jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Yair Lapid: We will topple the government once coronavirus is over

Presumptive opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday evening he will make Israel hold a fourth election once coronavirus is over @ @ @ @ @ If all they worry about are portfolios , it is not bad , but I @ @ @ @ @ for portfolios , '' Lapid said .
`` Once we are through the coronavirus period @ @ @ @ @ is to topple the government , '' the former Blue and White number-two told N12 @ @ @ @ @ have an indicted prime minister and an option to change the law - we will @ @ @ @ @ He added that he does not think former IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz will @ @ @ @ @ and do not think anyone on the political spectrum thinks it will happen . ''

Presumptive opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday evening he will make Israel hold a fourth election once coronavirus is over, N12 reported.
"If all they worry about are portfolios, it is not bad, but I did not go to politics for portfolios," Lapid said.
"Once we are through the coronavirus period - the opposition's job is to topple the government," the former Blue and White number-two told N12. "If we will have an indicted prime minister and an option to change the law - we will hold an election."


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Netanyahu releases guidelines for new ‘unity, emergency’ government

The 35th government , led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , was created as an “ unity and emergency government @ @ @ @ @ and its guidelines were announced in a press release from Wednesday evening .
The new @ @ @ @ @ emergency cabinet to tackle all issues related to the coronavirus outbreak and to lead an @ @ @ @ @ a way out of the nation ’ s economic crisis .
The government will also @ @ @ @ @ at promoting unity among different parts of Israeli society .

The 35th government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was created as an “unity and emergency government of national reconciliation,” and its guidelines were announced in a press release from Wednesday evening.
The new government vowed to form an emergency cabinet to tackle all issues related to the coronavirus outbreak and to lead an exit plan that will offer a way out of the nation’s economic crisis.
The government will also establish a reconciliation cabinet aimed at promoting unity among different parts of Israeli society.


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Coronavirus update: 4,052 active cases and 264 dead

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The number of active cases of coronavirus in Israel continues to drop. There are now 4,052 patients, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday night. So far, 12,232 people have recovered.Moreover, 264 people have died. There are now 52 patients on ventilators.


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Trains will not place a limit on number of passengers on Sunday

Trains will not place a limit on the number of passengers on Sunday when they resume operations after being closed @ @ @ @ @ Israeli media reported on Wednesday .
Inter-city buses will be limited to 20 passengers , @ @ @ @ @ up to 30 passengers and cabs will be required to only drive one person with @ @ @ @

Trains will not place a limit on the number of passengers on Sunday when they resume operations after being closed amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
Inter-city buses will be limited to 20 passengers, inner city buses could accommodate up to 30 passengers and cabs will be required to only drive one person with the windows open.


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Canada, US are likely to extend travel restrictions until June 21

OTTAWA/WASHINGTON - Canada and the United States appear likely to extend a ban on non-essential travel until June 21 amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, sources in both nations said on Wednesday.The two neighbors had agreed on April 18 to extend border restrictions until May 21 as cases of the disease continue to rise in both nations. Canada is now pressing for the measures to remain for another month.“It’s too early to lift the restrictions, so we’re working toward an extension,” said one Canadian government source, describing the talks with Washington as positive.In Washington, a US official confirmed the two sides were set to agree on a 30-day extension.On Tuesday, the chief Canadian public health officer said the United States - where cases are increasing steadily - presented a risk.The sources requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation. News of the request for a 30-day extension was first reported by the Globe and Mail newspaper.The agreement allows the flow of goods across a border that stretches 8,891 km (5,525 miles) and is a crossing point for one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships.The United States takes 75% of all Canadian goods exports.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said talks about the border “are going well and we’re confident about being able to continue to keep Canadians safe”, adding that the overall collaboration with the United States had been exceptional.The US official said Washington and Mexico were also set to extend similar restrictions on non-essential travel. Separately, a Mexican government source said an extension for a limited period seemed likely.The total Canadian death toll edged up by just over 3% to 5,209 from 5,049 on Tuesday, official data showed on Wednesday. The data are another sign the outbreak is slowing whereas the situation in parts of the United States is more challenging.The Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec are adjacent to the state of New York, one of the US epicenters of the disease. Canadian officials have been repeatedly pressed about the potential risk posed by arriving truck drivers.


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--Nasrallah: Bennett is ‘lying,' presenting ‘imaginary feats’ in Syria

Nasrallah said that Bennett is presenting the public with “ imaginary feats in Syria ” and claimed Israel is carrying @ @ @ @ @ of precise missile .
He added that “ Syria should be proud in this production.
@ @ @ @ @ is currently reducing its scale of operations in Syria because of the extensive damages caused @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , but others argue that it is unlikely the Islamic Republic will abandon the @ @ @ @ @ Syria .

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah slammed Defense Minister Naftali Bennett on Wednesday, saying that he is lying to the Israeli public, Kan News reported.
Nasrallah said that Bennett is presenting the public with “imaginary feats in Syria” and claimed Israel is carrying out strikes against manufacturing sites of precise missile. He added that “Syria should be proud in this production.”
Several experts believe Iran is currently reducing its scale of operations in Syria because of the extensive damages caused to it by the coronavirus outbreak, but others argue that it is unlikely the Islamic Republic will abandon the foothold it now enjoys in Syria.


jerusalempost--2020-05-13--China willing to further cooperate with South Korea on coronavirus

HONG KONG - Chinese President Xi Jinping told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday that China is willing to @ @ @ @ @ on coronavirus prevention and control , state television CCTV reported .
The neighboring countries are @ @ @ @ @ against the coronavirus pandemic and ensured smooth operation of regional supply chain as shown in @ @ @ @ @ system for business travelers , the report quoted Xi as saying .
The cooperation include @ @ @ @ @ development , it said .

HONG KONG - Chinese President Xi Jinping told South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday that China is willing to further cooperate with South Korea on coronavirus prevention and control, state television CCTV reported.
The neighboring countries are effectively cooperating with each other against the coronavirus pandemic and ensured smooth operation of regional supply chain as shown in the "fast-track" entry system for business travelers, the report quoted Xi as saying.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Car ramming terror attack near Negohot, terrorist

After months of relative quiet in the West Bank, tensions have once again risen with three attacks against IDF troops which have taken place over the span of 48 hours. On Thursday afternoon, an IDF soldier was seriously injured after a Palestinian drove into him at high speed near the West Bank settlement of Negohot near Hebron. According to the IDF, the driver accelerated towards troops standing next to a military observation post outside the settlement in the Har Hebron Regional Council. The 21-year-old soldier, who was treated in the field by Magen David Adom paramedics, was evacuated to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba with injuries to his upper body, in moderate-serious condition. He was said to be stable and conscious. Soroka's spokesperson reported late Thursday that the soldier had undergone surgery and was suffering multisystem trauma.
The terrorist was shot and critically injured by troops who returned fire. He later succumbed to his wounds. According to Ynet, the 19-year-old Palestinian was from the Hebron area and left a suicide note in his pocket.
The attack comes days after 21-year-old Sergeant First Class Amit Ben Yigal was killed during an arrest raid in the Palestinian village of Yabed when a large rock was thrown at his head. The next morning, a 15-year-old Palestinian, Zaid Fadl Al-Qaysieh, was shot dead during clashes with IDF troops in the al-Fawar refugee camp.
According to the military, troops were met with a “violent riot” upon entering the refugee camp, and heard shots fired towards them. A soldier was also lightly wounded by a rock thrown at him. Four other Palestinians were wounded in the clashes in the refugee camp where the military said rioters had hurled stones and improvised explosive devices towards troops.
Several other clashes have occurred since the deadly attack in Yabed.
On Tuesday afternoon a Palestinian was shot after he jumped out of a truck at the Kalandiya crossing and attempted to stab a security officer. There were no injuries to Israeli security forces and the suspect was transferred to hospital for medical treatment.
The vehicular ramming attack on Thursday also comes a day before Palestinians commemorate Nakba (catastrophe) Day marking Israel’s creation on May 14th. Nakba Day is usually marked on May 15th with an increase of violence in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Defense officials have said that due to the continued coronavirus pandemic , Nakba Day would be relatively quiet. Nevertheless, both the IDF and the Palestinian Authority are on high alert for any violence that may erupt.
While there will likely not be any large-scale demonstrations, rallies are expected in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestinians are also turning towards virtual rallies, held over Zoom and other cellphone applications. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas himself also called for digital activities to mark the day.
“The Palestinian person is the most precious thing we possess, and therefore we work with all our efforts and potentials, even if they are few and modest, in order to protect him,” Abbas was quoted as saying by Wafa News Agency. “Perhaps what we did during this global crisis that the whole world is facing as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus is a clear example that the State of Palestine places the human being and his life above all considerations, and we were the first to do that.”
The IDF was also at a heightened state of alert in the West Bank during the height of the coronavirus.
The commander of the IDF’s Kfir Brigade, Col. Eran Oliel, told The Jerusalem Post in a recent interview that he held a meeting with officers in his brigade in April warning that Palestinians may use the pandemic to carry out an attack against Israeli citizens.
They prepared for such an option, deploying more troops to protect communities and roads and carrying out fewer operations in West Bank villages against Palestinian suspects.
Only when they “knew of a ticking bomb” did IDF carry out operations in the West Bank.
While there was a decrease in violence during the height of the pandemic, the IDF is starting to see an uptick in violent incidents, as tensions continue to rise as Israel plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
On Memorial Day, a 20 year-old Palestinian stabbed an elderly woman in the central city of Kfar Saba. A month earlier, a Palestinian is suspected of attempting to carry out a vehicular ramming attack after he accelerated his car into the Reihan checkpoint near the West Bank city of Jenin.
A week earlier, a border police officer was moderately wounded in a combined vehicular ramming and stabbing attack at a checkpoint at the Kiosk checkpoint in Abu Dis. The attacker was caught on camera ramming his truck into the officer before exiting the vehicle armed with scissors and stabbing him. He was shot and killed.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Virus-tracing apps must not be used for mass surveillance -EU says

Countries are rushing to develop mobile tracing apps , hoping smartphone technology could help bring about a reopening of borders @ @ @ @ @ a second wave of the pandemic .
`` Apps can not be used for mass @ @ @ @ @ control on their data , '' Reynders told EU lawmakers in a plenary sitting , @ @ @ @ @ risks that these apps could pose to privacy .

