jerusalempost--2020-02-18--UN Libya envoy says Tripoli port was attacked on Tuesday

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TRIPOLI/GENEVA, - Fuel deliveries in the port of Tripoli were disrupted on Tuesday when a missile almost hit a highly explosive gas carrier and the national oil company ordered all fuel tankers to leave the harbor.In an escalation of the battle for Tripoli, the Libya National Army (LNA), a faction based in the east of the country and commanded by Khalifa Haftar, said it attacked the port.It said it was targeting a Turkish ship it said had been delivering arms to the internationally recognized government based in the capital. It later targeted an arms depot.Tripoli port is a major gateway for food, fuel, wheat and other imports for the capital area, engulfed in war since the LNA began a campaign in April 2019 to take the city, where the U.N.-backed government is backed by Turkey.State oil firm NOC said it had urgently evacuated all fuel tankers from the port after a missile struck meters away "from a highly explosive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker discharging in the port.""Today’s attack on Tripoli port could have led to a humanitarian and environmental disaster," NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla said."The city does not have operational fuel storage facilities ... the consequences will be immediate; hospitals, schools, power stations and other vital services will be disrupted," he said.Tripoli-based forces said the LNA had fired four missiles.Since January, Turkey has sent several ships carrying arms and heavy trucks to Tripoli and Misrata, another western port allied to the Tripoli government, diplomats say.The LNA is allied to a parallel government in eastern Libya supported by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt , Jordan and Russian mercenaries. Eastern ports and airports are out of range of the Tripoli forces.Libya has been riven by factional warfare and disorder since rebels toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.Tuesday's attack on the port unfolded as officers from the Tripoli forces and the LNA held a second round of indirect talks in Geneva to establish a permanent ceasefire. Both sides refused again to sit in the same room, U.N. Libya envoy Ghassan Salame said, though he said he was hopeful of making progress."So while the situation on the ground remains a situation where the truce is very fragile... nobody has so far reneged on the principle of accepting the truce and the political process is trying to find a way to move forward," he told reporters.But, in a statement, an official in the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) cast doubt on whether Haftar was willing to negotiate."The people, towns, cities and civilian infrastructure of Libya continue to be attacked by Haftar, along with the UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Russia," said Mohamed Ali Abdallah, a GNA advisor. "Despite what we wanted, there is no ceasefire and he's no partner for peace. We need real, serious action now."Salame added that he had received conditions from tribesmen allied to eastern forces to lift a blockade of eastern oil export ports, but said these were quite general and would have to be fleshed out in more UN-led talks in Geneva next week.The port strike came as U.S. ambassador Richard Norland visited Haftar in his base near the eastern city of Benghazi."The Ambassador noted General #Haftar’s stated commitment to a permanent ceasefire and reiterated the commitment of the Berlin participants to de-escalation, the arms embargo, and a political solution to the conflict," the US embassy for Libya said.It was referring to a meeting in Germany last month where foreign powers agreed to push for a ceasefire and enforce an arms embargo.Libya's internationally recognized government suspended ceasefire talks hosted by the United Nations in Geneva after the attack on Tripoli port on Tuesday, the presidential council of the government announced in a statement.The government said in the statement that it will respond firmly to the attack in appropriate timing


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Gunman kills ex-wife at Bangkok shopping mall days after mass shooting

A man killed his ex-wife and wounded another person at a shopping center in Bangkok on Tuesday, police said, just 10 days after a mass shooting at another mall in Thailand's northeast.The gunman fled the Century The Movie Plaza mall, near the Victory Monument in the capital and is still on the run, police said.He had gone into a beauty clinic at the mall where his ex-wife worked and opened fire, killing her and wounding a bystander, Colonel Kissana Pattanacharoen said.The shooting came as Thailand is on edge after the shooting rampage earlier in the month.On Feb. 8 and 9, a soldier killed at least a dozen people at the Terminal 21 shopping center in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima. He had earlier killed his commanding officer, other soldiers at his base and several people at a Buddhist temple.Gun ownership is relatively common in Thailand, with about 10 million privately owned firearms in the country in 2016, according to Gunpolicy.org, or one for about every seven citizens.Gun violence killed 1,729 people in 2016, about 10 times the rate per 100,000 as in neighboring Malaysia, the organization said.Most violence involving firearms stem from personal disputes or robberies. Mass shootings or killings in public spaces are rare other than in the far south, where a decades-old insurgency persists.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--US-Taliban agreement to cut violence will start in next five days

