections on Tuesday, bringing the total there to 93, Kyodo News reported.
Elsewhere, more infections were found in Ehime, Fukui, Kagawa, and Tokushima prefectures, as well as in a doctor and nurse in Tokyo's cancer research hospital, according to Kyodo and public broadcaster NHK.
Coronavirus infections in Japan topped 2,000 cases on Tuesday, according to a Reuters calculation based on ministry data and media reports.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--New Zealand extends state of emergency to stop spread of COVID-19

The initial declaration on March 25 lasted seven days and can be extended as many times as necessary .
`` @ @ @ @ @ Emergency ensures we have all the resources , support and powers we need to prevent @ @ @ @ @ our communities , '' Henare said .

The initial declaration on March 25 lasted seven days and can be extended as many times as necessary.
"Extending the State of National Emergency ensures we have all the resources, support and powers we need to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," Henare said.
New Zealand is extending the state of national emergency for a further seven days to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Minister of Civil Defence Peeni Henare said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Government approves new coronavirus guidelines limiting workforce

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The Israeli public is being asked to celebrate Passover , Easter and Ramadan alone, without their extended families and friends, to help stop the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rolled out a new set of restrictions Monday evening that were approved by the cabinet overnight. All of the ministers voted for the move apart of Defense Minister Naftali Bennett.The new state-of-emergency orders, which will continue to be subject to fines, include that no more than two people from the same family may gather; offices must reduce their in-house workforces to 15% and ensure that workers maintain two meters between themselves; up to 20 people can attend a funeral; up to 10 people can attend a brit milah circumcision ceremony; weddings can have no guests; prayer services cannot take place even in open spaces; people are asked to pray alone.Netanyahu also referred to the approaching Passover holiday, saying he “wants to avoid family visits on the eve of the holiday. The goal is not to meet people who have been elsewhere, because this is how the disease spreads. You must give up the visit with the son from the North who comes to see the family in the Center or in the South, give up the encounter with the daughter and grandchildren. There is no choice.“What I said now is also true of the holidays of non-Jewish communities,” he said, referring to the upcoming holidays of Easter and Ramadan. “We bless everyone with good holidays, but we will also require them to follow the same guidelines because it saves lives.”“In our battle against coronavirus, we will not spare any effort,” he added. “As I have told you from the beginning, it is better to be more stringent than not. Many countries have followed us in this policy.”Netanyahu spoke from his Jerusalem residence on Balfour Street, where he is in isolation, although he, his staff and family tested negative for the coronavirus on Monday despite coming into limited contact with his parliamentary adviser, Rivka Paluch, who contracted the virus.Netanyahu did not spend enough time with Paluch to warrant self-quarantine, Knesset cameras indicated on Monday. Nevertheless, he and his staff temporarily isolated themselves until the end of an epidemiological study that is expected to reveal he was not exposed to the coronavirus. He said at the press conference he did so voluntarily to set an example for the public.Health Ministry professionals were conducting a thorough study to determine what needs to be done next, the Prime Minister’s Office said. The first indications of the study showed there was no need for Netanyahu to enter quarantine because he did not meet with Paluch and did not come into close contact with her; they have not been in the same room over the past two weeks.Netanyahu, in coordination with his personal doctor, has been strictly maintaining health restrictions and is conducting most of his work from his home and most of his consultations by video.Paluch told The Jerusalem Post while she did go to the Knesset on Thursday to prepare Netanyahu for the vote for Knesset speaker, she did not have any real contact with him.The new restrictions come as Israel’s death toll climbed to 16 on Monday when a 58-year-old man with underlying medical conditions died at Shamir Medical Center in Tzrifin and as Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov warned there likely will be more than 150 coronavirus patients in serious condition by the weekend.“I don’t see a model in which we end this situation with a small number of intubated patients or deaths,” Bar Siman Tov told Israel Radio.A total of 4,695 Israelis have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus to date, including 79 people in serious condition. Among them is a man in his 20s who was hospitalized at Assuta Ashdod Medical Center and 66 patients who require ventilation.Among the 161 patients who have recovered from the virus thus far is Israel’s first critically ill patient, an Arab-Israeli bus driver who contracted the virus from Greek pilgrims. He was released from the Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poriya (near Tiberias) on Monday.Despite testing nearly 6,000 people on Sunday, Bar Siman Tov said the tests were only giving authorities a “very partial picture” of the real situation.“The fact that at least half of all patients are asymptomatic makes the disease problematic,” he said. “In addition, each test has a false negative rate.”While the end of the Passover holiday in mid-April has been slated as a potential trigger for the gradual return of business and educational activities, Bar Siman Tov forecast that schools will remain closed and that “most things will not be renewed.”Seeking to boost the number of coronavirus tests toward the government’s ambitious target of 30,000 per day, to gain a clearer picture of the state of public health, Magen David Adom opened a new “drive-through” coronavirus testing complex in the Arab town of Arara, located in the northern Wadi Ara region.Following a request from Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman, MDA director-general Eli Bin and Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi announced the launch of a dedicated coronavirus assistance center for the Israeli-Arab sector, where services will be provided in Arabic and adapted to the needs of the population.On the security front, the IDF announced it will postpone the enlistment of several combat support units due to the continued spread of the virus.While the upcoming drafts this week will not be postponed, the IDF will be delaying the recruitment of several combat support units, as well as those drafting into the submarine and naval officer’s course, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman told reporters Monday.Another 62 soldiers have been diagnosed with the virus and transferred to the military’s quarantine facility in Ashkelon. An additional 2,879 soldiers are in quarantine, and one soldier has recovered.On Tuesday, soldiers will begin distributing food and other necessities to the country’s elderly and others who are unable to make the purchases themselves due to the restrictions. The military will work with local governments to identify those who need assistance and will begin delivering the products.As part of an agreement between the Prime Minister’s Office and the Defense Ministry, one commander and four soldiers will be assigned to each person requiring assistance.The IDF has not yet deployed troops to assist in enforcing the partial lockdown but is waiting for Netanyahu to give the final approval on several details, including whether they will be armed, Zilberman told reporters.The military’s large medical corps, which is prepared for emergency situations like terrorist attacks, now has to fight against the virus and work with the Health Ministry to help with the logistics, including moving equipment such as masks and respirators from the airport to health centers across the country, OC Technological and Logistics Directorate Maj.-Gen. Yitzhak Turgeman said.Defense Minister Naftali Bennett acknowledged reports that the Defense Ministry has been working with the IDF 8200 Intelligence Unit and spyware firm NSO to develop software that would enter and process all data about coronavirus patients gathered by the Health Ministry and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).The system would map the spread of the virus through tracking the patient’s mobile-device data and then determine how likely any Israeli citizen is to become infected, giving both a macro- and micro-image of the coronavirus epidemic in Israel.“We are in a time of emergency, and this is an excellent system,” Bennett said, adding that the prime minister must approve the “Coronameter” system before it can be used.On Monday, acting Justice Minister Amir Ohana approved emergency rules allowing litigants to file legal motions with the court electronically without having to file physical copies.Although some other countries switched to significant electronic filings long before the coronavirus crisis, and Israel has made strides in that direction in recent years, Ohana’s new emergency rules mark a major shift in the legal culture.Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Pentagon: Coronavirus outbreak on carrier doesn't warrant evacuation