COVID-19 contact-tracing apps must only be used during the pandemic and will need to be automatically de-activated once the crisis is over, EU justice commissioner Didier Reynders said on Thursday in a bid to allay concerns over state surveillance.
Countries are rushing to develop mobile tracing apps, hoping smartphone technology could help bring about a reopening of borders and economic activity without unleashing a second wave of the pandemic.
"Apps cannot be used for mass surveillance. Individuals will keep control on their data," Reynders told EU lawmakers in a plenary sitting, as deputies reiterated concerns over risks that these apps could pose to privacy.
"Apps should be only used during the crisis and be deactivated at the latest when the pandemic is over," Reynders said, adding the de-activation should occur even if users forget to uninstall the applications.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Hungary could end emergency powers in late June

Hungary's government could end emergency powers obtained to fight the coronavirus pandemic in late June, depending on the evolution of the pandemic, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff said on Thursday.Gergely Gulyas also told an online press briefing earlier that the government was considering an easing of restrictions in Budapest from next week due to a decline in infections.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Coronavirus in Israel: 3,939 infected, 52 intubated

There are 3,939 active coronavirus cases in Israel, the Health Ministry announced Thursday morning.52 of those are in serious condition and are intubated.264 Israelis have so far died since the start of the pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Education system expected to open up fully on Sunday

The education system is expected to open up fully on Sunday in towns with a low rate of coronavirus patients, Ynet reported.The decision was reached in a meeting held between Prime Minister's Office director-general Ronen Peretz, and directors of the Education and Health Ministries as well as the head of the budgetary wing of the Finance Ministry.The decision will be brought to the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In municipalities where there is a high concentration of patients, the existing plan will continue as is.The Health Ministry has requested to bring back only kindergartens in municipalities with low concentrations of patients, but the Education and Finance Ministries demanded to apply the decision for all ages.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Armenia extends state of emergency over coronavirus until June 13

In early May , the government opened almost all sectors of the economy to allow people to return to work @ @ @ @ @ financial damage from the devastating outbreak .

Armenia on Thursday extended a state of emergency in the country over the coronavirus outbreak until June 13, the government said, after the number of new daily infections began rising at the end of April.
In early May, the government opened almost all sectors of the economy to allow people to return to work, who had been facing financial damage from the devastating outbreak.
The South Caucasus country of three million people has registered 3,860 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 49 deaths as of Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Russia coronavirus cases pass 250,000, lowest daily rise in over one week

Russia on Thursday reported 9,974 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, its lowest daily rise since May 2, bringing its nationwide tally to 252,245.Russia's coronavirus response center said 93 people died overnight, bringing the official death toll to 2,305.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--S.Korea to boost coronavirus tracing privacy amid fears of backlash

South Korean health authorities said on Thursday they would revise their practice of publicizing the travel routes of coronavirus patients due to fears of a backlash against people who attended nightclubs at the center of a new outbreak.After weeks of nearly no new domestic coronavirus cases, South Korea has seen a new spike in infections centered around nightclubs and bars in some of Seoul's most popular nightlife neighborhoods.Investigators have struggled to find around 2,000 people wanted for testing, an effort complicated by public criticism of the clubgoers, as well as concerns about discrimination as several of the clubs cater to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community.While clubs and bars were required to log the names and contact phone numbers for all visitors as a condition of reopening, much of the information turned out to be incomplete or false, officials said.That has left officials combing through cellphone location data and CCTV footage to try to identify some customers, while publicly pleading for people to come forward and be tested.Officials say they understand some individuals may fear social stigmatization, and have promised to try to reduce the amount of information usually released about confirmed patients.South Korea has typically released information like a patient's age, gender, and places visited immediately before testing positive, as well as in some cases, patients' last names and general occupations.About 2,000 people are still being sought by officials.“The health and quarantine authorities have expanded anonymous testing nationwide to prevent unnecessary violations of privacy," Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip said at a meeting of health authorities on Thursday, according to his office."In addition, we plan to revise the guidelines to prevent excessive disclosure of a patient's travel itinerary."People who ignore calls to be tested can face a fine of up to 2 million won ($1,630), health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho told a briefing.South Korea reported 29 new cases as of midnight Wednesday, bringing the country's total to 10,991 with 260 deaths.Of those new cases, 20 were linked to the outbreak from the clubs in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood. A total of 131 cases have been linked to that outbreak, including clubgoers as well as secondary infections in family members, coworkers, and students.In one case, a young man who visited a club is accused of not disclosing his work at a school in the nearby city of Incheon.After officials used cellphone data to discover his workplace, they confirmed at least 11 related infections, including among the man's students.That case has also led to 1,700 people in Incheon being tested and quarantined after some of the students went to church on Sunday.The cluster of infections in Itaewon and other nightlife spots came as the country was easing social distancing guidelines, and the cases led to public criticism of both the clubgoers as well as health officials who allowed the clubs to reopen."I think the authorities missed these venues," said Kim Dong-hyun, president of Korean Society of Epidemiology. "They had grounds to suspend operations of the facilities earlier, but it's unclear why they didn't."South Korean media reported that some of the restaurants and other businesses in Itaewon have had to stop trading for the first time in 20 years, and some taxi drivers are refusing to take passengers to or from the neighborhood.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Pompeo: Israeli government will decide on annexation

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Radio Kan Bet about the tensions with Iran and Israeli plans to annex the West Bank.On Iran he stated that: "These are tough times all over the world, but this is an important relationship in an important time. I spoke with [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [Benny] Gantz about many and broad subjects, dealing with Iran and extending the weapon embargo on them."On the topic of annexation, Pompeo said that, "The Israeli government will decide on the matter, on exactly when and how to do it. I hope the Palestinians understand that peace is good for them."


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Vietnam reports 24 new coronavirus cases, all imported; cases pass 300

Vietnam reported 24 new coronavirus infections on Friday , all of which were imported cases involving Vietnamese citizens returning from @ @ @ @ @ quarantine on arrival , the country 's health ministry said .
The Southeast Asian country @ @ @ @ @ a domestically transmitted infection and has registered a total of 312 cases , with no @ @ @ @ @ .

Vietnam reported 24 new coronavirus infections on Friday, all of which were imported cases involving Vietnamese citizens returning from Russia who were placed under quarantine on arrival, the country's health ministry said.
The Southeast Asian country has gone 29 days without a domestically transmitted infection and has registered a total of 312 cases, with no deaths, the ministry said.
Over 90% of Vietnam's confirmed cases have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--China reports four new coronavirus cases, up from three a day earlier

All of the new cases were locally transmitted , the National Health Commission said in a statement on Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ cases fell slightly to 11 from 12 a day earlier .
The total number of @ @ @ @ @ while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,633 .

All of the new cases were locally transmitted, the National Health Commission said in a statement on Friday.
The number of new asymptomatic cases fell slightly to 11 from 12 a day earlier.
The total number of cases now stands at 82,933 while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,633.
China reported four new coronavirus cases for May 14, up from three cases a day earlier, the country's health commission said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--US says Islamic State conducted attack on Kabul hospital

`` Rather than falling into the ISIS trap and delay peace or create obstacles , Afghans must come together to @ @ @ @ @ a historic peace opportunity , '' he said on Twitter .

The United States on Thursday blamed Islamic State terrorists -- not the Taliban -- for a gruesome hospital attack in Afghanistan this week that killed two newborn babies, and it renewed calls for Afghans to embrace a troubled peace push with the Taliban insurgency.
But it was unclear if the US declaration would be enough to bolster the peace effort and reverse a decision by the Kabul government to resume offensive operations against the Taliban.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ordered the military on Tuesday to switch to "offensive mode" against the Taliban following the hospital attack in Kabul and a suicide bombing in Nangarhar province that killed scores of people.
US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad blamed Islamic State for both attacks in a statement issued on Twitter, saying the group opposed any Taliban peace agreement and sought to trigger an Iraq-style sectarian war in Afghanistan.
"Rather than falling into the ISIS trap and delay peace or create obstacles, Afghans must come together to crush this menace and pursue a historic peace opportunity," Khalilzad said.
"No more excuses. Afghans, and the world, deserve better."
An affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for the Nangarhar bombing, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. No one has claimed the hospital attack.
The Taliban denied involvement in either attacks, but the government accused the group of fostering an environment in which terrorism thrives or of working with other terrorist groups who could have been involved, straining US efforts to bring the insurgents and Afghan government together.
The attacks were another setback to US President Donald Trump's stalled plans to bring peace to Afghanistan and end America's longest war.
A Feb. 29 US-Taliban deal called for a phased US troop withdrawal and for the Afghan government and Taliban to release some prisoners by March 10, when peace talks were to start.
Intra-Afghan peace talks have yet to occur and there is some bitterness within the Afghan government, which was not a party to the Feb. 29 deal, that the United States undercut their leverage by negotiating directly with the Taliban.
Ghani's decision to revive offensive operations is supported by many opposition figures, who believe Washington's sole focus is to keep the US troop withdrawal plan on track to help Trump win a second term in the Nov. 3 US presidential election.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Brazil registers record 13,944 new coronavirus cases on Thursday

Brazil has now tallied 202,918 confirmed cases of the virus since the outbreak began and 13,933 deaths .