An agreement between the Taliban and US forces to reduce violence will come into force within the next five days, Afghanistan's acting interior minister said on Tuesday."The RIV (reduction in violence) period will begin in the next five days, which will be based on the negotiations between the US and the Taliban," Masoud Andarabi, Afghanistan's acting minister of interior, told a gathering of provincial police commanders in Kabul.Last week, a senior US administration official said negotiations with Taliban representatives in Qatar had resulted in an agreement in principle for a week-long reduction of violence, but the seven-day period had not yet commenced.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--U.N. rights boss denounces attacks, deaths in northwest Syria bombings

GENEVA- Nearly 300 civilians have been killed in attacks this year in northwest Syria, 93% of them caused by strikes by the Syrian government and its ally Russia, the top United Nations human rights official said on Tuesday.In a statement expressing "horror at the scale of the humanitarian crisis," Michelle Bachelet denounced direct hits on or near camps of displaced civilians, as well as on medical and education facilities, including two hospitals on Monday. She has previously said such acts could be war crimes.Her spokesman Rupert Colville, asked whether Syria and Russia were deliberately targeting civilians and buildings protected under international law, told a Geneva briefing: "The sheer quantity of attacks on hospitals, medical facilities, and schools would suggest they cannot all be accidental."


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Two women found dead at home in Afula

Two women found dead at home in Afula

Two women were found dead at their home in Afula, according to a report by Maariv. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics located them without signs of life, later pronouncing their deaths at the scene.MDA paramedic Avi Amoyal said: "When we arrived at the building, firemen broke into the apartment and found two women unconscious, who were without a pulse and not breathing, and after being examined, their deaths were pronounced.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Japan: 88 more people from Diamond Princess diagnosed with coronavirus

Japan's health ministry reported that 88 more people from the Diamond Princess cruise liner have been diagnosed with coronavirus.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Iran's judiciary says jailed German freed, returned home

Iran has freed a German citizen sentenced to three years in jail, the Iranian judiciary said on Tuesday, a day after Tehran said a detained Iranian accused of violating U.S. sanctions had returned home from Germany."On Monday, a German citizen returned home. He was arrested while ago and was sentenced to three years in jail for taking pictures from sensitive places," judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in a televised weekly news conference. He did not give further details.Iran said on Monday that Ahmad Khalili, who was arrested in Germany on a U.S. request and subject to extradition to the United States, flew home on Sunday with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who had been in Germany to attend a security conference in Munich."We insisted that first the Iranian citizen should return home...then the German citizen was allowed to leave Iran on Monday," he said.Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals over recent years, mostly on espionage charges.Esmaili also said two French academics will appear in the court next month. France has called for the release of French-Iranian academic Fariba Adelkhah and her French colleague Roland Marchal, who had been detained since June.Iran has rejected France's call as an interference at Tehran's state matters."We do not recognize dual nationality. She is Iranian. We do not let other states to interfere in our judiciary matters. Their court session will be on March 3," Esmaili said.Adelkhah's lawyer told Reuters last month that Iran had dropped spying charges against Adelkhah but she faced other security-related charges.The issue has complicated ties between Tehran and Paris, both parties to a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. Washington exited the deal in 2018 and has reimposed sanctions that has hit Iran's economy hard.Rights activists have accused Iran of arresting a number of dual nationals to try to win concessions from other countries - a charge that the Islamic Republic has regularly dismissed.A Chinese-American detained in Iran in 2016 and later charged with spying was freed in December and an imprisoned Iranian was released by Washington in return.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--One Ukrainian soldier killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine

