jerusalempost--2020-09-09--WHO: Safety is paramount in vaccine trials, suspensions 'not unusual'

AstraZeneca has suspended global trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine after an unexplained illness in a participant , knocking the @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday as prospects for an early rollout dimmed .
`` We are pleased to see @ @ @ @ @ integrity of the trials and abiding by the standard guidelines and rules for the development @ @ @ @ @ WHO said by email in response to a Reuters query .

Safety is paramount in vaccine clinical trials and temporary suspensions are not unusual to evaluate any unexplained illness in a participant, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday regarding the pause in an AstraZeneca COVID-19 trial.
AstraZeneca has suspended global trials of its experimental coronavirus vaccine after an unexplained illness in a participant, knocking the British drugmaker's shares on Wednesday as prospects for an early rollout dimmed.
"We are pleased to see vaccine developers assuring the scientific integrity of the trials and abiding by the standard guidelines and rules for the development of vaccines," the WHO said by email in response to a Reuters query.
The WHO recommended "strict adherence to established testing protocols in all vaccine trials to ensure the safety of volunteers and the eventual safety and efficacy of vaccines," it added.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Head of Ukraine's armed forces tests positive for coronavirus

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The commander of Ukraine's armed forces, Colonel-General Ruslan Homchak, has tested positive for COVID-19 and will spend 14 days in isolation, the country's military said on Thursday.Ukraine has reported high COVID infection levels in recent weeks. The total number of cases since the start of the pandemic now exceeds 145,000, including more than 3,000 deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--British firm develops 20-second coronavirus test

Trials of the `` Virolens '' test have taken place at Heathrow Airport , the company , which was founded @ @ @ @ @

British start-up company iAbra said it has developed a 20-second saliva COVID-19 test which had 99.8% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity.
Trials of the "Virolens" test have taken place at Heathrow Airport, according to the company, which was founded in 2010.
"Our system allows simple, high speed, reliable and low-cost testing in dynamic environments," Greg Compton, CEO of iAbra, added in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--WHO: World must scale up clinical trials to address coronavirus

The WHO 's ACT-Accelerator program already supports research into potential vaccines , drugs and diagnostics , WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials , manufacturing , @ @ @ @ @ that these products can get to people and start saving lives , '' he said @

The head of the World Health Organization urged countries on Thursday to contribute resources that can expedite products which may help stem the coronavirus pandemic.
The WHO's ACT-Accelerator program already supports research into potential vaccines, drugs and diagnostics, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told an online event.
"But we need to rapidly scale up our clinical trials, manufacturing, licensing and regulation capacity so that these products can get to people and start saving lives," he said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Gamzu: The healthcare system has put up a red flag

Israel is heading toward a nationwide lockdown, the coronavirus cabinet ruled Thursday night, as the country passed more than 4,000 COVID-19 diagnoses in a single day, breaking a record.Ministers met for close to six hours on Thursday, deciding to impose a closure on the country beginning next Friday ahead of Rosh Hashana.The ministers argued late into the night with coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu about the scope of the restrictions.The final outline will be brought to a vote by the full cabinet on Sunday before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies to the United States.Gamzu, who since taking up his position nearly two months ago has been opposed to a lockdown, presented a plan to the government that would nearly close down the country through the High Holy Days.The outline expected to be approved on Sunday, will place the country in a full lockdown for two weeks starting next Friday.During the first two weeks, from September 18 until October 1, people will be confined to a 500m radius of their homes, all businesses will be closed – including retail and restaurants – and the education system will shut down. Essential services will continue, including pharmacies and grocery stores, which will remain open.Starting October 1, the 500m restriction is expected to be lifted, and 50% of employees are planned to be allowed to return to work. However, retail establishments and recreational activities will remain closed. A decision on reopening schools will be made at a later date.Restrictions will be eased further starting October 15 when Gamzu’s traffic light plan is expected to be reinstated.People will be allowed to gather to pray, in accordance with red zone rules – 10 people inside and up to 20 outside.The Finance Ministry has predicted that a closure could cost the economy up to NIS 10 billion.As the idea of a lockdown approached on Thursday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he called on the IDF to prepare, including calling up more reservists to assist in closed cities with distributing food and transporting sick to hotels.But Finance Minister Israel Katz, Science and Technology Minister Yizhar Shay and Economy Minister Amir Peretz pushed for a less restrictive plan that would still allow people to work.The Finance Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that “there can be no total closure under any circumstances, as the damage will be enormous and it will be difficult to repair.”On Thursday, the Military Intelligence’s Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center released a report verifying what Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Wednesday in an interview with N12: If the country locks down, then the closure must last for about a month.“Closure is a proven tool to reduce infection,” the report said, “when it lasts long enough.”The report indicated that with the current level of infection, it would take well over 90 days to reach an average 400 patients per day.A closure is not what the country expected when Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein chose Gamzu to be the coronavirus commissioner. Since his first days, Gamzu stressed: “I want more organization; partnership from the bottom.”During his first interviews he expressed the hope that he, together with the people, could stop the coronavirus. He told the public in August he expected that within a couple of months, Israel would have surfaced from the shadow of the COVID-19.“We are trying not to shut down the economy,” Gamzu repeated. “Closure is not the only way to treat coronavirus.”However, on Thursday, it was Gamzu who first raised the red flag on behalf of the healthcare system and said that “dramatic steps” would have to be taken.“Prof. Gamzu and the heads of the hospitals came to the coronavirus cabinet meeting today and waved a red flag,” the prime minister said in a video message late Thursday. “They said that although the number of serious patients in Israel is still relatively low, it can change in a snap. Then, the hospitals will not be able to treat them, and there will be many serious patients and many dead.”He said that Gamzu and the other medical professionals stressed that “action must be taken. But we must not take action without thinking. We cannot do it recklessly, so it takes a long time to make decisions. On the other hand, we had to make them early enough so that we can all get organized for the holidays, Yom Kippur and before that, of course, Rosh Hashanah.“I believe we will find a solution that will stop the disease and allow us to surface from these restrictions gradually and responsibly.” he said.Gamzu reportedly said at the meeting that the numbers are rising much faster than he expected, despite the night curfews placed earlier this week on red zones. He said the police are not succeeding to stop those who break directives and the public is not listening.More than 90 people died in the last week, bringing the death toll to 1,090 as of Friday evening. There were 979 patients being treated in the hospital – 486 in serious condition, including 146 who were intubated. On Thursday, 4,217 people tested positive for the virus.The number of sick patients in the haredi and Arab communities is exceptionally high and rising, with an increase in cases throughout the country – not just in red cities. Moreover, Health Ministry data has been showing that the number of cases of coronavirus in people over the age of 60 is growing; in the beginning of the second wave the virus appeared to be infecting mostly young people.It is likely that if steps are not taken, then the numbers will spike even more, because the school system opened up 10 days ago. The Education Ministry reported a week after school started that some 6.5% of Israeli students had coronavirus and 1% of schools were already shuttered by the virus.Gamzu has said the holidays could also negatively affect the infection rate.“Holidays are a time of many gatherings,” the commissioner said Tuesday at his weekly press briefing. “There will be eating [together] and therefore there is a danger of increased infection.”As Gamzu expressed during his first address to the nation, the public has lost trust in its decision makers. Seven weeks since he took the position, the people are still not following guidelines.Medical professionals, including Gamzu, have stressed that the traffic light plan is meant to be a virus management plan – it is not effective enough to bring down infection, especially when the system that the IDF is building to help contact trace and cut off the chains of infection is not yet ready. Gamzu said that it would not be fully operational until November 1.“The state must take all necessary measures to stop the virus,” said Dr. Nail Alias, head of the French hospital in Nazareth on Thursday, where there is a high level of infection. “There are many people guilty of causing the spread of the virus – the population that did not follow the necessary rules and the state that did not use all the tools at its disposal to eradicate the pandemic, as well as local authorities.“Now, we need to use all the tools at our disposal to cut the infection chains and stop the virus,” he concluded.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--WikiLeaks's Assange's UK extradition hearing postponed for COVID-19 fears

Assange is fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011 .
Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourned the case until Monday after being told one of the lawyers representing the United States might have been exposed to the virus .
The lawyer was being tested on Thursday with the result due on Friday , she said .
`` At the moment we would respectfully submit we have to go ahead on the assumption that she has COVID , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London 's Old Bailey court where the hearings are taking place .
`` If that is the correct assumption ... we should n't really be here : COVID would be here in the courtroom and it 's not possible to tell how far it 's extended , '' he added .
The extradition hearings began for a week in February and were due to resume in May , but were then delayed until this week because of the coronavirus lockdown .
Assange 's lawyers have argued he should be granted bail because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he has suffered from respiratory infections and has had heart problems .
However , the judge has ordered him to be kept in jail because he is considered a flight risk , having skipped bail and fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted at the time to answer questions on alleged sex crimes .
Those allegations have since been dropped .