Brazil has now tallied 202,918 confirmed cases of the virus since the outbreak began and 13,933 deaths.
Brazil registered a daily record 13,944 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday and 844 additional deaths, according to health ministry data.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Peretz entering government as minister of Jerusalem affairs and heritage

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Bayit Yehudi leader Rafi Peretz signed a coalition agreement overnight Friday.Peretz will serve as minister of Jerusalem affairs and heritage, the post that was sought by two Likud ministers.Peretz will be responsible for religious Zionist education. Peretz will also join the Likud faction in the Knesset.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Baltics launch Europe's first pandemic 'travel bubble' as curbs ease

Citizens and residents of the three generally sparsely populated Baltic nations will be free to travel within the region , though anyone entering from outside will need to self-isolate for 14 days .
`` The Baltic Travel Bubble is an opportunity for businesses to reopen , and a glimmer of hope for the people that life is getting back to normal , '' Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said in a statement .
The move by the Baltic neighbours comes as the EU executive seeks to coax the 27 member states to reopen internal borders and restart wider travel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks on airplanes .
New coronavirus infections in the three Baltic republics have now slowed to a trickle with none of the countries reporting more than seven new cases on Wednesday , and authorities have loosened lockdowns since late April .
The region as a whole has recorded fewer than 150 deaths from the disease - far below individual larger euro zone countries such as Italy , Spain , France or Germany .
`` The Baltic states are close partners , have a similar epidemiological situation and their economies are well integrated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as goods is very important for the region , '' said Arnoldas Pranckevicius , the European Commission representative in Lithuania .
`` Opening the borders is up to the member states , and the European Commission expects them to talk to each other , to coordinate their actions and to not discriminate against nationals of other EU members . ''
Lithuania , Latvia and Estonia - the three poorest members of the euro zone - expect their economies to shrink by 7-8 percent this year , in line with the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a `` double digit '' drop if economies are not reopened by the summer .
Estonia has given an emergency loan 100 million euros ( $ 108 million ) to Baltic Sea shipping firm Tallink , badly hit by the region 's lockdowns , while Lithuania is setting up a state-run facility to provide loans or assume assets of key companies if they do not survive the crisis .
The Baltic countries were quick to close their borders and impose lockdown measures to slow the spread of the virus .
`` There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the border will cause the spread of the virus , '' Estonian Interior Minister Mart Helme said .
Travel restrictions were eased between Finland and Estonia , as well as between Poland and Lithuania , this week , but only for those on the move for business or education .
But neither Poland nor Finland are rushing join the full `` travel union '' with their Baltic neighbours as yet , despite an invitation to do so .
`` At first glance , I think that , for instance , Poland and Finland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said .
Poland and Finland have also reported relatively low numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths .

Citizens and residents of the three generally sparsely populated Baltic nations will be free to travel within the region, though anyone entering from outside will need to self-isolate for 14 days.
"The Baltic Travel Bubble is an opportunity for businesses to reopen, and a glimmer of hope for the people that life is getting back to normal," Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis said in a statement.
The move by the Baltic neighbours comes as the EU executive seeks to coax the 27 member states to reopen internal borders and restart wider travel, albeit with safety measures such as face masks on airplanes.
New coronavirus infections in the three Baltic republics have now slowed to a trickle with none of the countries reporting more than seven new cases on Wednesday, and authorities have loosened lockdowns since late April.
The region as a whole has recorded fewer than 150 deaths from the disease - far below individual larger euro zone countries such as Italy, Spain, France or Germany.
"The Baltic states are close partners, have a similar epidemiological situation and their economies are well integrated, so the free movement of people as well as goods is very important for the region," said Arnoldas Pranckevicius, the European Commission representative in Lithuania.
"Opening the borders is up to the member states, and the European Commission expects them to talk to each other, to coordinate their actions and to not discriminate against nationals of other EU members."
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia - the three poorest members of the euro zone - expect their economies to shrink by 7-8 percent this year, in line with the rest of the currency union. Lithuania has warned of a "double digit" drop if economies are not reopened by the summer.
Estonia has given an emergency loan 100 million euros ($108 million) to Baltic Sea shipping firm Tallink, badly hit by the region's lockdowns, while Lithuania is setting up a state-run facility to provide loans or assume assets of key companies if they do not survive the crisis.
The Baltic countries were quick to close their borders and impose lockdown measures to slow the spread of the virus.
"There is no reason to fear that opening the border will cause the spread of the virus," Estonian Interior Minister Mart Helme said.
Travel restrictions were eased between Finland and Estonia, as well as between Poland and Lithuania, this week, but only for those on the move for business or education.
But neither Poland nor Finland are rushing join the full "travel union" with their Baltic neighbours as yet, despite an invitation to do so.
"At first glance, I think that, for instance, Poland and Finland would be logical and potentially good candidates," Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said.
Poland and Finland have also reported relatively low numbers of coronavirus infections and deaths.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia opened their borders to each other at the stroke of midnight on Friday, creating the first "travel bubble" within the European Union in a bid to jump-start economies broken down by the coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--House Democrat wants US airlines to cap seating because of coronavirus

In a letter to a group representing major airlines including Delta Air Lines , American Airlines , Southwest Airlines and @ @ @ @ @ DeFazio said airlines should `` leave at least one seat-width of spacing between passengers and @ @ @ @ @ needed to account for the effect on load factors . ''

In a letter to a group representing major airlines including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, Representative Peter DeFazio said airlines should "leave at least one seat-width of spacing between passengers and to dynamically adjust fares as needed to account for the effect on load factors."
The chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday urged US airlines to maintain at least one seat between all passengers and cap seating at 67% of capacity on narrow-body airplanes to address the coronavirus pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Qatar: Wearing masks outside mandatory with violators fined up to $50,000

Violators could also be jailed up to three years , or either of those punishments , according to a statement @ @ @ @ @ account .
The statement added that the only exception will be if the person is @ @ @ @ @ .

Qatar's interior ministry announced on Thursday that wearing masks will be mandatory to go outside starting Sunday, and those who do not comply will be fined up to 200,000 riyals ($53,000).
Violators could also be jailed up to three years, or either of those punishments, according to a statement on the ministry's Twitter account.
The statement added that the only exception will be if the person is alone driving in a vehicle.
Qatar reported 1,733 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours for a total of 28,272 cases and a total of 14 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--US CDC issues guidelines on how to reopen schools, transit and workplaces

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday issued guidelines to help schools and workplaces determine whether they are ready to open for business.The six so-called "decision trees" cover yes or no scenarios that are aimed to help assess readiness for opening workplaces, restaurants and bars, mass transit, childcare, camps and schools.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Lufthansa announces resumption of flights to Israel

The company will operate six weekly flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Tel Aviv , beginning as early as June @ @ @ @ @ Austrian Airlines , which belongs to Lufthansa , has not officially released a statement on @ @ @ @ @

The company will operate six weekly flights from Frankfurt and Munich to Tel Aviv, beginning as early as June in a limited manner.
Austrian Airlines, which belongs to Lufthansa, has not officially released a statement on returning to flight operations.
Lufthansa, Germany's flag carrier, announced late Thursday a resumption of flights to Tel Aviv, following months of cancelled flights and limited international travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Mako news report.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Grave of killed IDF soldier sabotaged, guards placed to protect it

The grave of St.-Sgt .
Amit Ben Yigal , who was killed in a West Bank operation on Monday night @ @ @ @ @ , according to the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit .
Digging marks were found on the @ @ @ @ @ Be'er Ya'acov , and the late soldier ’ s father was called to the scene @ @ @ @ @ IDF Rabbinical Corps and other IDF officials to ensure Ben Yigal 's remains was not @ @ @ @ @ police began an investigation into the matter and a Golani soldiers were placed as guards @ @ @ @ @ tomb is being sealed .