One Ukrainian soldier was killed and four wounded by enemy fire in the eastern Donbass region on Tuesday, the army said in a statement.Earlier the army had accused Russian forces of trying to cross Ukrainian lines, firing mortars, grenade launchers and machine guns.A simmering conflict between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 13,000 people since 2014 despite a ceasefire agreement struck in 2015


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--New French health minister: "Credible risk" of coronavirus pandemic

New French health minister Olivier Veran said on Tuesday there is a "credible risk" the coronavirus outbreak could turn unto a pandemic."This is both a working assumption and a credible risk," Veran told France Info radio, when asked about the possibility of the coronavirus becoming a pandemic.He said France was ready to deal with all the possibilities and its health system was sufficiently robust and well-equipped.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Foreign Ministry: Israelis aboard 'Diamond Princess' will return Thursday

The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the 12 Israelis aboard the `` Diamond Princess '' cruise ship will return to Israel on Thursday .
The message came Tuesday morning , hours after it was released , that an airplane paid for by three local insurance companies will leave from Thailand and travel to Japan as early as Wednesday to pick up from the ship the Israelis who are not infected with coronavirus .
The 14-seat private jet is being released with the aim of bringing the Israelis back to Israel after they finish undergoing medical tests in Tokyo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Embassy in Tokyo is handling all the aircraft landing arrangements in Japan and the logistics involved.Three Israelis who were diagnosed with the virus will remain hospitalized in the region .
The Israeli consul in Japan , Revital Ben Naim , and Prof .
Ran Nir-Pazmet with the Israeli couple who was diagnosed and said that they are in good condition and being taken care of .
Ben Naim and Paz are on their way to the third infected Israeli.By Thursday , all healthy Israelis are expected to be en route to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be quarantined The flight is being paid for by Harel , Clal and Migdal and will be manned by a foreign crew .
`` We are doing our utmost and working on several channels to bring Israelis back to Israel as soon as possible , '' said Yoel Amir , CEO of PassportCard .
`` The Thai aircraft is operational and will allow us to bring passengers to the country sooner .
We are awaiting the final approval of all the relevant officials . ''

Sheba will have "robots" that will monitor patients to help reduce the amount of time that nurses or other medical staff will need to spend in their rooms (Credit: Sheba Medical Center)
The 12 Israelis who have been quarantined aboard the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship should be back in Israel by Thursday, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.The ministry, working with the country’s three major insurance carriers – Harel, Clal and Migdal – has arranged for a 14-seat private jet to fly from Thailand to Tokyo on Wednesday to pick up the Israelis after they complete their medical examinations in Japan. Upon their return, they will spend 14 days in isolation in a special hospital unit being designed at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, as instructed by the Health Ministry.The facility will be housed in a building adjacent to the main hospital as a precaution to not infect other patients. The hospital allowed the media to photograph the location on Tuesday.The Israeli Embassy in Tokyo is handling all of the aircraft’s landing arrangements in Japan and other logistics. The plane will be manned by a foreign crew.Japan is slated to lift the ship’s quarantine around 4 a.m. Israel time on Wednesday.The three Israelis – a couple and a single woman – who contracted the coronavirus will remain hospitalized in Japan.Israeli consul to Japan Revital Ben Naim and Prof. Ran Nir-Paz from Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center met with the infected Israelis on Tuesday. They said the patients, who are being treated in Japanese military hospitals, are in stable condition and being well taken care of.In an interview with Israel’s 103FM, Nir-Paz praised Japan’s efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.“The Japanese, very wisely, have been able to prevent the virus from spreading throughout Japan or to the countries of origin of the ship’s passengers,” he said.People who stayed on the ship were undoubtedly at greater risk for catching Covid-19, Nir-Paz said. Some 500 people contracted the virus out of the 3,700 passengers and crew members who were onboard.It is likely that the Israeli patients will be released within a week and then could fly back to Israel on a standard aircraft, unable to spread the disease or to catch it, he said, adding that their symptoms were particularly mild.“The State of Israel remains better prepared than any other country” to tackle the coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Army Radio on Tuesday. “Neither the Israeli economy nor its foreign relations will be harmed by the government’s decision to ban citizens of Thailand, Macau, Singapore and Hong Kong from entering the country without first going into a 14-day quarantine.”“I reject this assertion outright,” he said, noting that measures like these have been key to preventing the virus from entering Israel.On Sunday, the Health Ministry instructed that all people returning to Israel from China, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan are to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days.On Monday, Interior Minister Arye Deri said Israel would prohibit anyone without citizenship from entering the country who recently visited or traveled through various Southeast Asian destinations.Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman met with National Security Council members to discuss methods that could be used to ensure that Israelis who return from those countries adhere to their quarantine, but no new measures have been put in place, Channel 12 reported.On Tuesday, the Health Ministry instructed citizens to stay updated “through the authorized bodies in the Health Ministry” and try to stay away from “fake news” about the spread of the virus, which it said has been wildly circulating on social networks.Earlier this week, the World Health Organization said there have been nine confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Eight cases were reported by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Prevention, and one case was reported by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. According to WHO, some of those in the region who contracted the disease have already fully recovered and been released from the hospital.According to Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore, as of Tuesday, 73,336 cases of the virus have been confirmed, and 1,874 people have died from it.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--IDF soldiers arrest man who crossed Gaza border fence