The London extradition hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was postponed on Thursday because of concern that one of the lawyers involved might have been exposed to COVID-19.
Assange is fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.
Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourned the case until Monday after being told one of the lawyers representing the United States might have been exposed to the virus. The lawyer was being tested on Thursday with the result due on Friday, she said.
"At the moment we would respectfully submit we have to go ahead on the assumption that she has COVID," Edward Fitzgerald, Assange's lawyer told London's Old Bailey court where the hearings are taking place.
"If that is the correct assumption ... we shouldn't really be here: COVID would be here in the courtroom and it's not possible to tell how far it's extended," he added.
The extradition hearings began for a week in February and were due to resume in May, but were then delayed until this week because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Assange's lawyers have argued he should be granted bail because he himself is at particular risk from COVID-19 as he has suffered from respiratory infections and has had heart problems.
However, the judge has ordered him to be kept in jail because he is considered a flight risk, having skipped bail and fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted at the time to answer questions on alleged sex crimes. Those allegations have since been dropped.
Assange spent seven years in the embassy until he was dragged out last year.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Houthis: 'Important target' hit with missile, drones in Saudi capital

The Saudi-led coalition , which has been at war with the Iran-aligned group since 2015 , did not immediately confirm @ @ @ @ @ , a spokesman for the Houthi military , said the group used a Dul-Faqqar ballistic @ @ @ @ @ to attack an important target in Riyadh , without giving more details .
The group @ @ @ @ @ before .
`` The attacks are a response to the enemy 's permanent escalation and @ @ @ @ @ country , '' Sarea said in a statement posted on Twitter .
He promised more @ @ @ @ @ continues its aggression '' against Yemen .
The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa @ @ @ @ @ after ousting the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi .
The Western-backed coalition that Saudi @ @ @ @ @ to restore Hadi to power but the war , which has killed 100,000 people , @ @ @ @ @ stalemate for years .

Yemen's Houthis said they had attacked an "important target" in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday using a ballistic missile and drones.
The Saudi-led coalition, which has been at war with the Iran-aligned group since 2015, did not immediately confirm the attacks.
Yahya Sarea, a spokesman for the Houthi military, said the group used a Dul-Faqqar ballistic missile and three Samad3 drones to attack an important target in Riyadh, without giving more details. The group have attacked Riyadh several times before.
"The attacks are a response to the enemy's permanent escalation and its continuing blockade against our country," Sarea said in a statement posted on Twitter.
He promised more attacks if Saudi Arabia "continues its aggression" against Yemen.
The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa and most cities in 2014 after ousting the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
The Western-backed coalition that Saudi Arabia leads intervened to try to restore Hadi to power but the war, which has killed 100,000 people, has been stuck in a stalemate for years.
The conflict has led to what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Denmark plans to open embassy in Baghdad this fall

`` With our commitment , we help to ensure that Islamic State does n't once again gain a foothold in @ @ @ @ @ opportunity to threaten Europe and Denmark , '' Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a @ @ @ @ @ its representation to strengthen the dialogue with Iraq in areas such as migration , counter-terrorism @ @ @ @ @ by Islamic State , he said .
Denmark takes over the leadership of a NATO-led @ @ @ @ @ from Canada by the end of 2020 .

Denmark said on Thursday it plans to open an embassy in Baghdad this autumn as part of its efforts to help combat Islamic State and contribute to the stabilization of the situation in both Iraq and Syria.
"With our commitment, we help to ensure that Islamic State doesn't once again gain a foothold in the region and thus the opportunity to threaten Europe and Denmark," Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said in a statement.
Denmark will use its representation to strengthen the dialogue with Iraq in areas such as migration, counter-terrorism and prosecution of crimes committed by Islamic State, he said.
Denmark will take over the leadership of a NATO-led mission training Iraqi security forces from Canada by the end of 2020.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Avigdor Liberman to enter quarantine after contact with COVID-19 patient

Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman entered quarantine on Thursday after being in contact with a confirmed patient during a tour which took place this week.In addition, several members of the party were also in contact with the infected person and will be entering quarantine as well, included MKs Oded Forer and Evgeny Sova.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Confirmed coronavirus patient found driving with illegal immigrant

A 48-year-old confirmed coronavirus patient was caught as he was driving an illegal immigrant on Route 443.The driver was fined NIS 5,000 and was transferred into quarantine. The investigation in his case is ongoing.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Economy Minister Amir Peretz visits Yacoub Abu al-Kiyan's family

Economy Minister Amir Peretz went to the town of Hura to visit the family of Yacoub Abu al-Kiyan, who was shot during the evacuation of Umm al-Hiran, Ynet reported.Peretz expressed sorrow over what had transpired and how Yacoub was addressed after the shooting had occurred."We've come to say there was no reason his family and his widow had to go through a time when their family name was put to shame, same with Yacoub's name. Prime Minister Netanyahu has already expressed his opinion on the matter, but he needs to clear his name in court."


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Russia says it respects Serbia's decision to pull out of Belarus drills

Serbia suspended its participation in military drills with foreign troops for six months on Wednesday after what the government termed @ @ @ @ @ pressure from the European Union over Belarus .
Protests have rocked Belarus since a disputed @ @ @ @ @ Belarusian opposition politician Maria Kolesnikova said on Thursday the authorities had threatened to kill her @ @ @ @ @ her earlier this week .

The Kremlin said on Thursday it respected Serbia's decision to withdraw from participating in joint military drills alongside Russian and Belarusian forces that are due to take place in protest-hit Belarus later this month.
Serbia suspended its participation in military drills with foreign troops for six months on Wednesday after what the government termed "enormous and undeserved" pressure from the European Union over Belarus.
Serbia is a candidate for EU membership.
Protests have rocked Belarus since a disputed Aug. 9 presidential election. Belarusian opposition politician Maria Kolesnikova said on Thursday the authorities had threatened to kill her as they attempted to deport her earlier this week.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Russia denies promising to set up commission to investigate Navalny case

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow still saw no grounds to open a criminal case into the illness @ @ @ @ @ being treated in Berlin after what Germany says was an attempt to kill him .
@ @ @ @ @ not seen solid evidence of his alleged poisoning and that it had not received any @ @ @ @ @

The Kremlin said on Thursday it was possible there had been a misunderstanding after Italy's prime minister said that President Vladimir Putin had promised to set up a commission to investigate the case of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Moscow still saw no grounds to open a criminal case into the illness of Navalny, who is being treated in Berlin after what Germany says was an attempt to kill him.
The Kremlin said Russia has not seen solid evidence of his alleged poisoning and that it had not received any medical data from Germany.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday there was a "substantial chance" that Navalny's suspected poisoning had been ordered by senior Russian officials. Peskov said Moscow viewed that statement as "unacceptable."


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Russia dismisses claims of hacking against Biden campaign as 'nonsense'

Three people briefed on the matter told Reuters earlier that Microsoft Corp had alerted the firm in question that it @ @ @ @ @ Russian state-backed hackers .

Reports that Russian state hackers targeted one of US Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s main election campaign advisory firms "look like nonsense," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.
Three people briefed on the matter told Reuters earlier that Microsoft Corp had alerted the firm in question that it had been targeted by suspected Russian state-backed hackers.
The hacking attempts targeted staff at Washington-based SKDKnickerbocker, a campaign strategy and communications firm working with Biden and other prominent Democrats, over the past two months, the sources said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Exiled Belarus opposition leader says authorities threatened to kill her

Kolesnikova , one of the most prominent leaders of month-long protests against the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko , prevented the attempt to expel her by tearing up her passport .
She said in the statement that she had genuinely feared for her life .
`` In particular it was stated that if I did not voluntarily leave the Republic of Belarus , I would be taken out anyway , alive or in bits .
There were also threats to imprison me for up to 25 years , '' Kolesnikova said .
Her lawyer said she was filing a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security police .
She is now in detention in the capital Minsk , where she was due to be questioned on Thursday .
Lukashenko denies rigging the August 9 election , which official results said he won by a landslide , and has cracked down hard on protesters demanding his resignation .
He has refused to talk to the opposition , saying it is bent on wrecking the country .
Inaugurating a new chief prosecutor on Thursday , Lukashenko reiterated his uncompromising line .
`` I want to tell you like a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wo n't give up power . '
They 're right to reproach me .
The people did n't elect me for this , '' he said .
`` Power is not given to be taken , thrown and given away , '' he added , saying the country must not return to the chaos of the 1990s following the break-up of the Soviet Union .
In the month since the disputed election , nearly all the opposition 's key leaders have been arrested , fled , or been forced to leave the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature , accused the authorities on Wednesday of terrorizing their own people .
Diplomats from seven European countries came to her flat , in part to help protect her .