Reuters reported earlier on Tuesday about a letter from Captain Brett Crozier , the commanding officer of the Theodore Roosevelt @ @ @ @ @ 4,000 sailors from the ship and isolating them .
In his interview with CBS News @ @ @ @ @ directly on Crozier 's proposal , at least in the portions that aired .
Asked @ @ @ @ @ evacuate the carrier , Esper said : `` I do n't think we 're at @ @ @ @

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Tuesday it was not time to evacuate a U.S. aircraft carrier reeling from an outbreak of coronavirus, adding that he had not read in detail a letter from the commander of the ship pleading for help.
Reuters reported earlier on Tuesday about a letter from Captain Brett Crozier, the commanding officer of the Theodore Roosevelt, calling for removing over 4,000 sailors from the ship and isolating them.
In his interview with CBS News, Esper did not comment directly on Crozier's proposal, at least in the portions that aired. Asked if it was time to evacuate the carrier, Esper said: "I don't think we're at that point."
"We're moving a lot of supplies and assistance, medical assistance, out to the carrier in Guam. We're providing additional medical personnel as they need it," Esper said, adding the goal was still to contain the virus and that none of the crew were seriously ill.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Accountant-General closes a billion-dollar deal for the next 100 years

The Accountant-General completed a closing of an offering of $ 5 billion dollars ' worth of sovereign debt in international @ @ @ @ @ which is geared to be set for the next 100 years.This is a developing story @

The Accountant-General completed a closing of an offering of $5 billion dollars' worth of sovereign debt in international markets, one billion of which is geared to be set for the next 100 years.
This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--Trump urges Americans to practice social distancing through end of April

President Donald Trump warned Americans they would have a very tough two weeks coming in the fight against the coronavirus as he urged everyone to follow federal social distancing guidelines through the end of April."It's absolutely critical for the American people to follow the guidelines for the next 30 days. It's a matter of life and death," Trump said in a news conference at the White House.


jerusalempost--2020-03-31--UNSC welcomes Israeli-Palestinian cooperation against Corona

The United Nations Security Council welcomed Israeli-Palestinian cooperation in halting the spread of .
the Corona virus in the Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ statement put out by Israel 's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon .
The UNSC @ @ @ @ @ it `` welcomed ongoing Israeli-Palestinian coordination to address this common challenge '' of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ .
It added the 15-member of the UNSC called on called on Israelis and Palestinians @ @ @ @ @ The UNSC also lauded the work of the UN in coordinating those efforts .
`` @ @ @ @ @ illustrates the importance of Israel 's actions in the region to curb the spread of @ @ @ @ @ said .
On Monday the UNSC held an informal meeting via a video conference call @ @ @ @ @ Israeli-Palestinian conflict .
The UN and a number of member states lauded the joint Israeli-Palestinian @ @ @ @ @ that it provided a blue-print for renewed peace talks .

The United Nations Security Council welcomed Israeli-Palestinian cooperation in halting the spread of. the Corona virus in the Palestinian territories, according to a statement put out by Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.
The UNSC issued a formal statement saying it "welcomed ongoing Israeli-Palestinian coordination to address this common challenge" of the coronavirus, Danon's office said. It added the 15-member of the UNSC called on called on Israelis and Palestinians to increase those efforts. The UNSC also lauded the work of the UN in coordinating those efforts.
"The Security Council's statement illustrates the importance of Israel's actions in the region to curb the spread of the epidemic," Danon said.
On Monday the UNSC held an informal meeting via a video conference call in which it discussed the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UN and a number of member states lauded the joint Israeli-Palestinian cooperation with the US stating that it provided a blue-print for renewed peace talks.