IDF soldiers stationed near the Gaza border arrested a man who crossed over into Israeli territory, according to a report released by Maariv.It is still now known whether the man was in possession of a weapon. This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Turkey to arrest 228 for links to cleric in probe of military, ministry

Turkish prosecutors investigating the military and justice ministry on Tuesday ordered the arrest of 228 people over suspected links to the network that Ankara says was behind a 2016 coup attempt, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.There has been a sustained crackdown on alleged followers of U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen since the failed putsch in July 2016, in which some 250 people were killed. Police still routinely carry out raids targeting suspects.In the latest moves, prosecutors ordered the arrest of 157 people, including 101 serving officers, in an investigation of the Turkish Armed Forces, Anadolu said. It said the operation was based in the western province of Izmir and stretched across 43 provinces.Separately, prosecutors in the capital Ankara ordered the detention of 71 people in an investigation targeting alleged Gulen supporters in the justice ministry, 33 of them currently working in the ministry, Anadolu said.Since the attempted coup, around 80,000 people have been jailed pending trial and some 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others sacked or suspended from their jobs.Turkey's Western allies and rights groups have criticized the scale of the crackdown, while Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the security threat.Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, has denied any involvement in the attempted coup.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Coronavirus threatens global antibiotics supply - European business group

The world could face a shortage of antibiotics if the pharmaceutical industry's supply problems posed by the coronavirus outbreak in China cannot soon be resolved, the head of a European business group in China warned on Tuesday.EU Chamber of Commerce President Joerg Wuttke told a roundtable in Beijing that the synchronization of supplies in China was being hampered by the outbreak, also highlighting problems in the car industry, while inventories were surging.He also noted that companies were running out of packaging material and faced challenges with regulatory uncertainties.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Japan to start trials using HIV treatment for coronavirus

`` We 're currently preparing to start clinical trials using HIV medication on the novel coronavirus , '' Suga , @ @ @ @ @ , said at a daily press briefing .
He added that he could not comment @ @ @ @ @ take for the new drug to be approved .
Japan now has seen over 500 @ @ @ @ @ than 450 of them from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama .

"We're currently preparing to start clinical trials using HIV medication on the novel coronavirus," Suga, the government's top spokesman, said at a daily press briefing.
He added that he could not comment on how long it would take for the new drug to be approved.
Japan now has seen over 500 coronavirus cases, with more than 450 of them from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama.
Japan is aiming to start trials soon using an HIV treatment for the coronavirus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Canada sends charter flight to Japan to evacuate citizens from cruise ship