Belarus opposition politician Maria Kolesnikova said security officers put a bag over her head and threatened to kill her when they tried to forcibly deport her to Ukraine earlier this week, according to a statement filed by her lawyer on Thursday.
Kolesnikova, one of the most prominent leaders of month-long protests against the reelection of President Alexander Lukashenko, prevented the attempt to expel her by tearing up her passport.
She said in the statement that she had genuinely feared for her life.
"In particular it was stated that if I did not voluntarily leave the Republic of Belarus, I would be taken out anyway, alive or in bits. There were also threats to imprison me for up to 25 years," Kolesnikova said.
Her lawyer said she was filing a criminal complaint against Belarusian authorities including the KGB security police.
She is now in detention in the capital Minsk, where she was due to be questioned on Thursday.
Lukashenko denies rigging the August 9 election, which official results said he won by a landslide, and has cracked down hard on protesters demanding his resignation. He has refused to talk to the opposition, saying it is bent on wrecking the country.
Inaugurating a new chief prosecutor on Thursday, Lukashenko reiterated his uncompromising line.
"I want to tell you like a man... People often reproach me: 'He won't give up power.' They're right to reproach me. The people didn't elect me for this," he said.
"Power is not given to be taken, thrown and given away," he added, saying the country must not return to the chaos of the 1990s following the break-up of the Soviet Union.
In the month since the disputed election, nearly all the opposition's key leaders have been arrested, fled, or been forced to leave the country.
Writer Svetlana Alexievich, winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature, accused the authorities on Wednesday of terrorizing their own people. Diplomats from seven European countries came to her flat, in part to help protect her.
Lukashenko, in power since 1994, retains the support of his key ally, Russian President Vladimir Putin. The West has so far been cautious about taking firm action that might provoke a Russian intervention, although the EU is drawing up a list of Belarusian officials to target with sanctions.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Greece: European Union must consider 'severe' sanctions on Turkey

`` The sanctions should put this pressure , to be severe , for a limited time , but severe , @ @ @ @ @ message that Europe is here to negotiate but is also here to defend its values @ @ @ @ @ the European Parliament 's foreign affairs committee .

European Union leaders should impose "severe" economic sanctions on Turkey for a limited time if Ankara does not remove its military vessels and gas drilling ships from waters off Cyprus, Greece's deputy foreign minister said on Thursday.
"The sanctions should put this pressure, to be severe, for a limited time, but severe, in order to send the message that Europe is here to negotiate but is also here to defend its values," Miltiadis Varvitsiotis told the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee.
EU leaders will hold a special summit on September 24-25 to discuss how to resolve the crisis between Cyprus and Turkey over energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--AstraZeneca to know if vaccine works by year's end if trials resume

It suspended the late-stage trials after an illness in a study subject in Britain .
The patient was reportedly suffering @ @ @ @ @ a rare spinal inflammatory disorder called transverse myelitis .
Soriot said during a call on @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization ( WHO ) has flagged as the most promising in combating coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ common for a trial to be suspended , the difference being that the world was @ @ @ @ @ AstraZeneca did not know the diagnosis for the volunteer in the trial , adding that @ @ @ @ @ they had transverse myelitis and more tests were needed .

AstraZeneca's chief executive Pascal Soriot said on Thursday that it should know before the end of the year whether its experimental vaccine would protect people from COVID-19, if the British drugmaker is allowed to resume trials which were paused this week.
It suspended the late-stage trials after an illness in a study subject in Britain. The patient was reportedly suffering from neurological symptoms associated with a rare spinal inflammatory disorder called transverse myelitis.
Soriot said during a call on the vaccine, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged as the most promising in combating coronavirus, that it was very common for a trial to be suspended, the difference being that the world was watching.
The CEO said AstraZeneca did not know the diagnosis for the volunteer in the trial, adding that it was not clear if they had transverse myelitis and more tests were needed.
Soriot said the diagnosis would be submitted to an independent safety committee and this would usually then tell the company whether trials can be resumed.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Head of public health services to recommend lockdown during holidays

Dr. Sharon Elari, head of the public health services, spoke on Radio Bet Thursday morning and warned of a national pandemic that may force the country to go into general lockdown during the holidays."The situation is concerning, we're heading towards a national pandemic – in green cities as well. That's why [coronavirus czar Prof. Ronni] Gamzu's traffic light model can't work at the moment, and our recommendation at the cabinet meeting will be to impose a lockdown during the holidays," Elari said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Head of Shomron Regional Council tests positive for COVID-19

Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council, tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday.According to a Facebook post published by Dagan, he tested positive for the virus and has entered quarantine in his home."I'm updating you, that after developing a cough yesterday, I took a coronavirus test. I received the results, which came out positive. I feel well and have placed myself under home quarantine," he wrote.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--China accuses US of racial discrimination for revoking academic visas

China on Thursday accused the United States of political persecution and racial discrimination and said it reserves the right for further reaction, after Washington said it had revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers it had deemed security risks.The US move, announced on Wednesday, was a violation of the human rights of the students, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular news briefing.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Russia reports 5,363 new coronavirus cases, 128 deaths

MOSCOW - Russia reported 5,363 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the national tally to 1,046,370, the fourth largest in the world.Authorities said 128 people had died in the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to 18,263.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Putin to set up inquiry into Navalny poisoning - Italy's PM

ROME - Russia's President Vladimir Putin has told Italy's prime minister that he will set up a committee to investigate the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Giuseppe Conte was quoted on Thursday as saying.Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin, is being treated in a Berlin hospital after falling ill on a Russian domestic flight last month. Germany says he was poisoned with a nerve agent. Russia has said it has seen no evidence that Navalny was poisoned."President Putin has assured me (in a recent conversation) that Russia intends to clear up what has happened, and told me that he would set up a committee of inquiry and was ready to collaborate with the German authorities," Italy's Conte told the newspaper Il Foglio in an interview."Collaboration is the best way to prevent this dramatic event from negatively affecting relations between the EU and Russia," Conte added.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Health Ministry COVID-19 report possibily inconsistent amid protests

According to data published by the Health Ministry, some 20 coronavirus patients attended protests in the last month.However, an investigation carried out by Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kisch showed that in the epidemiological inquiry sheets, "protest" doesn't even appear as an option that patients can choose from, which raises concerns regarding the accuracy of the report, which is mostly likely partial at best, according to Kan News reporter Zeev Kan.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Czech republic reports over 1,000 COVID-19 cases for second straight day

PRAGUE - The Czech Republic reported more than 1,000 coronavirus cases for a second day in a row on Thursday, as it widened compulsory wearing of face masks in an attempt to contain the outbreak.As of the end of Sept. 9, the country had 31,036 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 1,161 new cases identified by labs on that day alone.For Sept. 8, it reported 1,163 new cases, matching neighbouring Germany which has eight times the Czech population.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Coronavirus in Israel: 3,904 infections in the last day

The High Holy Days are rapidly approaching, and neither the country nor its leaders are sure how they will be celebrated: in or out of lockdown.The coronavirus cabinet will convene on Thursday to discuss the options, as the number of people infected with the virus continues to climb and hospitals say they are getting closer to breaking down.Some 3,951 people were diagnosed with coronavirus on Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported Thursday, setting a new record for the country. There were 487 people in serious condition, including 137 who were intubated. The death toll hit 1,055.The plan that coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu and the ministry will present is still somewhat unclear, though it appears that from the perspective of health professionals, there are two options: a total lockdown such as the one the country underwent on Passover, or a “breathing” closure which would involve tightening restrictions but not completely shutting down.The components of the Health Ministry’s plan are expected to include forbidding travel between cities; requiring people to eat meals with their immediate families or no more than 10 people; closing schools, retail establishments, restaurants and leisure activities; and scaling back at other places of business.The Finance Ministry, however, presented an alternative to Gamzu on Wednesday, stating that it strongly opposes a lockdown.According to the Finance Ministry, a general closure over a “holiday week” would cost the country NIS 4 billion, and a closure on a full week NIS 5 billion to NIS 6 billion.Its proposal involves allowing the education system to operate as usual, as determined at the beginning of the school year, except in red cities. Workplaces would also continue to operate under Purple Ribbon standards. However, there would be significant reduction in retail activity in all cities.The Finance Ministry said “there can be no total closure under any circumstances, as the damage will be enormous and it will be difficult to repair.”Self-employed workers and small businesses held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, where it was determined that if they are not provided advance compensation, they would break any High Holy Day closure.“We have lost faith in the government,” said Roi Cohen, president of LAHAV, the Israel Chamber of Independent Organizations and Businesses. He said another closure would bring economic disaster to the state, and that therefore businesses would not shut down.Representatives from the culture, tourism, fashion, restaurant, fitness and other sectors were present at the meeting.PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu held a round of preliminary phone meetings about the situation ahead Thursday’s cabinet meeting with a number of his ministers and Gamzu.The commissioner said on Tuesday that “the holiday season can increase infection, and that requires us to make complex decisions ahead of the holidays. We are working on that.”But media reports said that Gamzu did not make clear on Wednesday specifically what he will present at the cabinet, and that he prefers to wait until the last minute to make a final decision about Rosh Hashanah.It was agreed that the cabinet would examine designing a unique outline specifically for High Holy Day prayer services, which would need to be decided on earlier rather than later. This is because any outline that severely restricts gatherings would require the support of the local municipalities, which would have to find locations for so many prayer services and prepare them.On Tuesday, some 40 cities and neighborhoods across Israel were put under night curfew to help curtail the spread of the virus.However, on the first night, it appeared that many residents of these cities had no intention of following the rules.A huge hassidic wedding was held in Haifa on Tuesday night for the granddaughter of a prominent rabbi. The wedding was attended by hundreds of people. They wore masks, but they did not keep social distance, and the large crowd broke Health Ministry guidelines.Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush of the United Torah Judaism Party attended the event, though his representative said that he was present for only a few minutes at the event and called for directives to be observed.Police reported that they shut down a huge party at a club in Haifa, as well. At that event, people were not even wearing masks and did not keep social distance.Moreover, in several red cities it was reported that schools opened, despite their being shut down by the government.In the Arab town of Nazareth, it was also business as usual. The mayor told Radio 104.5 FM, “I want to tell the world that it is safe to come to Nazareth, and that’s it.“If you want to come and shut me down, come and shut me down,” he continued. “I place the responsibility on the government.... I will not let us completely collapse.”The police said that they had given out 1,213 tickets for breaking Health Ministry regulations in the last 24 hours.Interim Israel Police commissioner Motti Cohen instructed his officers to increase enforcement activity throughout Israel on Wednesday night, with a focus on red zones. He also reiterated that the cooperation of the public is necessary.“The police reiterate that the cooperation of the public is necessary,” he said in a statement. “The public is expected to abide by the provisions of the law and obey the police, as only together will we be able to maintain the health of us all.”Meanwhile, about 500 more IDF soldiers have joined the fight against coronavirus and will help support the police, the Defense Ministry said. These soldiers join about 4,000 who have already been enlisted for this purpose.“We will only see the results of these weddings two weeks later,” Health Ministry director-general Hezi Levi said Wednesday night in an interview with N12.Late Tuesday, Gamzu convened the heads of Israel’s largest hospitals for a meeting about the growing rate of infection. An insider told The Jerusalem Post that the heads of the hospitals are pushing for a closure, as the number of patients in serious condition continues to rise.Nearly all of the hospitals are reporting heavy loads of patients, all beds being full, and a concern that they will be unable to care properly for their patients. Multiple top doctors and heads of hospitals have told the Post in recent days that without more trained staff before the winter, the system will break down.Although the Health Ministry agreed to pay for additional nurses and doctors, hiring them has been a challenge for many of the institutions, the Post has learned.Levi said that if a closure is enacted, then it would need to last at least three or four weeks, adding in his interview with N12 that “if we continue with this increase in sick people, we will not be able to manage.”During an interview with the Hebrew website Ynet, Prof. Ran Blitzer said that “we have moved from a disturbing picture of high but stable morbidity to a more dangerous picture in which there is an increase in morbidity. This gives the hint that the time may be approaching for further steps, as we must not get to a place where the hospitals are full.”He added that “in the winter, there will be flu patients who will take up [hospital] beds.... Reaching winter in this way is a risk to public health that decision-makers will have a hard time living with.”But Hadassah head Prof. Zeev Rotstein told the Post he believes that blaming the hospitals for a lockdown is exaggerated.“The medical system can hold on,” he argued, stating that regarding Hadassah, which is located in the heart of one of Israel’s reddest cities, “we are coping with everything.”“The hospitals don’t need a closure, they are crying because [the sick] are overworking their teams,” he added. “Yes, indeed, we are working very, very hard. We have to work hard – this is war.”