The grave of St.-Sgt. Amit Ben Yigal, who was killed in a West Bank operation on Monday night, was sabotaged on Thursday, according to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.
Digging marks were found on the grave, which is in Be'er Ya'acov, and the late soldier’s father was called to the scene with a member of the IDF Rabbinical Corps and other IDF officials to ensure Ben Yigal's remains was not disturbed.
The IDF and police began an investigation into the matter and a Golani soldiers were placed as guards at the scene while the tomb is being sealed.
Officers from the IDF unit of that oversees Military Cemeteries, are in touch with the parents of the fallen soldier during this difficult time.The Defense Ministry expressed outrage over the incident and reported the family will be given all the help it needs.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--NIH to study malaria drug championed by President Trump against COVID-19

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Thursday it began a study to evaluate the combination of antibiotic azithromycin and malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which was previously touted by US President Donald Trump as a "game changer," for the treatment of COVID-19.The mid-stage study, for which Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd will be donating medicines, will assess whether the combination can prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus.The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH, is sponsoring the trial, which is being conducted by the NIAID-funded AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)."Although there is anecdotal evidence that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin may benefit people with COVID-19, we need solid data from a large randomized, controlled clinical trial to determine whether this experimental treatment is safe and can improve clinical outcomes," NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said on Thursday.The announcement comes after the US Department of Health and Human Services had last month replaced Rick Bright as director of a key U.S. agency charged with developing drugs and vaccines for COVID-19.Bright had said he was ousted as director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, because he resisted efforts to push hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine to treat COVID-19 as their effectiveness had not been demonstrated.The NIH's latest study will enroll about 2,000 adults at clinical sites across the country, with many of those expected to be 60 years of age or older or have a comorbidity associated with developing serious complications from COVID-19, such as a cardiovascular disease or diabetes.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration had last month warned against the use of the malaria drugs, hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, in COVID-19 patients due to the risk of serious heart rhythm problems.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Previous A-Gs stand behind Avichai Mandelblit against threats

In a public letter released on Thursday , previous attorneys-general and state-attorneys voiced their support of current Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit @ @ @ @ @ with police on Wednesday , saying he and his family were being threatened via phone.They @ @ @ @ @ for “ filling a role essential to democracy ” and voiced their expectation that state @ @ @ @ @ fierce denouncement ” of the threats .

In a public letter released on Thursday, previous attorneys-general and state-attorneys voiced their support of current Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit after he filed a complaint with police on Wednesday, saying he and his family were being threatened via phone.They expressed support to the attorney-general for “filling a role essential to democracy” and voiced their expectation that state leadership will voice its “fierce denouncement” of the threats.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--'Norwegian law’ presented to the coalition in Knesset

The so-called `` Norwegian law '' was presented to the Knesset on Thursday evening to the parties that compose the @ @ @ @ @ release on behalf of the Knesset reported .
The law ensures that when ministers resign @ @ @ @ @ members of their own party .
The law will enable ministers to resign without fearing @ @ @ @ @ given to someone from another party , which was a concern as Likud head , @ @ @ @ @ , has entered a prime ministerial rotation with and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz @

The so-called "Norwegian law" was presented to the Knesset on Thursday evening to the parties that compose the coalition government, a press release on behalf of the Knesset reported.
The law ensures that when ministers resign, they are replaced by members of their own party.
The law will enable ministers to resign without fearing that their position will be given to someone from another party, which was a concern as Likud head, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has entered a prime ministerial rotation with and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Regev to become Israel's first female transportation minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev released a joint statement on Thursday announcing Regev will @ @ @ @ @ minister , and after a year and a half she will become foreign affairs minister @ @ @ @ @ when Blue and White leader Benny Gantz replaces Netanyahu as prime minister .
Netanyahu lauded @ @ @ @ @ the first woman to fill the position of transportation minister .
He also said she @ @ @ @ @ “ make reforms ” and added that she will also serve on the judge 's @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu and said she is ready to face the challenges of public transportation in the @ @ @ @ @ fight against traffic accidents .
She vowed to “ strengthen Israel ’ s position in @ @ @ @ @ the role of foreign affairs minister .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev released a joint statement on Thursday announcing Regev will serve as the next transportation minister, and after a year and a half she will become foreign affairs minister. This change will occur when Blue and White leader Benny Gantz replaces Netanyahu as prime minister.
Netanyahu lauded her for making history as the first woman to fill the position of transportation minister. He also said she had proven her abilities to “make reforms” and added that she will also serve on the judge's elections committee.
Regev thanked Netanyahu and said she is ready to face the challenges of public transportation in the country as well as the fight against traffic accidents. She vowed to “strengthen Israel’s position in the international arena” in the role of foreign affairs minister.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Levin withdraws resignation from tourism ministry

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin withdrew his resignation on Thursday after the government was not sworn in as expected and the @ @ @ @ @ Sunday .
Levin is expected to serve as the next Knesset speaker , a post @ @ @ @ @ White leader Benny Gantz .
Gantz will serve in the next government as the designated @ @ @ @ @ of his rotation agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , and as the defense minister @ @ @ @ @ own resignation from the position of Knesset speaker on Thursday , seeing as the government @ @ @ @ @ Netanyahu asked for the extra time to address members of his own Likud party who @ @ @ @ @ divided in a way that makes sense to them .

Tourism Minister Yariv Levin withdrew his resignation on Thursday after the government was not sworn in as expected and the swearing-in date was postponed to Sunday.
Levin is expected to serve as the next Knesset speaker, a post currently filled by Blue and White leader Benny Gantz.
Gantz will serve in the next government as the designated second prime minister as part of his rotation agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and as the defense minister.
Gantz also withdrew his own resignation from the position of Knesset speaker on Thursday, seeing as the government was not sworn in.
Netanyahu asked for the extra time to address members of his own Likud party who feel various positions were not divided in a way that makes sense to them.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--US condemns attempts by 'cyber actors' to steal COVID-19 research

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WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday condemned attempts by China-linked "cyber actors and non-traditional collectors affiliated" to steal US intellectual property and data related to coronavirus research, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said."The PRC’s behavior in cyberspace is an extension of its counterproductive actions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," Pompeo said in a statement."While the United States and our allies and partners are coordinating a collective, transparent response to save lives, the PRC continues to silence scientists, journalists, and citizens, and to spread disinformation, which has exacerbated the dangers of this health crisis," he said.Pompeo's comments came a day after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement to raise awareness against what they called threats to coronavirus-related research from actors related to China.It said the FBI was investigating digital break-ins at US organizations by China-linked "cyber actors" that it had monitored "attempting to identify and illicitly obtain valuable intellectual property (IP) and public health data related to vaccines, treatments, and testing from networks and personnel affiliated with COVID-19-related research."The FBI-Homeland Security statement offered no further details on the identities of the targets or the hackers. The Chinese Embassy in Washington condemned the allegations as "lies."Pompeo has been among the Trump administration oustpoken critics of China, accusing it of covering up the earlier days of the outbreak and refusing to share information as ties between Washington and Beijing have sharply deteriorated.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--MK Orit Farkash Hacohen to serve as strategic affairs minister

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed MK Orit Farkash Hacohen was as strategic affairs minister on Thursday.The ministry will enable Farkash-Hacohen to fight global antisemitism as well as groups that wish to boycott the Jewish state.She will also serve in two cabinets, the Security Cabinet and the Social Cabinet.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Bennett: There is no negotiation going on with Likud, it’s all spin

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said at a press conference on Thursday that all reports about a negotiation between his party @ @ @ @ @ are “ spin ” and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “ no intention of @ @ @ @ @ coalition ] .
” Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said the swearing-in @ @ @ @ @ be postponed until Sunday , leading some to hope that Yamina might eventually join it @

Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said at a press conference on Thursday that all reports about a negotiation between his party, Yamina, and Likud are “spin” and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “no intention of letting us into [the coalition].”
Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said the swearing-in of the new government will be postponed until Sunday, leading some to hope that Yamina might eventually join it.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Netanyahu, Gantz announce government will be sworn in on Sunday