A plane chartered by the Canadian government has left for Japan to evacuate its nationals aboard a virus-hit cruise ship off Yokohama, TV Asahi reported on Tuesday, citing a tweet by Canada's foreign minister.TV Asahi said the plane would return to Canada on Tuesday evening, and head to a Canadian air base in eastern part of the country. The Canadian embassy in Tokyo was not immediately available for comment.The Diamond Princess cruise ship has been under quarantine since early this month, leaving over 3,000 passengers and crew in confinement, after a passenger was diagnosed with the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--China's Hubei province reports 93 new coronavirus deaths

The death toll from a coronavirus outbreak in mainland China rose to 1,868 as of the end of Monday, up by 98 from the previous day, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday.The central Hubei province, the epicenter of the outbreak, reported 93 deaths, while in the provincial capital of Wuhan, 72 people died.There had been a further 1,807 cases detected in Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak, taking the total in the province to 59,989.Across mainland China, there were 1,886 new confirmed infections on Monday, bringing the total so far to 72,436.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Canada says it aims to evacuate citizens from virus-hit ship this week

OTTAWA, - The Canadian government aims to evacuate nationals aboard a virus-hit cruise ship quarantined off Yokohama on either Thursday or Friday, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Tuesday.Ottawa has chartered a plane which will land in Japan on Wednesday, Champagne told reporters on a conference call. There are 251 Canadians on board the Diamond Princess, of whom 34 have tested positive."Our aim is to evacuate the Canadians either on the 20th or 21st of February. It is going to depend on the final authorization by local authorities," he said. People showing signs of the virus will not be allowed to leave.On arrival in Canada the evacuees will be transported to a training base in Ontario for a 14-day quarantine period.With more than 3,000 passengers and crew, the ship has been in quarantine since early this month. A further 88 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total number of infected passengers to 542, Japan's Health Ministry said on Tuesday.U.S. government evacuation flights on Monday flew home more than 300 Americans who had been on board the vessel.Canada has already evacuated almost 400 people from the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan.The ship contains 15 Israelis, 3 of which have been diagnosed with the virus. The 12 uninfected are expected to be flown back home on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Former MK Yehuda Glick arrested by police - report