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--China's People's Daily refuses to publish US ambassador's article - Pompeo

The Communist Party's People's Daily refused to publish an opinion piece by the US ambassador to China, whereas Chinese officials have been able to give their government's views in US media, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday."The People's Daily's response once again exposes the Chinese Communist Party's fear of free speech and serious intellectual debate – as well as Beijing's hypocrisy when it complains about lack of fair and reciprocal treatment in other countries," Pompeo said in a statement.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Body found in an open field near Ashkelon, police investigating

Police announced on Thursday morning that a body was located in an open field near Ashkelon.Investigators arrived on the scene and opened an investigation.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--India reports record daily jump of 95,735 coronavirus cases

BENGALURU - India reported record jumps in new coronavirus infections and deaths on Thursday, taking its tally of cases past 4.4 million, health ministry figures showed.In the last 24 hours, 95,735 new infections were detected, with 1,172 deaths accounting for the highest single-day mortality figures in more than a month, to push the toll beyond 75,000.Infections are growing faster in India than anywhere else in the world and the United States is the only nation worse affected.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Chinese fighter jets buzz Taiwan for a second day as tensions rise

TAIPEI - Chinese fighter jets approached Taiwan on Thursday for a second day in a row, the island's defense ministry said, urging China to stop "destroying regional peace" in a further ratcheting up of tension across the sensitive Taiwan Strait.China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has held numerous military exercises up and down its coast and near the island in recent weeks.The defense ministry said Su-30 fighters and Y-8 transport aircrafts were among the Chinese aircraft that entered Taiwan's air identification zone to its southwest on Thursday morning.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Portland votes for first-ever US ban on corporate use of facial recognition

Portland on Wednesday voted in favor of the first-ever ban in the United States on private entities, such as restaurants and retail stores, from using facial recognition technology in public places in the city.Portland's city council also voted to ban local government bureaus from acquiring or using the controversial surveillance technology. Several US cities, including San Francisco and Oakland, have previously banned government use of facial recognition.Facial recognition software can identify individuals in photos and videos based on a database of known subjects. The technology has won over businesses and police in the last few years despite objections from those who say it invades people's privacy and exacerbates racial and gender biases.The American Civil Liberties Union said it hoped the passage of the legislation in Portland would spur efforts to ban the use of such surveillance technology across the state of Oregon.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Mexican journalist who wrote about crime found beheaded

A Mexican journalist who wrote about crime in the violent Gulf Coast state of Veracruz was found beheaded on Wednesday, local media reported, the latest grisly murder of a reporter in one of the world's most dangerous nations for journalists.The body of Julio Valdivia, 44, who specialized in the "nota roja" journalism that focuses on gruesome crime and violence, was found in the remote Tezonapa municipality, about 100 kilometers from the state capital, Veracruz.A staff member at Valdivia's Diario El Mundo local newspaper in Veracruz said initially it was suspected that Valdivia might have been run over by a train, but that was ruled out by the prosecutor's office."Valdivia was found near the train tracks, beheaded and tortured," said the newspaper staff member, who did not wish to be identified.El Universal and several other local news outlets reported that Valdivia was beheaded, the fourth journalist death in Mexico this year.In 2019, about half of all murders of journalists around the world occurred in Mexico, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists."We condemn the homicide of Julio Valdivia," the Veracruz government said on its Twitter account.A local media protection group known as the CEAPP said in a statement that Valdivia did not have extra protection measures as he had not reported facing threats to his security. But the group demanded the authorities "shed light" on the murder.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Mainland China reports 15 new COVID-19 cases vs 7 a day earlier

The National Health Commission said in a statement all of the cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas , @ @ @ @ @ of no local infections .
The number of new asymptomatic cases also rose to 22 @ @ @ @ @ .
China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed COVID-19 cases .

Mainland China reported 15 new coronavirus cases on Sept. 10, up from seven cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said in statement.
The National Health Commission said in a statement all of the cases were imported infections involving travellers from overseas, marking the 26th straight day of no local infections.
The number of new asymptomatic cases also rose to 22 from 15 a day earlier. China does not classify these symptomless patients as confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in mainland China now stands at 85,168, while the death toll remains unchanged at 4,634.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Brazil reports 40,557 new coronavirus cases, 983 deaths

Brazil recorded 40,557 additional confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, and 983 deaths from the disease, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.Brazil has registered more than 4.2 million cases of the virus since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 129,522, according to ministry data.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--France protests after release of Taliban prisoners behind French deaths

`` France reiterates its firmest opposition to the release of individuals convicted of having committed crimes against French nationals , @ @ @ @ @ workers , '' the ministry said in a statement .
The militant group has insisted @ @ @ @ @ , including six objected to by Western governments such as France and Australia for insider @ @ @ @ @ Six were released on Thursday .

France's foreign ministry on Thursday protested against the liberation by Afghan authorities of two Taliban prisoners who had killed two of its citizens.
"France reiterates its firmest opposition to the release of individuals convicted of having committed crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers," the ministry said in a statement.
The militant group has insisted that 5,000 prisoners be released, including six objected to by Western governments such as France and Australia for insider attacks on their forces. Six were released on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Trump says US to cut Iraq troops to about 2,000 in 'very short' time

At a White House news conference , Trump went further than a U.S. official speaking last month , who said @ @ @ @ @ down to about 3,500 troops in Iraq in the next two to three months .

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that U.S. troop numbers in Iraq would be down to about 2,000 in a very short period of time.
At a White House news conference, Trump went further than a U.S. official speaking last month, who said the United States would go down to about 3,500 troops in Iraq in the next two to three months.
"Iraq will be down to about 2,000 soldiers in a very short period of time," Trump said.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Trump: Pompeo arrives in Doha for peace talks in Afghanistan

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel in Doha , Qatar , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Pompeo will take off tonight for a historic trip to Doha , for @ @ @ @ @ talks , '' said Trump .