The swearing in of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz's new government will be delayed until Sunday, Netanyahu and Gantz announced on Thursday evening.The delay came due to the logjam of ministerial hopefuls in Likud.Netanyahu was supposed to announce the list of his cabinet ministers at 6 p.m. Thursday evening and they were supposed to be sworn in later at night.But Likud ministers complained about the portfolios they were offered by Netanyahu. They also complained that the head of the Likud's negotiating team, outgoing tourism minister Yariv Levin, did not leave the party enough portfolios after coalition deals with other factions in the Knesset.Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi and Deputy Defense Minister Avi Dichter, were not invited to meet with Netanyahu about their next roles, announced that they would boycott the vote of confidence in the government that had been set for late Thursday night."I guess I am not needed in the Knesset, so Shabbat shalom," Hanegbi wrote on social media.Dichter said by not inviting him, Netanyahu was "spitting in the face of the 130,000 Likud members" who voted for him.Likud ministers who have complained about what they were offered included Gila Gamliel, David Amsalem, Ze'ev Elkin, Nir Barkat and Yoav Galant."Those who flattered Netanyahu got jobs and those who are professionals and have done their job well have come up empty," a Likud minister was quoted as saying.Netanyahu did promote two ministers considered very close to him. Outgoing Justice Minister Amir Ohana will be public security minister. Outgoing Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev will be transportation minister in the first half of the term and despite her poor English, foreign minister in the second half.Gantz rescinded his resignation from his role as Knesset speaker after the vote on a new Knesset speaker and the swearing in of the government were delayed.Gantz made history on Thursday, when he told MK Pnina Tamano-Shata that she will become the first Ethiopian-born minister in Israel's history.Tamano-Shata, who will be minister of immigrant absorption, came to Israel in Operation Moses when she was three years old. Gantz took part in the operation.The highest-ranking woman in Blue and White, MK Miki Haimovich, will not be a minister at the start of the government. Gantz met with Haimovich on Thursday morning and offered her ministerial posts, but she told him she preferred to head the Knesset's Interior and Environmental Affairs Committee.Haimovich, a former news anchor, has focused on environmental issues, but the Likud insisted on keeping the Environmental Protection portfolio because of the Likud's opposition to Haimovich's views.Gantz appointed MK Alon Schuster as Agriculture Minister on Thursday morning. Schuster is a farmer from Kibbutz Mefalsim and former mayor of the Shaar Hanegev regional council.MK Chili Tropper was appointed by Gantz as the minister of culture and sports in the upcoming government.As expected, when Gantz met with MK Gabi Ashkenazi, he officially gave him the Foreign Affairs portfolio, and when meeting MK Avi Nisenkorn, he gave him the Justice Ministry.Gantz gave the Science and Technology portfolio to MK Izhar Shai, a former hi-tech executive.Gantz appointed MK Meirav Cohen as social equality minister. As part of her duties she will be in charge of protecting the rights of Holocaust survivors.Cohen will replace the current minister in that office, Gila Gamliel.MK Assaf Zamir will be tourism minister, MK Orit Farkash Hacohen strategic affairs minister and Omer Yankelevich minister of Diaspora affairs. MK Michael Biton will be a second minister in the Defense Ministry along with Gantz and will handle civilian issues.Yankelevich is the first haredi (ultra-Orthodox) woman to be a minister.Bayit Yehudi leader Rafi Peretz abandoned the Yamina alliance of right-wing religious parties and decided to join the new government instead of heading to the opposition benches.It originally appeared that Peretz would receive become minister of Jerusalem Affairs and National Projects, but Netanyahu backtracked on that promise.As of Thursday evening it was still unclear what if any position Peretz would get, and even if he would end up in the government at all.A spokesman declined to comment.Peretz decision to split from his party caused consternation amongst the party, although its leaders were somewhat reticent to strongly criticize him. Peretz told his colleagues that he disagreed with their decision not to enter the coalition and that in a time of emergency, it is essential to take part in a unity government.With Peretz, Netanyahu's coalition will have 73 MKs. The remaining five Yamina MKs will be in the opposition.Reports emerged that Peretz was trying to merge Bayit Yehudi into the Likud party which would then cover part of the religious party’s sizeable debts, although senior party members and activists could not confirm this.Following Peretz’s decision, Smotrich disparagingly tweeted a picture of a Mitsubishi car keys in reference to the ministerial cars that ministers are chauffeured in.He also wrote on Facebook that Netanyahu was humiliating Peretz and disrespecting the religious-Zionist community at the same time, by backtracking on his promise of the Jerusalem ministry, saying that after having treated Yamina poorly during the coalition negotiations he could have repaired the damage by giving Peretz a senior ministerial position.“But Netanyahu so completely disregards the religious-Zionist community that is making Rabbi Rafi crawl all night and continues to humiliate him with the offer of some fake ministry for nothing affairs,” wrote the outgoing transportation minister.Eli Ben-Dahan, who served as a Bayit Yehudi MK from 2013 to the end of last government, strongly condemned Peretz’s decision however, describing it as a the latest in a long line of broken promises.“Public representatives need to act with honor and respect agreements and pledges they make, Rabbi Rafi has not honored what he has committed to,” Ben Dahan told the Post.Technically Peretz’s decision needs to be approved by the Bayit Yehudi central committee but there seems little chance he will convene it for this purpose.It is possible that central committee members will appeal any failure to gain its approval to first the party court and then beyond to the state courts, but such a process looks unlikely to be successful.Large numbers of central committee members have been furious with Peretz for months for refusing to allow a primary challenge to his leadership, refusing to allow primaries for the party list, and ejecting former MK Moti Yogev from the party list, amongst other perceived misdeeds.On Thursday evening, Bennett, Smotrich and Shaked held a press conference where they further castigated Netanyahu, especially over what they claimed was the removal of clauses in the Likud’s coalition agreement with Blue and White to annex the settlements.“Netanyahu promised time and again he would apply sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, it was the promise of the elections, but Gantz and Ashkenazi threatened Netanyahu and he capitulated and erased it from the foundational principles [of the coalition agreement],” said Bennett.Bennett also attacked Netanyahu for what the failure to insist on reforms to the judicial system which Bennett and Yamina have strongly pushed.“There was choice between Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc and Netanyahu chose Netanyahu,” said the Yamina leader.The Likud flatly denied that the clause has been removed and said they would be going ahead with the annexation while Bennett would be sitting on the sidelines “with Lapid, Liberman, and Yazbek.”Presumptive opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid) said the government was "broken and was being formed in a way that is broken." He said that what happened with the government was a farce, but he said he is glad the government was not formed on May 14, the anniversary of the founding of the state.Meretz faction chairwoman Tamar Zandberg said "the formation of the government was being handled in a way that is as twisted as the government being formed."


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Prime Minister Netanyahu approves plan to reopen schools

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he approved a plan to reopen schools. The plan was created by the Prime Minister's Office director-general Ronen Peretz, the National Security Council, the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry, the Finance Ministry and heads of municipalities and local authorities.Schools will be given specific hygienic requirements in accordance with the Health Ministry's directives.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Georgia: Flights between here and Israel will be first to resume

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia said Israel will likely be the first country with whom his nation will resume @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Gakharia added that the tourism ministries in both nations are engaged in dialog @ @ @ @ @ will allow Israelis who fly into the country not to be placed in quarantine Israel @ @ @ @ @ to The Jerusalem Post that such negotiations are taking place , `` as part of @ @ @ @ @ allowing the flights and tourism sector to operate again . ''
The ministry added that @ @ @ @ @ beginning with no final end-dates . ''
Israeli media reported that various countries , among @ @ @ @ @ are looking into the option of declaring some nations safe from coronavirus to allow tourists @ @ @ @ @ , Israel is among such countries .

Prime Minister of Georgia Giorgi Gakharia said Israel will likely be the first country with whom his nation will resume flights, Kan reported on Thursday.
Gakharia added that the tourism ministries in both nations are engaged in dialog to form an agreement which will allow Israelis who fly into the country not to be placed in quarantine
Israel’s Tourism Ministry confirmed to The Jerusalem Post that such negotiations are taking place, "as part of the national effort to begin allowing the flights and tourism sector to operate again."
The ministry added that "this process is only beginning with no final end-dates."
Israeli media reported that various countries, among them Austria and Greece, are looking into the option of declaring some nations safe from coronavirus to allow tourists to travel back and forth, Israel is among such countries.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Meirav Cohen to be made social equality minister

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Blue and White MK Meirav Cohen as social equality minister on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ she will be in charge of protecting the rights of Holocaust survivors .
Cohen will @ @ @ @ @ that office , Gila Gamliel .

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Blue and White MK Meirav Cohen as social equality minister on Thursday. As part of her duties she will be in charge of protecting the rights of Holocaust survivors.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Yoaz Hendel to serve as communication minister

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Derekh Eretz MK Yoaz Hendel to the position of communication minister on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ sister publication Maariv reported .

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Derekh Eretz MK Yoaz Hendel to the position of communication minister on Thursday, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv reported.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Gantz appoints Ginzburg to head of Knesset Committee

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Blue and White MK Eitan Ginzburg as head of the Knesset Committee , @ @ @ @ @ the Knesset and the formation of specific committees within it .
Ginzburg will be replacing @ @ @ @ @ Nissenkorn in this position .

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz appointed Blue and White MK Eitan Ginzburg as head of the Knesset Committee, which oversees the functioning of the Knesset and the formation of specific committees within it.


jerusalempost--2020-05-14--Opposition presents wheelchair-bound candidate for speaker

Yesh Atid will present MK Katine Elharrar as its candidate for Knesset speaker in a vote on Thursday night. She would be the first speaker who uses a wheelchair if chosen by her peers. Ta'al party leader Ahmad Tibi will also run for the office of Knesset Speaker.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant, outgoing tourism minister Yariv Levin, is expected to be elected in the vote in the Knesset.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Miri Regev to become Israel's first female transportation minister


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Nevada

6.4 magnitude earthquake hits Nevada

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck 57 km west-northwest of Tonopah in Nevada on Friday, the US Geological Survey said.The quake was at a depth of 7.6 km, it added.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Blast hits chemical plant near Venice, Italy

The local Corriere del Veneto newspaper reported that a worker had been injured in the blast , which occurred in @ @ @ @ @ the mainland , a few kilometres from the historic centre of the lagoon city .

An explosion at a chemicals plant in an industrial zone in Venice sent clouds of black smoke and flames into the sky on Friday, prompting local authorities to order residents to stay inside and close doors and windows.
The local Corriere del Veneto newspaper reported that a worker had been injured in the blast, which occurred in the Porto Marghera area on the mainland, a few kilometres from the historic centre of the lagoon city.
Ambulances and fire services were at the scene and television footage showed clouds of thick black smoke visible from several kilometres away.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Turkey detains 38 people over suspected links to armed attack

The attack on Thursday targeted two municipality personnel and a civilian returning from distributing aid to a neighborhood placed under @ @ @ @ @ to curb the coronavirus outbreak .
Turkey 's communication director Fahrettin Altun and other officials @ @ @ @ @ ( PKK ) for carrying out the attack .