Former Likud MK and prominent Temple Mount activist Yehudah Glick was detained during a visit to the Temple Mount on Tuesday morning. He claimed the arrest was due to walking “too slowly” during his tour, yet Israel Police contradicted him in a statement, saying he was walking in an unauthorized zone. He was later released.Then, on Tuesday night, Police came to his home and arrested him. The former MK tweeted, "Police arrived at my house with a warrant and started flipping things over."According to Police, the search and arrest warrants were on suspicion that Glick took steps to disrupt the investigation into his detainment Tuesday morning, including stealing investigation materials before he left the interrogation room. A Police source told the Hebrew daily Haaretz that "the search was absolutely necessary."Glick later tweeted several photos from the event, saying: "Police officers are in my house at midnight after a day of harassing me."
החיפוש בעיצומוכל הבית באיפור של הילדה במכונת הכביסה pic.twitter.com/Oj59IF2S4n — yehudah glick (@YehudahGlick) February 18, 2020
Earlier in the day, Glick protested his initial detainment:“No one is told to go faster unless he is a Jew with a kippah,” Glick told The Jerusalem Post shortly after his release on Tuesday afternoon. “The discrimination against Jews on the Mount has reached a tipping point, and the time has come to stop it. I am going to continue fighting for ‘Temple Mount for all.’”According to police, early Tuesday morning, Jewish visitors ascended the Mount together with two members of the US Congress, who Glick identified as Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Jim Jordan (R-OH). That visit “went according to plans,” the police said in a statement.However, 10 minutes after the congressmen descended from the holy site, “One of the visitors came back on his own to the Mughrabi Gate area and entered the Mount without coordinating with the police, which is against the rules. Police approached the visitor, who did not listen to police orders, and continued with his provocative behavior,” the police said.“Police responded by detaining the visitor and removing him from the scene,” the police said. “He was arrested and handcuffed.”However, Glick described the situation differently. He told the Post that throughout the morning, police were rushing him and his visitors. Glick is a licensed tour guide.“They just kept saying, ‘Go faster and faster,’” Glick said. “Then they arrested me. During the investigation, they told me, ‘You are arrested because we told you to go faster, and you didn’t go faster.’”He said in recent months he had a sense that the “police are really against me for some reason,” so he had informed Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan, who oversees the site, that he would be ascending on Tuesday with “special guests.”Glick told Erdan he was going to be on the Mount from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. At 9 a.m., Erdan texted him to inquire how the visit went.“Ten minutes later, I found myself on the floor with handcuffs,” Glick recalled.A video widely disseminated on social networks showed the former MK flailing on the ground."The police harassment of former member of Knesset, Yehuda Glick, is violent and improper," said Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. "It cannot be that in the State of Israel police handcuff a man because he was walking too slowly in their eyes. It cannot be that a person is harassed in the middle of the night on grounds that raise questions marks."Glick was one of the most prominent figures fighting for improved visiting conditions for Jewish and all non-Muslim visitors to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site.Glick runs the Shalom Jerusalem Foundation, which he said centers on making the Mount the place it is supposed to be, as described in the Torah: “The Temple Mount is the world’s center of peace. It is a place where people are supposed to be peaceful.”Glick was shot in the chest at point-blank range by a Palestinian terrorist for his activism in 2014 and nearly died.He said since he left the Knesset last year, he has been going up on the Mount every Tuesday. This week, aside from taking the congressmen on a tour, he said he was celebrating his one-year anniversary with his new wife. His previous wife passed away.“Over the last few months, the same visitor has come to visit the Temple Mount and acted in a provocative manner,” the police statement said about Glick.For many years, Jewish visitors, especially those who are religious, were subjected to intense suspicion by the police and were regularly removed from the Mount for small infractions of the accustomed code of conduct.The Murabitun and Murabitat – Palestinian male and female “defenders of the faith” – who were paid to harass and scream at Jewish visitors, made visits very unpleasant. Glick and others campaigned to have them removed from the site, a step eventually carried out by former defense minister Moshe Ya’alon and Erdan, who is also public security minister.“The situation where, under Israeli sovereignty, Jews cannot freely walk around the Temple Mount without police supervision over their steps is delusional and absurd,” Yamina candidate Sarah Beck said in response to Glick’s arrest. “The policy of persecuting... Jews alone encourages Muslim extremism.“It would be better for the State of Israel to take steps against incitement and violence rather than against peaceful Jews who are only seeking to fulfill G-d’s commandments.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Jordan declares state of emergency fearing upcoming locust swarm

The Jordanian Minister of Agriculture Ibrahim Shahada announced a state of emergency on Tuesday evening in anticipation of an upcoming locust attack.The swarm came to Saudi Arabia from Yemen and is currently in the Hail city area , roughly 500 KM from the Saudi Arabia-Jordan border.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu: If Gantz can’t make up his mind, let him speak with Tibi

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening that if Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is unable to make up his mind if he should debate on live television with the prime minister and “he could speak with [Arab-Israeli MK Ahmed] Tibi.”“Tibi is a very smart man,” he said, “he could talk with him about it.”Netanyahu repeatedly argued that Gantz would not be able to form a government without the support of Arab-Israeli MKs such as Tibi, a member of the Joint List.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu to Gantz: You are afraid to face the judgment of the public

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz “has a problem" and "cannot handle pressure” while speaking on Channel 20 on Tuesday evening.Netanyahu claimed he, on the other hand, withstood great pressure during his years as prime minister.“If he can’t confront me on live television, how will he lead the nation?” Netanyahu asked.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu: We will transform the Israeli healthcare system

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed Blue and White leader Benny Gantz for “failing in the one company he led,” referring to The Fifth Dimension. Netanyahu added that, should he win the March elections, he will transform the Israeli health system.“People ask me, why didn’t you all this before?” He complained, “well I can’t build the fourth floor before I built the ground floor.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu: We want to reduce the number of undocumented Sudanese migrants

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that, following the changes in Sudan, he thinks Israel can safely return undocumented Sudanese migrants to their country of origin.“I am not letting go of this issue,” he said, claiming the numbers of Sudanese citizens living in the country illegally is down.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu: US gave us land regardless of what Palestinians say about it