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel in Doha, Qatar, for peace talks in Afghanistan.
"Pompeo will take off tonight for a historic trip to Doha, for the start of intra-Afghan peace talks," said Trump.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Top gamer 'Ninja' returns to Twitch after year-long hiatus

Tyler Blevins , known to millions as Ninja , rose to stardom playing battle-royale phenomenon `` Fortnite '' and is one of the world 's most-followed computer gamer .
Microsoft bought Mixer in 2016 hoping to rope in millions of paying subscribers looking to watch live streams of their favorite gamers playing popular games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto .
The videogame industry has largely benefited amid the COVID-19 pandemic as people played more games while staying at home and bought virtual in-game content across platforms , pushing June sales up 26 % to $ 1.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend in over a decade , according to research firm NPD .
Mixer , which had booked Ninja last year , has struggled to leave the shadow of market leader Twitch despite online streaming viewership booming under coronavirus lockdowns .
Microsoft 's Xbox division made the decision to close down the live-streaming service in June this year .
Ninja , who has over 15 million followers on Twitch , kicked off his stream today with the `` Fall Guys '' game .
Last year , Blevins was paid $ 1 million to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a move that helped the videogame maker add 10 million sign-ups in the first three days , Reuters reported .
( https : //reut.rs/2DNS42V )

Amazon.com Inc's video game live-streaming platform Twitch said on Thursday that top computer gamer Ninja has returned to its platform, more than a year after switching to Microsoft Corp's live-streaming service Mixer.
Tyler Blevins, known to millions as Ninja, rose to stardom playing battle-royale phenomenon "Fortnite" and is one of the world's most-followed computer gamer.
Microsoft bought Mixer in 2016 hoping to rope in millions of paying subscribers looking to watch live streams of their favorite gamers playing popular games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
The videogame industry has largely benefited amid the COVID-19 pandemic as people played more games while staying at home and bought virtual in-game content across platforms, pushing June sales up 26% to $1.2 billion. It is the highest June spend in over a decade, according to research firm NPD.
Mixer, which had booked Ninja last year, has struggled to leave the shadow of market leader Twitch despite online streaming viewership booming under coronavirus lockdowns. Microsoft's Xbox division made the decision to close down the live-streaming service in June this year.
Ninja, who has over 15 million followers on Twitch, kicked off his stream today with the "Fall Guys" game.
Last year, Blevins was paid $1 million to promote Electronic Arts Inc's Apex Legends, a move that helped the videogame maker add 10 million sign-ups in the first three days, Reuters reported. (https://reut.rs/2DNS42V)
The gamer had previously streamed himself playing alongside celebrities such as rappers Drake and Travis Scott, has sponsorship deals with Red Bull and Uber Eats and often appears on Instagram and Twitter alongside soccer players Neymar Jr and Harry Kane.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--US could restrict funds for malign activities over Navalny poisoning

`` Russia has used chemical nerve agents from the 'Novichok ' group in the past .
The Russian people have @ @ @ @ @ views without fear of retribution of any kind , '' deputy US Ambassador to the @ @ @ @ @ a council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria .
`` We urge Russia to cooperate @ @ @ @ @ 's investigation , '' she said .
`` Those responsible – both those who committed @ @ @ @ @ ordered it – must be held accountable . ''

"Russia has used chemical nerve agents from the 'Novichok' group in the past. The Russian people have a right to express their views without fear of retribution of any kind," deputy US Ambassador to the United Nations Cherith Norman-Chalet told a council meeting on chemical weapons in Syria.
"We urge Russia to cooperate fully with the international community's investigation," she said. "Those responsible – both those who committed this attack and those who ordered it – must be held accountable."
The United States told the UN Security Council on Thursday it will work with allies to hold accountable those responsible for poisoning Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, including "through restricting funds for malign activities."


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Coronavirus cabinet approves lockdown starting September 15

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Israel is heading toward a nationwide lockdown, the coronavirus cabinet ruled Thursday night, as the country passed more than 4,000 COVID-19 diagnoses in a single day, breaking a record.Ministers met for close to six hours on Thursday, deciding to impose a closure on the country beginning next Friday ahead of Rosh Hashana.The ministers argued late into the night with coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu about the scope of the restrictions.The final outline will be brought to a vote by the full cabinet on Sunday before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies to the United States.Gamzu, who since taking up his position nearly two months ago has been opposed to a lockdown, presented a plan to the government that would nearly close down the country through the High Holy Days.The outline expected to be approved on Sunday, will place the country in a full lockdown for two weeks starting next Friday.During the first two weeks, from September 18 until October 1, people will be confined to a 500m radius of their homes, all businesses will be closed – including retail and restaurants – and the education system will shut down. Essential services will continue, including pharmacies and grocery stores, which will remain open.Starting October 1, the 500m restriction is expected to be lifted, and 50% of employees are planned to be allowed to return to work. However, retail establishments and recreational activities will remain closed. A decision on reopening schools will be made at a later date.Restrictions will be eased further starting October 15 when Gamzu’s traffic light plan is expected to be reinstated.People will be allowed to gather to pray, in accordance with red zone rules – 10 people inside and up to 20 outside.The Finance Ministry has predicted that a closure could cost the economy up to NIS 10 billion.As the idea of a lockdown approached on Thursday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he called on the IDF to prepare, including calling up more reservists to assist in closed cities with distributing food and transporting sick to hotels.But Finance Minister Israel Katz, Science and Technology Minister Yizhar Shay and Economy Minister Amir Peretz pushed for a less restrictive plan that would still allow people to work.The Finance Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that “there can be no total closure under any circumstances, as the damage will be enormous and it will be difficult to repair.”On Thursday, the Military Intelligence’s Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center released a report verifying what Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Wednesday in an interview with N12: If the country locks down, then the closure must last for about a month.“Closure is a proven tool to reduce infection,” the report said, “when it lasts long enough.”The report indicated that with the current level of infection, it would take well over 90 days to reach an average 400 patients per day.A closure is not what the country expected when Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein chose Gamzu to be the coronavirus commissioner. Since his first days, Gamzu stressed: “I want more organization; partnership from the bottom.”During his first interviews he expressed the hope that he, together with the people, could stop the coronavirus. He told the public in August he expected that within a couple of months, Israel would have surfaced from the shadow of the COVID-19.“We are trying not to shut down the economy,” Gamzu repeated. “Closure is not the only way to treat coronavirus.”However, on Thursday, it was Gamzu who first raised the red flag on behalf of the healthcare system and said that “dramatic steps” would have to be taken.“Prof. Gamzu and the heads of the hospitals came to the coronavirus cabinet meeting today and waved a red flag,” the prime minister said in a video message late Thursday. “They said that although the number of serious patients in Israel is still relatively low, it can change in a snap. Then, the hospitals will not be able to treat them, and there will be many serious patients and many dead.”He said that Gamzu and the other medical professionals stressed that “action must be taken. But we must not take action without thinking. We cannot do it recklessly, so it takes a long time to make decisions. On the other hand, we had to make them early enough so that we can all get organized for the holidays, Yom Kippur and before that, of course, Rosh Hashanah.“I believe we will find a solution that will stop the disease and allow us to surface from these restrictions gradually and responsibly.” he said.Gamzu reportedly said at the meeting that the numbers are rising much faster than he expected, despite the night curfews placed earlier this week on red zones. He said the police are not succeeding to stop those who break directives and the public is not listening.More than 90 people died in the last week, bringing the death toll to 1,090 as of Friday evening. There were 979 patients being treated in the hospital – 486 in serious condition, including 146 who were intubated. On Thursday, 4,217 people tested positive for the virus.The number of sick patients in the haredi and Arab communities is exceptionally high and rising, with an increase in cases throughout the country – not just in red cities. Moreover, Health Ministry data has been showing that the number of cases of coronavirus in people over the age of 60 is growing; in the beginning of the second wave the virus appeared to be infecting mostly young people.It is likely that if steps are not taken, then the numbers will spike even more, because the school system opened up 10 days ago. The Education Ministry reported a week after school started that some 6.5% of Israeli students had coronavirus and 1% of schools were already shuttered by the virus.Gamzu has said the holidays could also negatively affect the infection rate.“Holidays are a time of many gatherings,” the commissioner said Tuesday at his weekly press briefing. “There will be eating [together] and therefore there is a danger of increased infection.”As Gamzu expressed during his first address to the nation, the public has lost trust in its decision makers. Seven weeks since he took the position, the people are still not following guidelines.Medical professionals, including Gamzu, have stressed that the traffic light plan is meant to be a virus management plan – it is not effective enough to bring down infection, especially when the system that the IDF is building to help contact trace and cut off the chains of infection is not yet ready. Gamzu said that it would not be fully operational until November 1.“The state must take all necessary measures to stop the virus,” said Dr. Nail Alias, head of the French hospital in Nazareth on Thursday, where there is a high level of infection. “There are many people guilty of causing the spread of the virus – the population that did not follow the necessary rules and the state that did not use all the tools at its disposal to eradicate the pandemic, as well as local authorities.“Now, we need to use all the tools at our disposal to cut the infection chains and stop the virus,” he concluded.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Coronavirus cabinet moves vote on High Holiday lockdown to Sunday


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--EU ready to take further action against Turkey if there is no dialog

In a statement published on Thursday , the Mediterranean littoral members of the EU , gathered for their seventh summit @ @ @ @ @ said they reiterated their `` full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in the @ @ @ @ @ on their sovereignty ... as well as confrontational actions by Turkey . ''
`` We @ @ @ @ @ of progress in engaging Turkey into a dialog and unless it ends its unilateral activities @ @ @ @ @ to develop a list of further restrictive measures that could be discussed at the European @ @ @ @ @ ''

In a statement published on Thursday, the Mediterranean littoral members of the EU, gathered for their seventh summit in Corsica, France, said they reiterated their "full support and solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in the face of the repeated infringements on their sovereignty... as well as confrontational actions by Turkey."
"We maintain that in the absence of progress in engaging Turkey into a dialog and unless it ends its unilateral activities, the EU is ready to develop a list of further restrictive measures that could be discussed at the European Council of September 24-25."
The European Union is ready to take further restrictive measures against Turkey if Ankara refuses to engage in a dialog to ease tensions that flared up after the country sent a survey vessel to map out possible oil and gas drilling in territory also claimed by EU member Greece.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--After hours of debate, Netanyahu's reveals his holiday outline