Turkish authorities have detained 38 people including the local head of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in relation to an armed attack which killed two people in the eastern province of Van, governor's office said on Friday.
The attack on Thursday targeted two municipality personnel and a civilian returning from distributing aid to a neighborhood placed under quarantine as part of measures to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
Turkey's communication director Fahrettin Altun and other officials blamed the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for carrying out the attack.
The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--David Amsalem appointed ministerial liaison to Knesset

Former Coalition Head MK David Amsalem ( Likud ) was appointed ministerial liaison to the Knesset , Prime Minister Benjamin @ @ @ @ @ morning .
According to the Prime Minister 's Office , Amsalem will be overseeing Israel @ @ @ @ @ civil service departments , as well as the Finance Ministry 's State Companies Department , @ @ @ @ @ offers .

Former Coalition Head MK David Amsalem (Likud) was appointed ministerial liaison to the Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Friday morning.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Amsalem will be overseeing Israel's budget, cyber and civil service departments, as well as the Finance Ministry's State Companies Department, responsible for regulation and tender offers.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Israeli biological institute patents eight coronavirus antibodies

That scientific breakthrough had three key parameters : The antibody is monoclonal , new and refined , and contains an exceptionally low proportion of harmful proteins ; the institute has demonstrated the ability of the antibody to neutralize the novel coronavirus ; and the antibody was specifically tested on the aggressive coronavirus .
“ Based on comprehensive scientific publications from around the globe , it appears that the IIBR is the first institution to achieve a scientific breakthrough that meets all three of the aforementioned parameters simultaneously , ” the Defense Ministry said in a statement on behalf of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in plasma collection from people who have recovered from being infected with the new coronavirus in the hope that this might help research .
IIBR operates under the auspices of the Prime Minister ’ s Office and works closely with the Defense Ministry , and most of its work is guarded and under military censorship .
Last month , IIBR announced that it had begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine prototype on rodents , after the institute was personally asked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the fight against the pandemic in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collection from people who have recovered from being infected with the new coronavirus in the hope that this might help research.IIBR operates under the auspices of the Prime Minister ’ s Office and works closely with the Defense Ministry , and most of its work is guarded and under military censorship .

The Israel Institute for Biological Research has filed patent requests for eight types of coronavirus antibodies that it has isolated, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Friday. The antibodies will be used for the development of a future drug to treat the disease caused by COVID-19.Bennett said he was briefed on the development by Shmuel Shapira, who heads IIBR’s Ness Ziona facility. He called the move “another important step in developing a cure. IIBR is working around the clock to find a life-saving solution.”Earlier this month, the Defense Ministry revealed that IIBR had completed a groundbreaking scientific development, identifying an antibody that neutralizes the coronavirus , a development that Bennett called “a major breakthrough.”That scientific breakthrough had three key parameters: The antibody is monoclonal, new and refined, and contains an exceptionally low proportion of harmful proteins; the institute has demonstrated the ability of the antibody to neutralize the novel coronavirus; and the antibody was specifically tested on the aggressive coronavirus.“Based on comprehensive scientific publications from around the globe, it appears that the IIBR is the first institution to achieve a scientific breakthrough that meets all three of the aforementioned parameters simultaneously,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement on behalf of the institute.Last month, IIBR announced it had begun testing a COVID-19 vaccine prototype on rodents, after the institute was personally asked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to join the fight against the pandemic in early February.The institute is also involved in plasma collection from people who have recovered from being infected with the new coronavirus in the hope that this might help research.IIBR operates under the auspices of the Prime Minister’s Office and works closely with the Defense Ministry. Most of its work is guarded and under military censorship.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Coronavirus: Russia records 10,598 new cases

Russia on Friday reported 10,598 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide case tally to 262,843.Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 113 people had died over the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll from the virus to 2,418.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--China: Coronavirus risks from imported cases 'controllable'

China reported four new coronavirus cases on the mainland on May 14 , all of them locally transmitted .
China @ @ @ @ @ entering its borders since late March as the pandemic spread globally .

The risk of a COVID-19 resurgence in China from so-called imported infections is controllable, an official of the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Friday.
China reported four new coronavirus cases on the mainland on May 14, all of them locally transmitted. China has banned most foreigners from entering its borders since late March as the pandemic spread globally.
NHC Vice Minister Zeng Yixin also told reporters during a briefing that some COVID-19 vaccines are set to complete their second-phase clinical trials in July.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Clashes erupt in Yabad as IDF raid village to arrest soldier's killer

Clashes erupted in Yabed as the IDF raided the village Friday morning to arrest the suspected killer of St.-Sgt .
@ @ @ @ @ reported .
The 21-year-old sergeant was the only IDF soldier to have been killed since @ @ @ @ @ .
Yigal 's killer is being searched for by Shin Bet and the IDF , @ @ @ @ @ alert amid further attempted attacks on soldiers .

Clashes erupted in Yabed as the IDF raided the village Friday morning to arrest the suspected killer of St.-Sgt. Amit Ben Yigal, Walla reported.
The 21-year-old sergeant was the only IDF soldier to have been killed since the beginning of the year.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Taiwan rejects China's main condition for WHO participation

TAIPEI - Taiwan 's health minister rejected on Friday China 's main condition for the island to be able to take part in the World Health Organization ( WHO ) - that it accepts it is part of China - ahead of a key meeting of the body during a pandemic .
Non-WHO member Taiwan has lobbied to take part as an observer in next week 's World Heath Assembly ( WHA ) , drawing strong objections from Beijing , which considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces .
Taiwan says the coronavirus pandemic has made it more urgent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to the WHO .
China says Taiwan can only participate under the `` one China '' principle , in which it accepts it is a part of China .
China 's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Taiwan 's ruling Democratic Progressive Party refused to do this , and so the political foundation for Taiwan 's WHO participation had `` ceased to exist . ''
Speaking at a news conference in Taipei to press home Taiwan 's desire to take part , Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said there was no way Taiwan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no way to accept something which does not exist , '' Chen said , adding that Taiwan would not give up efforts to attend the health assembly , even though it has not received an invitation .
The issue has taken on broader diplomatic significance thanks to the strong support from the United States and Japan in particular for Taiwan to attend the WHA , to China 's anger .
China says it has the right to represent Taiwan on the international stage .
Taiwan says that only its democratically elected government can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
`` We can represent our own people , '' Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh told the same news conference in Taipei .
`` We hope the WHO can set aside political considerations , and be neutral and professional . ''
Taiwan attended the WHA as an observer from 2009-2016 when Taipei-Beijing relations were warmer .
But China blocked further participation after the election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen , who China views as a separatist , an accusation she rejects .
The WHO says it has no mandate to invite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member states can decide .

TAIPEI - Taiwan's health minister rejected on Friday China's main condition for the island to be able to take part in the World Health Organization (WHO) - that it accepts it is part of China - ahead of a key meeting of the body during a pandemic.
Non-WHO member Taiwan has lobbied to take part as an observer in next week's World Heath Assembly (WHA), drawing strong objections from Beijing, which considers Taiwan to be one of its provinces.
Taiwan says the coronavirus pandemic has made it more urgent than ever that it be allowed proper access to the WHO.
China says Taiwan can only participate under the "one China" principle, in which it accepts it is a part of China.
China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party refused to do this, and so the political foundation for Taiwan's WHO participation had "ceased to exist."
Speaking at a news conference in Taipei to press home Taiwan's desire to take part, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said there was no way Taiwan would do this.
"I have no way to accept something which does not exist," Chen said, adding that Taiwan would not give up efforts to attend the health assembly, even though it has not received an invitation.
The issue has taken on broader diplomatic significance thanks to the strong support from the United States and Japan in particular for Taiwan to attend the WHA, to China's anger.
China says it has the right to represent Taiwan on the international stage. Taiwan says that only its democratically elected government can speak for the island's 23 million people.
"We can represent our own people," Taiwan Deputy Foreign Minister Kelly Hsieh told the same news conference in Taipei. "We hope the WHO can set aside political considerations, and be neutral and professional."
Taiwan attended the WHA as an observer from 2009-2016 when Taipei-Beijing relations were warmer.
But China blocked further participation after the election of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who China views as a separatist, an accusation she rejects.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--China's Wuhan says tested a third of residents for coronavirus since April

Wuhan will conduct tests on everyone in the city , with the goal of getting a clear number of asymptomatic cases as businesses and schools reopen , the official Xinhua News Agency reported late Thursday .
The priority will be residents who have not been tested before , people living in residential compounds that had previous cases of the virus , as well as old or densely populated estates , Xinhua said , citing a Wuhan government meeting .
Wuhan reported a cluster of infections over the weekend , the first since a virtual lockdown on the city was lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second wave .
The latest infections were previously asymptomatic cases , people who had the virus but showed no symptoms such as a fever .
Reuters , citing an internal document to district officials , reported on May 11 that the city planned to conduct the campaign of city-wide nucleic acid tests over 10 days .
Wuhan has conducted 1.79 million tests from April 1 to May 13 , according to Reuters calculations based on daily reports published by the city 's health commission .
The official test number for May 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wuhan has detected several to more than a dozen asymptomatic infections every day .
Although those people are all treated in isolation , they still spark concern in the society , Xinhua said .
Some experts say the mass testing is unprecedented in scale , and shows the level of concern .
Others warn on potential testing errors due to the sheer size of the sampling .
On Friday , China reported four new confirmed cases in the mainland for May 14 , up from three cases a day earlier , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday .
All of the new cases were locally transmitted and the number of new asymptomatic cases fell slightly to 11 from 12 a day earlier .
The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,933 while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,633 .
China does not include asymptomatic virus carriers in its tally of confirmed cases .
It also does not disclose the overall number of asymptomatic cases in the country .

Wuhan will conduct tests on everyone in the city, with the goal of getting a clear number of asymptomatic cases as businesses and schools reopen, the official Xinhua News Agency reported late Thursday.
The priority will be residents who have not been tested before, people living in residential compounds that had previous cases of the virus, as well as old or densely populated estates, Xinhua said, citing a Wuhan government meeting.
Wuhan reported a cluster of infections over the weekend, the first since a virtual lockdown on the city was lifted on April 8, raising fears of a second wave. The latest infections were previously asymptomatic cases, people who had the virus but showed no symptoms such as a fever.
Reuters, citing an internal document to district officials, reported on May 11 that the city planned to conduct the campaign of city-wide nucleic acid tests over 10 days.
Wuhan has conducted 1.79 million tests from April 1 to May 13, according to Reuters calculations based on daily reports published by the city's health commission.
The official test number for May 14 will be published on Friday.
Recently, Wuhan has detected several to more than a dozen asymptomatic infections every day. Although those people are all treated in isolation, they still spark concern in the society, Xinhua said.
Some experts say the mass testing is unprecedented in scale, and shows the level of concern. Others warn on potential testing errors due to the sheer size of the sampling.
On Friday, China reported four new confirmed cases in the mainland for May 14, up from three cases a day earlier, the National Health Commission said in a statement on Friday.
All of the new cases were locally transmitted and the number of new asymptomatic cases fell slightly to 11 from 12 a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,933 while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,633.
China does not include asymptomatic virus carriers in its tally of confirmed cases. It also does not disclose the overall number of asymptomatic cases in the country.
Wuhan, the original epicentre of the new coronavirus outbreak in China, has tested over 3 million residents for the pathogen since April, and will now focus its testing efforts on the rest of its 11 million population, according to state media.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 913 to 173,152 -RKI

The reported death toll rose by 101 to 7,824 , the tally showed .

The reported death toll rose by 101 to 7,824, the tally showed.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 913 to 173,152, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Global coronavirus death toll exceeds 300,000

Global deaths linked to the novel coronavirus passed 300,000 on Thursday , while reported cases of the virus are approaching 4.5 million , according to a Reuters tally .
About half of the fatalities have been reported by the United States , the United Kingdom and Italy .
The first death linked to the disease was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan , China .
It took 91 days for the death toll to pass 100,000 and a further 16 days to reach 200,000 , according to the Reuters tally of official reports from governments .
It took 19 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By comparison , an estimated 400,000 people die annually from malaria , one of the world 's most deadly infectious diseases .
The United States had reported more than 85,000 deaths from the new coronavirus , while the United Kingdom and Italy have reported over 30,000 fatalities each .
While the current trajectory of COVID-19 falls far short of the 1918 Spanish flu , which infected an estimated 500 million people , killing at least 10 % of patients , public health experts worry the available data is underplaying the true impact @ @ @ @

Global deaths linked to the novel coronavirus passed 300,000 on Thursday, while reported cases of the virus are approaching 4.5 million, according to a Reuters tally.
About half of the fatalities have been reported by the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.
The first death linked to the disease was reported on Jan. 10 in Wuhan, China. It took 91 days for the death toll to pass 100,000 and a further 16 days to reach 200,000, according to the Reuters tally of official reports from governments. It took 19 days to go from 200,000 to 300,000 deaths.
By comparison, an estimated 400,000 people die annually from malaria, one of the world's most deadly infectious diseases.
The United States had reported more than 85,000 deaths from the new coronavirus, while the United Kingdom and Italy have reported over 30,000 fatalities each.
While the current trajectory of COVID-19 falls far short of the 1918 Spanish flu, which infected an estimated 500 million people, killing at least 10% of patients, public health experts worry the available data is underplaying the true impact of the pandemic.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Two cops shot during a chase in Tira

Two cops shot during a chase in Tira

Two police officers were shot on Friday night during a chase near the city of Tira , Ynet reported.The two @ @ @ @ @ car when they were shot .
They were taken to Meir Medical Center in Kfar @ @ @ @ @ lightly injured and the other is in moderate condition .

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jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Brazil registers new daily record of 15,305 coronavirus cases

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Brazil confirmed 15,305 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, a record for a 24-hour period, as well as 824 related deaths, according to data from the Health Ministry.Brazil has registered 218,223 confirmed coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic and 14,817 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Iran news agency warns over US 'piracy' against fuel shipment to Venezuela

A senior official in President Donald Trump ’ s administration told Reuters on Thursday the United States was considering measures @ @ @ @ @ to Iran ’ s shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela .
`` If the United @ @ @ @ @ , intends to create insecurity on international waterways , it would be taking a dangerous @ @ @ @ @ not go without repercussion , '' the Nour news agency said early on Saturday , @ @ @ @ @ were heading to the Caribbean .

An Iranian news agency close to the elite Revolutionary Guards said that any US act of "piracy" against an Iranian fuel shipment to Venezuela will have repercussions.
A senior official in President Donald Trump’s administration told Reuters on Thursday the United States was considering measures it could take in response to Iran’s shipment of fuel to crisis-stricken Venezuela.
"If the United States, just like pirates, intends to create insecurity on international waterways, it would be taking a dangerous risk and that will certainly not go without repercussion," the Nour news agency said early on Saturday, citing reports that US warships were heading to the Caribbean.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Brazil health minister resigns, second minister to do so in a month

Brazil 's outgoing health minister Nelson Teich said in a press briefing on Friday that he had decided to resign @ @ @ @ @ the second person to leave the top public health position in less than a month @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
Teich thanked President Jair Bolsonaro for offering him the opportunity to work @ @ @ @ @ had given it his best but gave no reason for why he had chosen to @ @

Brazil's outgoing health minister Nelson Teich said in a press briefing on Friday that he had decided to resign from his position, becoming the second person to leave the top public health position in less than a month in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Teich thanked President Jair Bolsonaro for offering him the opportunity to work as minister and said he had given it his best but gave no reason for why he had chosen to resign.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--California officials reject subsidies for Musk's SpaceX over Tesla spat

A California state panel on Friday rejected a request from Elon Musk's SpaceX for $655,500 in state job and training funds, citing the chief executive's recent threats to move Tesla, the electric carmaker that he also runs, out of the state.The snub comes as Musk has sparred with officials in Alameda County over his plans to resume production at the Tesla plant there, which was stopped because of the coronavirus.Five members of California's Employment Training Panel voted to reject the proposal and two voted for it, with one member absent, after discussing Musk's tweets on Tesla's reopening and media reports of layoffs at SpaceX's Hawthorne, California headquarters in recent years."In my opinion, given the recent threats of the CEO to leave the state of California, and everything else we’ve discussed today, this proposal does not rise to the level for me to feel secure in supporting it," said Gretchen Newsom, a panel member and the political director of an IBEW electrical workers union local."SpaceX is a different company, but they have the same CEO," said Newsom, who is not related to California Governor Gavin Newsom.Though a small amount of money, the funding was opposed by organized labor groups. Tesla and SpaceX are both nonunion shops.The funding from the state employment development fund was supposed to help SpaceX train 900 employees for its Starlink satellite project and hire 300 to work on its Starship program. It was unclear whether SpaceX intends to move forward with its hiring plan after Friday's rejection.SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Since the disagreement between Tesla and Alameda County gained national attention, officials from such states as Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Utah and Oklahoma have pitched Musk about considering their state for existing operations or for a new factory the company has promised.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Mexico sees deadliest year for LGBT+ people in five years

Mexico is seeing a surge of extreme violence toward LGBT+ people in its deadliest year in half a decade, a leading rights group said on Friday, citing cases of victims brutally stabbed and brazenly killed in public.In 2019, 117 lesbian, gay, bi and trans people were killed in Mexico, up almost a third compared with 2018 and the highest number since 2015, according to LGBT+ advocacy group Letra S.Overall in Mexico, last year was the deadliest on record, but the increase among the gay and trans community was more severe, said Alejandro Brito, Letra S director."We've documented that victims are subjected to multiple forms of violence, before or even after they were murdered," Brito said."There is a cruelty towards the victims," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.Victims have been found handcuffed, stabbed repeatedly and in public places, he said.A lesbian woman was killed while out one night with her girlfriend in the city of Cuernavaca, and the bodies of several murdered trans women were found on the streets.Amid widespread gang violence and drug trafficking groups in Mexico, more than 34,500 homicide victims were reported last year, according to official data. But while the number of murder victims was up 2.5% in 2019, the number of gay and trans people killed was 27% higher than in 2018, said Letra S.More than half the victims were transgender women, while nearly a third were gay men. At least 441 LGBT+ people were murdered in Mexico between 2015 and 2019, the group said.LGBT+ rights have grown stronger in Mexico, with discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation outlawed since 2003. The country was the second to implement such a law in Latin America after Ecuador.More than half of Mexico's 32 states recognize gay marriage, and the nation's top court has ruled that trans people have a legal right to change their gender identity on official documents.Brito said the increasing visibility afforded by advances in LGBT+ issues may have contributed to the surging violence.The violence "is specifically directed at LGBT people," he said."The greater visibility ... has led macho groups, fundamentalist sectors to reject this public presence of gays, lesbians and trans people."Gay and trans people still face societal prejudice in the predominantly Catholic country where religious groups frequently criticize LGBT+ rights.In a 2017 government survey, about a third of Mexicans said they would not rent out a room to a gay or trans person. Lawmakers welcomed the data for highlighting the often underreported violence faced by LGBT+ people in Mexico."Hate crimes due to homophobia and transphobia are generally made invisible," said Patricia Mercado, a senator with the opposition Citizens' Movement party. "We have to continue working to prevent all forms of discrimination that can lead to a hate crime."The data on murders was based on news reports of LGBT+ killings, but the actual number could be much higher, according to Letra S.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Abu Dhabi in talks with Dubai for support through state fund Mubadala