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Dozens protest in Tel Aviv against government's treatment of youth

Dozens of protestors marched from Habima Square in Tel Aviv towards the Independence Hall as part of students' union and other youth organizations protests against the government's treatment of youth, according to Walla! News.The slogan "a broken generation requires fixing!" was written on some banners that the protestors carried."We went out to the streets to take responsibly over our future. We have worked hard to build it here, and we are not willing to bury it. Everything that our leaders broke, we'll fix," said the organizers.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Qatar to host Afghani peace negotiations starting Sept. 12

CAIRO - The Qatari ministry of foreign affairs announced in a statement on Thursday that it will host Afghani peace negotiations starting Sept. 12.The ministry statement stated that the planned direct peace negotiations between different Afghani sectors is an important and serious step towards bringing lasting peace to Afghanistan especially after US and Taliban had signed a peace deal earlier this year.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--30-year-old woman shot to death in Rahat

A 30-year-old woman was shot to death in Rahat on Thursday, Channel 12 reported. Magen David Adom paramedics who arrived at the scene tried to revive the woman, but were forced to declare her death.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Turkey says EU should remain unbiased in dispute with Greece

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told the European Parliament on Thursday that the European Union did not have jurisdiction over maritime boundaries and it should remain unbiased in Turkey's dispute with Greece.The two countries have competing claims to continental shelves and rights to potential energy resources in the east Mediterranean. EU leaders will address the issue at a summit on Sept. 24-25, as Greece has called for sanctions on Ankara.Addressing the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee via videoconference, Cavusoglu said Turkey was ready for "unconditional" dialogue with Greece and the bloc.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Lebanese army says shot down Israeli drone that crashed in Lebanon

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM - Israel's military said on Thursday that one of its drones fell inside Lebanon during "operational activity" along the frontier, while the Lebanese army said it had shot it down."There is no risk of breach of information," an Israeli army spokesman said, offering no further details.The Lebanese army said in a statement that the drone "penetrated Lebanese airspace over the town of Aita al-Shaab and was shot down by members of one of the army posts."A similar incident occurred about two weeks ago.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Netanyahu: Hospitals raised a 'red flag'


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Cabinet vote on nationwide curfew delayed


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Russia's RDIF agrees to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine in Brazil

Russia's sovereign wealth fund RDIF said on Thursday that it had agreed to manufacture Russia's first registered COVID-19 vaccine "Sputnik-V" in Brazil.RDIF, which is backing the vaccine's development, also said it planned to supply up to 100 million doses of the vaccine to Latin America.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Saudi-led coalition intercepted missiles, drones headed towards kingdom

In a statement published on Saudi state news agency SPA , a spokesman for the coalition said the Iran-aligned Houthi @ @ @ @ @ the objects at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia , without giving more details .

In a statement published on Saudi state news agency SPA, a spokesman for the coalition said the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen had launched the objects at civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, without giving more details.
A Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had intercepted and destroyed a number of ballistic missiles and explosive drones launched towards the kingdom on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Egypt to hold parliamentary elections on October 24-25 – commissioner

Egyptians abroad will be able to vote on October 21-23 , Ibrahim added .

Egyptians abroad will be able to vote on October 21-23, Ibrahim added.
Egypt will hold parliamentary elections on October 24-25, elections commissioner Lasheen Ibrahim told a televised press conference on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Six prisoners sought by Taliban on flight to Doha – gov't sources

Six prisoners sought by the Taliban left Kabul on a flight to Doha on Thursday evening , paving the way for long-awaited peace talks to begin , two government sources told Reuters .
The prisoners , who are accused of insider attacks on Afghan forces and whose release was objected to by some Western powers , are to be kept under supervision in Qatar 's capital where United States-brokered peace talks will also initially take place .
`` The six will remain in Qatar until the end of November and could be transferred back to Kabul , '' one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one diplomatic source said the Afghan government negotiating team as well as peace council chairman Abdullah Abdullah were planning to fly to Doha on Friday and talks were expected to begin this weekend after months of delays .
The United States and other international players have been trying to usher the insurgent Taliban and the Afghan government to the negotiating table to bring an end to 19 years of war .
However , there have been deadlocks and delays since Washington signed its troop withdrawal pact with the insurgent group in February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban prisoners and 1,000 government prisoners would be released before talks .
The militant group have insisted that its own list of 5,000 be released , including six objected to by Western governments such as France and Australia for insider attacks on their forces .
The government source told Reuters the opening ceremony for negotiations was planned for Saturday followed by technical discussions on the agenda for talks .
Diplomats and analysts have cautioned in recent weeks that among the first challenging steps would be to agree to a ceasefire after violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent months , leading to deepening mistrust between the two sides .

Six prisoners sought by the Taliban left Kabul on a flight to Doha on Thursday evening, paving the way for long-awaited peace talks to begin, two government sources told Reuters.
The prisoners, who are accused of insider attacks on Afghan forces and whose release was objected to by some Western powers, are to be kept under supervision in Qatar's capital where United States-brokered peace talks will also initially take place.
"The six will remain in Qatar until the end of November and could be transferred back to Kabul," one of the sources told Reuters.
Three government and one diplomatic source said the Afghan government negotiating team as well as peace council chairman Abdullah Abdullah were planning to fly to Doha on Friday and talks were expected to begin this weekend after months of delays.
The United States and other international players have been trying to usher the insurgent Taliban and the Afghan government to the negotiating table to bring an end to 19 years of war.
However, there have been deadlocks and delays since Washington signed its troop withdrawal pact with the insurgent group in February that stated "up to" 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 government prisoners would be released before talks.
The militant group have insisted that its own list of 5,000 be released, including six objected to by Western governments such as France and Australia for insider attacks on their forces.
The government source told Reuters the opening ceremony for negotiations was planned for Saturday followed by technical discussions on the agenda for talks.
Diplomats and analysts have cautioned in recent weeks that among the first challenging steps would be to agree to a ceasefire after violence in the war-torn nation has grown sharply in recent months, leading to deepening mistrust between the two sides.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Jordan finds three coronavirus cases in largest Syrian refugee camp

Two of the cases in the Zaatari camp were Jordanians who worked there and the third was a Syrian woman @ @ @ @ @ broadcaster quoted the governor of Mafraq area , Yasser al Adwan , as saying .
@ @ @ @ @ UNHCR said in a statement the infected refugee had been sent an isolation area and @ @ @ @ @ The camp hosts nearly 77,000 Syrians .
The UNHCR confirmed on Tuesday the first two @ @ @ @ @ in the smaller Azraq camp since the pandemic was first reported in the kingdom .
@ @ @ @ @ infections of Syrian refugees living outside the camps , among the 2,739 cases in Jordan @ @ @ @ @ reported on March 2 .
Most of the more than 655,000 United Nations-registered Syrian refugees @ @ @ @ @ centers .

Jordan on Thursday confirmed the first three coronavirus cases in the country's largest camp for Syrian refugees, just a few days after discovering two cases in a smaller camp.
Two of the cases in the Zaatari camp were Jordanians who worked there and the third was a Syrian woman refugee, state-owned Mamlaka TV broadcaster quoted the governor of Mafraq area, Yasser al Adwan, as saying.
The United Nations refugee agency UNHCR said in a statement the infected refugee had been sent an isolation area and contacts were being traced. The camp hosts nearly 77,000 Syrians.
The UNHCR confirmed on Tuesday the first two cases of coronavirus among Syrians in the smaller Azraq camp since the pandemic was first reported in the kingdom.
There have been several other infections of Syrian refugees living outside the camps, among the 2,739 cases in Jordan since the first infection was reported on March 2.
Most of the more than 655,000 United Nations-registered Syrian refugees in Jordan live in urban centers.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--UK extradition hearing of WikiLeaks's Assange postponed for COVID-19 fears

Assange is fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011 .
Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourned the case until Monday after being told one of the lawyers representing the United States might have been exposed to the virus .
The lawyer was being tested on Thursday with the result due on Friday , she said .
`` At the moment we would respectfully submit we have to go ahead on the assumption that she has COVID , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London 's Old Bailey court where the hearings are taking place .
`` If that is the correct assumption ... we should n't really be here : COVID would be here in the courtroom and it 's not possible to tell how far it 's extended , '' he added .
The extradition hearings began for a week in February and were due to resume in May , but were then delayed until this week because of the coronavirus lockdown .
Assange 's lawyers have argued he should be granted bail because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he has suffered from respiratory infections and has had heart problems .
However , the judge has ordered him to be kept in jail because he is considered a flight risk , having skipped bail and fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted at the time to answer questions on alleged sex crimes .
Those allegations have since been dropped .

The London extradition hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was postponed on Thursday because of concern that one of the lawyers involved might have been exposed to COVID-19.
Assange is fighting extradition to the United States where he is wanted for conspiring to hack government computers and violating an espionage law over the release of confidential cables by WikiLeaks in 2010-2011.
Judge Vanessa Baraitser adjourned the case until Monday after being told one of the lawyers representing the United States might have been exposed to the virus. The lawyer was being tested on Thursday with the result due on Friday, she said.
"At the moment we would respectfully submit we have to go ahead on the assumption that she has COVID," Edward Fitzgerald, Assange's lawyer told London's Old Bailey court where the hearings are taking place.
"If that is the correct assumption ... we shouldn't really be here: COVID would be here in the courtroom and it's not possible to tell how far it's extended," he added.
The extradition hearings began for a week in February and were due to resume in May, but were then delayed until this week because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Assange's lawyers have argued he should be granted bail because he himself is at particular risk from COVID-19 as he has suffered from respiratory infections and has had heart problems.
However, the judge has ordered him to be kept in jail because he is considered a flight risk, having skipped bail and fled to the Ecuadorean embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden where he was wanted at the time to answer questions on alleged sex crimes. Those allegations have since been dropped.
Assange spent seven years in the embassy until he was dragged out last year.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Rocket hits perimeter of Baghdad airport, zero casualties

On Sunday , three Katyusha rockets landed within the perimeter of the airport .
One of them landed on an @ @ @ @ @ civilian vehicles , but caused no casualties .
Last week , in three separate incidents @ @ @ @ @ the airport or inside Baghdad 's heavily fortified Green Zone , which houses government buildings @ @ @ @ @ attacks also caused no casualties .
Washington blames such attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups .
@ @ @ @ @ on the incidents .

A Katyusha rocket fell in the vicinity of Baghdad airport but caused no casualties, Iraq state news agency INA said on Thursday, the second such attack on the airport this week.
On Sunday, three Katyusha rockets landed within the perimeter of the airport. One of them landed on an airport garage, damaging four civilian vehicles, but caused no casualties.
Last week, in three separate incidents several rockets landed either near the airport or inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign missions. Those attacks also caused no casualties.
Washington blames such attacks on Iranian-backed militia groups. Iran has not directly commented on the incidents.
The Middle East came close to a large conflict in January after a US drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at Baghdad airport. Iran-aligned militias have sworn to avenge their deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-09-10--Rambam hospital D-G Halberthal: We have to impose a nationwide curfew

Dr. Michael (Miki) Halberthal, Director-General of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa called on state officials to impose a nationwide curfew during a cabinet meeting, according to Walla! News."We have to restart the system," said the Director General.Earlier on Thursday, the coronavirus commissioner Professor Roni Gamzu said that "many hospitals report that they are in dire condition. We are getting closer to being overrun."


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Junta to appoint Mali leader in two-year transition, proposal says

Constitutional experts raised the prospect of two years of military-led rule in Mali following last month's coup at talks on Friday, defying calls by the West African economic bloc ECOWAS for elections within a year.The Aug. 18 coup that toppled Ibrahim Boubacar Keita led to swift economic sanctions by ECOWAS, which fears it could set a dangerous precedent in the region and undermine the fight against Islamist militants across West Africa's Sahel region.The experts' recommendations emerged on the second day of talks on a transition. ECOWAS, which stands for the Economic Community of West African States, has given the ruling junta until Tuesday to name a transitional president and prime minister.In an eight-page "charter of the transition" the experts wrote that a transitional period of 24 months was needed "in light of the complexity, the gravity and the structural depth of the Malian crisis".They recommended that the ruling junta, the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), choose the interim president and vice president and propose the prime minister, who would be appointed by the interim president.The recommendations have not yet been formally approved by the representatives of the CNSP, political leaders and civil society groups taking part in the talks, which are due to end on Saturday.Some Malian political leaders have insisted, along with ECOWAS, that the interim president is a civilian, but the document said the person can be a soldier or civilian.The candidate must be between the ages of 35 and 75 and would not be eligible to stand for election at the end of the transition, it said.Ghana will host a mini-summit of ECOWAS leaders next Tuesday, a spokeswoman for Ghana's foreign ministry said. It has not said what it will do if its demands are not met by then.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Sirens sounded in southern Israel false alarm

Rocket alert sirens sounded in southern Israel in the Gaza border communities on Friday afternoon.The sirens were sounded at Netiv HaAssara, a moshav of the Hof Ashkelon regional council.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Belarus declares 14 day quarantine period for arriving Israelis

A statement issued by the Belarusian ambassador to Israel further stated that Belarus does not intend to ban Israelis from @ @ @ @

A statement issued by the Belarusian ambassador to Israel further stated that Belarus does not intend to ban Israelis from enetering the country.
The government of Belarus has declared a 14 day quarantine period for Israelis arriving to the country, according to a government release.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Coronavirus update: 4,038 new diagnoses

Coronavirus update: 4,038 new diagnoses

Israel is heading toward a nationwide lockdown, the coronavirus cabinet ruled Thursday night, as the country passed more than 4,000 COVID-19 diagnoses in a single day, breaking a record.Ministers met for close to six hours on Thursday, deciding to impose a closure on the country beginning next Friday ahead of Rosh Hashana.The ministers argued late into the night with coronavirus commissioner Prof. Ronni Gamzu about the scope of the restrictions.The final outline will be brought to a vote by the full cabinet on Sunday before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies to the United States.Gamzu, who since taking up his position nearly two months ago has been opposed to a lockdown, presented a plan to the government that would nearly close down the country through the High Holy Days.The outline expected to be approved on Sunday, will place the country in a full lockdown for two weeks starting next Friday.During the first two weeks, from September 18 until October 1, people will be confined to a 500m radius of their homes, all businesses will be closed – including retail and restaurants – and the education system will shut down. Essential services will continue, including pharmacies and grocery stores, which will remain open.Starting October 1, the 500m restriction is expected to be lifted, and 50% of employees are planned to be allowed to return to work. However, retail establishments and recreational activities will remain closed. A decision on reopening schools will be made at a later date.Restrictions will be eased further starting October 15 when Gamzu’s traffic light plan is expected to be reinstated.People will be allowed to gather to pray, in accordance with red zone rules – 10 people inside and up to 20 outside.The Finance Ministry has predicted that a closure could cost the economy up to NIS 10 billion.As the idea of a lockdown approached on Thursday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he called on the IDF to prepare, including calling up more reservists to assist in closed cities with distributing food and transporting sick to hotels.But Finance Minister Israel Katz, Science and Technology Minister Yizhar Shay and Economy Minister Amir Peretz pushed for a less restrictive plan that would still allow people to work.The Finance Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that “there can be no total closure under any circumstances, as the damage will be enormous and it will be difficult to repair.”On Thursday, the Military Intelligence’s Coronavirus National Information and Knowledge Center released a report verifying what Health Ministry director-general Chezy Levy said Wednesday in an interview with N12: If the country locks down, then the closure must last for about a month.“Closure is a proven tool to reduce infection,” the report said, “when it lasts long enough.”The report indicated that with the current level of infection, it would take well over 90 days to reach an average 400 patients per day.A closure is not what the country expected when Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein chose Gamzu to be the coronavirus commissioner. Since his first days, Gamzu stressed: “I want more organization; partnership from the bottom.”During his first interviews he expressed the hope that he, together with the people, could stop the coronavirus. He told the public in August he expected that within a couple of months, Israel would have surfaced from the shadow of the COVID-19.“We are trying not to shut down the economy,” Gamzu repeated. “Closure is not the only way to treat coronavirus.”However, on Thursday, it was Gamzu who first raised the red flag on behalf of the healthcare system and said that “dramatic steps” would have to be taken.“Prof. Gamzu and the heads of the hospitals came to the coronavirus cabinet meeting today and waved a red flag,” the prime minister said in a video message late Thursday. “They said that although the number of serious patients in Israel is still relatively low, it can change in a snap. Then, the hospitals will not be able to treat them, and there will be many serious patients and many dead.”He said that Gamzu and the other medical professionals stressed that “action must be taken. But we must not take action without thinking. We cannot do it recklessly, so it takes a long time to make decisions. On the other hand, we had to make them early enough so that we can all get organized for the holidays, Yom Kippur and before that, of course, Rosh Hashanah.“I believe we will find a solution that will stop the disease and allow us to surface from these restrictions gradually and responsibly.” he said.Gamzu reportedly said at the meeting that the numbers are rising much faster than he expected, despite the night curfews placed earlier this week on red zones. He said the police are not succeeding to stop those who break directives and the public is not listening.More than 90 people died in the last week, bringing the death toll to 1,090 as of Friday evening. There were 979 patients being treated in the hospital – 486 in serious condition, including 146 who were intubated. On Thursday, 4,217 people tested positive for the virus.The number of sick patients in the haredi and Arab communities is exceptionally high and rising, with an increase in cases throughout the country – not just in red cities. Moreover, Health Ministry data has been showing that the number of cases of coronavirus in people over the age of 60 is growing; in the beginning of the second wave the virus appeared to be infecting mostly young people.It is likely that if steps are not taken, then the numbers will spike even more, because the school system opened up 10 days ago. The Education Ministry reported a week after school started that some 6.5% of Israeli students had coronavirus and 1% of schools were already shuttered by the virus.Gamzu has said the holidays could also negatively affect the infection rate.“Holidays are a time of many gatherings,” the commissioner said Tuesday at his weekly press briefing. “There will be eating [together] and therefore there is a danger of increased infection.”As Gamzu expressed during his first address to the nation, the public has lost trust in its decision makers. Seven weeks since he took the position, the people are still not following guidelines.Medical professionals, including Gamzu, have stressed that the traffic light plan is meant to be a virus management plan – it is not effective enough to bring down infection, especially when the system that the IDF is building to help contact trace and cut off the chains of infection is not yet ready. Gamzu said that it would not be fully operational until November 1.“The state must take all necessary measures to stop the virus,” said Dr. Nail Alias, head of the French hospital in Nazareth on Thursday, where there is a high level of infection. “There are many people guilty of causing the spread of the virus – the population that did not follow the necessary rules and the state that did not use all the tools at its disposal to eradicate the pandemic, as well as local authorities.“Now, we need to use all the tools at our disposal to cut the infection chains and stop the virus,” he concluded.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--26-year-old dies after violent incident in Beit Hanina, north of Jerusalem

A police report revealed that the man was shot to death , and subsequently opened an investigation .
Magen David @ @ @ @ @ responded to the incident , and treated the man on the scene , however his @ @ @ @ @ their arrival .
We provided medical treatment and performed resuscitation operations , but his untimely @ @ @ @ @ '' Tzvi Tabens , a MDA paramedic said following the incident .
`` When we @ @ @ @ @ the wounded man lying unconscious with no pulse , not breathing and with a significant @ @ @ @ @ and performed resuscitation operations , but his untimely death was ultimately called , '' Tzvi @ @ @ @ @ said following the incident .