The governments of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are discussing ways to prop up Dubai's economy by linking up assets in the two emirates, with Abu Dhabi's state fund Mubadala likely to play a key role in any deal, three sources familiar with the matter said.Some economic sectors have come to a near standstill in Dubai during the coronavirus outbreak, and it faces its most severe downturn since a 2009 debt crisis. It lacks the oil wealth of Abu Dhabi to cushion the blow.Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai after the 2009 crisis with a $10 billion government loan, which was subsequently rolled over, and $10 billion in bonds that Dubai issued to the central bank.One of the sources said any support from Abu Dhabi agreed now would be "orchestrated through mergers of assets where Abu Dhabi and Dubai compete directly or where they have joint ownerships.""The most likely deal to happen in the near term is a merger of the local stock markets," the source said, adding that bank mergers were also possible.A second source confirmed the talks and said Mubadala, which manages around $230 billion in assets, would make "a big move into Dubai," but gave no details.Mubadala declined comment. Abu Dhabi did not respond to requests for comment on the talks.The Dubai media office said on its official Twitter account late on Friday that Dubai denied being in talks with Abu Dhabi for support from Mubadala.The two emirates have a quiet rivalry. Dubai has developed quickly to become the Middle East's tourism, trade and business hub, while Abu Dhabi is the UAE's political capital because of its size and immense oil wealth. The consolidation of political power in Abu Dhabi began with the 2009 bailout.The first source said talks were happening in an "elegant way," without the appearance of a direct bailout.The UAE said on Wednesday it would review the structure and size of its government to make it "more agile and flexible.""We may merge ministries and alter bodies. We will make changes," UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who is also ruler of Dubai, said following three days of virtual meetings on the country's post-coronavirus strategy.A third source said Mubadala was likely to be involved "at some stage" because the state fund was always involved whenever there was consolidation between the two emirates in the past.Mergers took place after Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai following the 2009 crisis, during which Dubai's property market crashed, almost forcing some state-linked firms to default on billions of dollars of debt.The UAE merged Dubai and Abu Dhabi aluminum firms to create Emirates Global Aluminium, held jointly by Mubadala and the Investment Corporation of Dubai."You have already seen a pattern of mergers and this will now accelerate," the first source said. "Essentially these bailouts will be engineered by having Abu Dhabi taking stakes in strategic assets owned by Dubai. It will happen over time."London-based Capital Economics has said Dubai is the most vulnerable of the economies in the Middle East and North Africa to the economic damage caused by measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, and it has said Dubai's economy could contract by at least 5-6% this year if the measures last into the summer.Economic growth in Dubai was sluggish before the pandemic and hopes of benefiting from hosting the Expo world fair in October collapsed when the event was postponed to 2021.Dubai has in recent weeks been in discussions with banks for several fundraising options including loans and privately placed bonds, sources familiar with the discussions have said.It has also considered raising funds backed by road toll revenue, sources have said.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--One man seriously injured in stabbing incident in Ramla

Israel Police received a report of a man who stabbed in Ramla. The man was evacuated to Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center and was seriously injured.Police are investigating the situation.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--France reports more coronavirus deaths, raising total to 27,529

French health authorities reported 104 new coronavirus deaths on Friday , or a slowing increase of 0.4 % , bringing @ @ @ @ @ still the fourth-highest in the world .
In a statement , the ministry added the @ @ @ @ @ risen to 141,919 , up from 141,356 on Thursday , which is also a rise @ @ @ @ @ hours .

French health authorities reported 104 new coronavirus deaths on Friday, or a slowing increase of 0.4%, bringing the total to 27,529, still the fourth-highest in the world.
In a statement, the ministry added the number of confirmed cases had risen to 141,919, up from 141,356 on Thursday, which is also a rise of 0.4% in 24 hours.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--UK COVID-19 reproduction rate rises to 0.7-1.0

The reproduction rate of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom is now somewhere between 0.7 and 1.0 , government scientific @ @ @ @ @ a slight rise on figures given last week .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last @ @ @ @ @ to 0.9 .
The government has said it will keep a close eye on the @ @ @ @ @ as it looks at how quickly to ease lockdown measures first introduced in March .
@ @ @ @ @ one , the virus is not spreading exponentially , but the rise in the number @ @ @ @ @ more slowly now .
Asked at the government 's daily news conference about the rise @ @ @ @ @ said the key thing for the easing of lockdown was that the R is still @ @ @ @

The reproduction rate of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom is now somewhere between 0.7 and 1.0, government scientific advisers said on Friday, a slight rise on figures given last week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last week the rate was 0.5 to 0.9. The government has said it will keep a close eye on the so-called 'R' rate as it looks at how quickly to ease lockdown measures first introduced in March.
As the number is below one, the virus is not spreading exponentially, but the rise in the number means that infections are falling more slowly now.
Asked at the government's daily news conference about the rise, health minister Matt Hancock said the key thing for the easing of lockdown was that the R is still not above 1.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--Italy's daily coronavirus death toll and new cases dip

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy fell to 242 on Friday , against 262 the day before , the @ @ @ @ @ while the daily tally of new cases dipped to 789 from 992 on Thursday .
@ @ @ @ @ the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now stands at 31,610 the agency said @ @ @ @ @ the world after those of the United States and Britain .
The number of confirmed @ @ @ @ @ the fifth highest global tally behind those of the United States , Spain , Britain @ @ @ @ @ as currently carrying the illness fell to 72,070 from 76,440 the day before .

Deaths from the COVID-19 epidemic in Italy fell to 242 on Friday, against 262 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new cases dipped to 789 from 992 on Thursday.
The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now stands at 31,610 the agency said, the third highest in the world after those of the United States and Britain.
The number of confirmed cases amounts to 223,885, the fifth highest global tally behind those of the United States, Spain, Britain and Russia.
People registered as currently carrying the illness fell to 72,070 from 76,440 the day before.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--IDF to cease coronavirus-related civilian operations

The IDF will cease its coronavirus-era civilian activity, including food distribution, assistance to hospitals and disinfection operations, in accordance with Israel's virus exit strategy, Ynet reported.As part of this return to routine, soldiers will not be allowed to take buses from central stations, and will either have to take them from other bus stations or use the IDF's transportation service.No more than 50 soldiers from the same capsule will be allowed to gather in a single closed location. Additionally, Israeli volunteers will be allowed back into bases.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--New date for intra-Afghan peace talks under discussion, Khalilzad says

A new date for intra-Afghan peace talks is under discussion and the United States has heard positive things about the @ @ @ @ @ government , US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ , Khalilzad also said it would be best if intra-Afghan talks began while there is @ @ @ @ @ presence in Afghanistan and that he would soon travel to push for a de-escalation in @ @ @ @ @ of prisoners .
The pace of prisoner releases and disagreements over the Afghan government 's @ @ @ @ @ intra-Afghan talks , which were to begin on March 10 .

A new date for intra-Afghan peace talks is under discussion and the United States has heard positive things about the formation of an inclusive Afghan government, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call, Khalilzad also said it would be best if intra-Afghan talks began while there is still a significant US military presence in Afghanistan and that he would soon travel to push for a de-escalation in violence and for the release of prisoners.
The pace of prisoner releases and disagreements over the Afghan government's composition have both helped delay intra-Afghan talks, which were to begin on March 10.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--UK coronavirus death toll rises 384 to 33,998

The number of people who have died in the United Kingdom after testing positive to COVID-19 rose by 384 to @ @ @ @ @ ministry said on Friday .
The number of deaths was as of 1600 GMT on @ @ @ @ @ .
A total of 236,711 people had tested positive for the virus as of 0800 @ @ @ @

The number of people who have died in the United Kingdom after testing positive to COVID-19 rose by 384 to 33,998, Britain's health ministry said on Friday.
The number of deaths was as of 1600 GMT on Thursday, the government said. A total of 236,711 people had tested positive for the virus as of 0800 GMT on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-05-15--52 students in isolation after teacher tests positive for coronavirus

A teacher from Rehovot tested positive for the coronavirus after coming contact with two classrooms of students, as well as school employees.All faculty members and the 52 students who came in contact with her will go into self-isolation, N12 reported on Friday.As a result of the incident, the school will remain closed for two weeks, in accordance with the Health Ministry's guidelines that instruct anyone near a confirmed COVID-19 patient quarantine for 14 days.On Thursday, the government approved the full re-opening of schools across the country, in accordance with compliance with all personal hygiene rules.School buses will begin operating in a limited capacity on Sunday and will gradually increase activity as local authorities are ready. This was previously a concern as some feared the inability to have school buses operate safely would delay the re-opening of schools.Later on Friday, Ynet reported that teacher's assistant in a Tel Aviv elementary school was diagnosed with coronavirus, forcing seven students and their teacher to go into isolation for 6 days.In order to prevent such a thing from occurring in the future, Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai ordered tests for the educational staff in the city with the help of Ichilov Hospital.