A police report revealed that the man was shot to death, and subsequently opened an investigation.
Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics responded to the incident, and treated the man on the scene, however his death was determined shortly after their arrival.
We provided medical treatment and performed resuscitation operations, but his untimely death was ultimately called," Tzvi Tabens, a MDA paramedic said following the incident. "When we arrived on scene we saw the wounded man lying unconscious with no pulse, not breathing and with a significant bodily injury.We provided medical treatment and performed resuscitation operations, but his untimely death was ultimately called," Tzvi Tabens, a MDA paramedic said following the incident.
A 26-year-old died following a violent incident in Beit Hanina, north of Jerusalem on Friday morning.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--India reports record daily jump of nearly 100,000 coronavirus cases

India reported another record daily jump of 96,551 coronavirus cases on Friday , taking its case load to 4.5 million @ @ @ @ @ health ministry showed .
Infections are growing faster in India than anywhere else in the @ @ @ @ @ is the only nation worse affected .
Deaths have remained relatively low in the country @ @ @ @ @ upward trend , with more than one thousand deaths being reported every day for the @ @ @ @ @ Friday , 1,209 people died from COVID-19 , the ministry said , taking total mortalities @ @ @

India reported another record daily jump of 96,551 coronavirus cases on Friday, taking its case load to 4.5 million, data from the federal health ministry showed.
Infections are growing faster in India than anywhere else in the world and the United States is the only nation worse affected.
Deaths have remained relatively low in the country, but are seeing an upward trend, with more than one thousand deaths being reported every day for the last ten days.
On Friday, 1,209 people died from COVID-19, the ministry said, taking total mortalities to 76,271.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Zichron Ya'acov school closed after staff diagnosed with coronavirus

A school in Zichron Ya'acov, named Nili, shut down on Friday after a teacher was diagnosed with the coronavirus, Israel Hayom reported.The teacher was not the first to be diagnosed with the virus, and the multiple diagnoses caused the school to close.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--South Korea sees uptick in COVID-19 cases as cluster infections continue

The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention ( KCDC ) reported 176 new cases as of midnight Thursday , which brought the total infections to 21,919 , with 350 deaths .
A fresh wave of infections erupted at a church whose members attended a large protest in downtown Seoul last month have driven the daily tally to its peak in months at 441 .
The numbers had steadily dropped to their early 100s since the government imposed unprecedented social distancing curbs late last month , but showed a resurge this week even as less cases arose from the church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clusters continued to emerge from other religious gatherings , offices and medical facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area .
More than 72 % of the 161 locally transmitted cases from Thursday were reported from the regions .
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the consistent outbreaks are deepening concerns whether the government should extend or ease the distancing rules , including an unprecedented ban on nightly on-site dining in the greater Seoul area , due on Sunday .
`` It would be right to lift the restrictions , considering the sacrifices the people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worried if any hasty easing would lead to a re-spread of the virus and cause even greater pain for the public , '' Chung told a meeting .

South Korea posted a slight uptick in the daily number of its coronavirus cases on Friday even as infections from a church and a political rally that sparked a second wave of outbreaks ease.
The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 176 new cases as of midnight Thursday, which brought the total infections to 21,919, with 350 deaths.
A fresh wave of infections erupted at a church whose members attended a large protest in downtown Seoul last month have driven the daily tally to its peak in months at 441.
The numbers had steadily dropped to their early 100s since the government imposed unprecedented social distancing curbs late last month, but showed a resurge this week even as less cases arose from the church and the protesters.
Meanwhile, smaller clusters continued to emerge from other religious gatherings, offices and medical facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area. More than 72% of the 161 locally transmitted cases from Thursday were reported from the regions.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the consistent outbreaks are deepening concerns whether the government should extend or ease the distancing rules, including an unprecedented ban on nightly on-site dining in the greater Seoul area, due on Sunday.
"It would be right to lift the restrictions, considering the sacrifices the people are making, but we're as much worried if any hasty easing would lead to a re-spread of the virus and cause even greater pain for the public," Chung told a meeting.


jerusalempost--2020-09-12--Canada reports zero COVID-19 deaths for first time since March

TORONTO - Canada reported zero COVID-19 deaths in the past 24 hours for the first time since March 15, according to public health agency data released late on Friday.Canada's death toll from the pandemic stood at 9,163 as of Sept. 11, the same as the number of the deaths reported on Sept. 10, government data showed.But the number of positive cases rose by 702 to 135,626 on Sept. 11 from the previous day, the data showed.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Multiple teams of firefighters fight blaze in Netanya plastic factory

Teams of firefighters attempted to put out a fire in a Netanya plastic factory Friday night , according to Ynet @ @ @ @ @ reported that the building has burned to the ground .

Teams of firefighters attempted to put out a fire in a Netanya plastic factory Friday night, according to Ynet. Fire and Rescue Services reported that the building has burned to the ground.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Brazil coronavirus deaths rise above 130,000

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil registered 874 novel coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours and 43,718 additional cases, the nation's health ministry said on Friday.The country has now registered 130,396 coronavirus deaths and 4,282,164 confirmed cases in total.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Turkey condemns Bahrain decision to establish ties with Israel

Following the announcement of a normalization agreement between Israel and Bahrain countries throughout the Middle East reacted to the news, many praising it, while others condemned it.The United Arab Emirates on Friday welcomed the decision by Bahrain and Israel to establish relations, which it said it hoped would have a positive effect on the climate for peace and cooperation in the region and around the world."The move represents a significant step towards an era of security and prosperity ... (and) would expand the scope of economic, cultural, scientific, and diplomatic avenues of cooperation," the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement.The UAE will on September 15 normalize ties with Israel, which was announced last month. Bahrain and Israel will sign a declaration the same day.
These two brave men are legends in the GCC pic.twitter.com/IbVX1YR8fN — حسن سجواني Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) September 11, 2020
Nabeel Al-Hamer, media advisor to the king of Bahrain, said on Friday that Bahrain normalizing relations with Israel affirms that a fair and lasting peace is the best way to guarantee Palestinian rights.Egypt's president on Friday said he appreciates the "important step" of Israel and Bahrain establishing diplomatic relations.The agreement, announced on Friday, would help establish "stability and peace in the Middle East, in a way that achieves a just and permanent settlement of the Palestinian issue," President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Twitter.The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Saturday strongly condemned the decision by Bahrain to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, adding it will deal a fresh blow to efforts to defend the Palestinian cause."It will further encourage Israel to continue illegitimate practices towards Palestine and its efforts to make the occupation of Palestinian lands permanent," the ministry statement said.Jordan's foreign minister Ayman Safadi said in a statement on Friday, that the necessary steps to achieve a fair and comprehensive peace in the region should come from Israel.The minister added, after the announcement of a normalization of ties between Israel and Bahrain, Israel should stop all its procedures to undermine the two-states solution, and end the illegal occupation of the Palestinian lands.Additionally, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, a special adviser on international affairs to the speaker of Iran’s parliament, called the agreement a great betrayal to the Islamic cause and Palestinians."The imprudent leaders in UAE, #Bahrain must not pave the way for the Zionist schemes. They should learn lessons from history. Tomorrow is late! The US lifeline has worn out for years" tweeted Amir-Abdollahian, also a former deputy foreign minister.Bahrain joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalize relations with Israel, President Donald Trump said on Friday, a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.Trump tweeted out the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.Trump also tweeted: "Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!""This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East," the United States, Bahrain and Israel said in a joint statement."Opening direct dialog and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region," it said.Netanyahu said the agreement marks a "new era of peace.""For many long years, we invested in peace, and now peace will invest in us, will bring about truly major investments in Israel's economy - and that is very important," Netanyahu said in a video statement.Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-09-11--Fauci disagrees with Trump on coronavirus, cites disturbing US statistics

Top government infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said on Friday he disagreed with President Donald Trump's assessment the United States has "rounded the corner" on the coronavirus pandemic, saying the statistics are disturbing.Fauci, the outspoken director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the United States was starting the flu season with a high baseline of around 40,000 new COVID-19 cases a day and deaths are averaging around 1,000 daily.