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday evening while speaking on Channel 20 that “the US gave us a huge piece of land regardless of what the Palestinians say” to the Deal of the Century.“Unless [Likud] is in office,” he said, “nothing will happen.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Arab-Israeli woman to Netanyahu: We Arabs wish we had a leader like you

An Arab-Israeli woman speaking on live air on Channel 20 on Tuesday told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “ we @ @ @ @ @ leader like you.
” Dima Taaya , the woman speaking to Netanyahu , is from @ @ @ @ @ thanks to Netanyahu the sewage issues in her city were solved .
She slammed the @ @ @ @ @ speak about Palestinian issues , but “ do nothing . ''

An Arab-Israeli woman speaking on live air on Channel 20 on Tuesday told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “we Arabs wish we had a leader like you.”
Dima Taaya, the woman speaking to Netanyahu, is from Qalansawe, and said that thanks to Netanyahu the sewage issues in her city were solved.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Netanyahu: It will be a sad day for Israel if Gantz becomes prime minister

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it would be a sad day for the State of Israel if Blue and @ @ @ @ @ government with Arab-Israeli MKs .
Netanyahu said that Gantz “ ca n't form a government @ @ @ @ @ and said that a vote for Blue and White is a vote for Arab-Israeli MKs @ @ @ @ @ election.
” Netanyahu joined Justice Minister Amir Ohana and called for the release of the @ @ @ @ @ Avichai Mandelblit and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it would be a sad day for the State of Israel if Blue and White leader will form a government with Arab-Israeli MKs.
Netanyahu said that Gantz “can't form a government without the Joint List” and said that a vote for Blue and White is a vote for Arab-Israeli MKs or “for a fourth election.”
Netanyahu joined Justice Minister Amir Ohana and called for the release of the recorded conversations between current Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Russia's Rosneft says new US sanctions on its unit are an 'outrage'

MOSCOW - Russian oil giant Rosneft said new sanctions imposed by the United States against its subsidiary Rosneft Trading are an "outrage," TASS news agency reported on Tuesday, citing a representative of the group.Neither Rosneft nor its units have ever engaged in illegal activities, TASS quoted the representative, speaking to Kommersant.FM radio station, as saying.The United States on Tuesday tightened financial restrictions on Venezuela, blacklisting the Rosneft subsidiary which President Donald Trump's administration said provides a financial lifeline to President Nicolas Maduro's government.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Will Rivlin be met with protesters when he lands in Australia?

President Reuven Rivlin departed for Australia on Tuesday , marking his first time visit to the fifth continent while in @ @ @ @ @ to provide his hosts with the latest legal updates concerning the case and to point @ @ @ @ @ everything to speed up the extradition process .
Leifer was convicted of multiple sexual assaults @ @ @ @ @ in her native Australia .
She was able to flee to Israel and convince authorities @ @ @ @ @ stand trial , a decision challenged by many in both Australia and Israel .

President Reuven Rivlin departed for Australia on Tuesday, marking his first time visit to the fifth continent while in office.
Some, however, express concern that Rivlin will be confronted with protesters who will demand Israel extradite Malka Leifer, Ynet reported
Rivlin is expected to provide his hosts with the latest legal updates concerning the case and to point out that Israel is doing everything to speed up the extradition process.
Leifer was convicted of multiple sexual assaults against her young female students in her native Australia. She was able to flee to Israel and convince authorities she is mentally unfit to stand trial, a decision challenged by many in both Australia and Israel.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Coronavirus: Russia bars entry of Chinese citizens

MOSCOW - Russia will suspend entry of Chinese citizens to its territory starting from Feb. 20, Russian authorities in charge of coronavirus prevention said on Tuesday.Travel restrictions of some form to prevent the spread of the disease, which has now killed more than 1,800 people, have been imposed by many countries to ease the risks of its spread.The suspension will be for Chinese citizens entering Russia for employment, private, educational and tourist purposes. The suspension will be temporary, the statement said."The restrictions will not affect transit passengers," Russian authorities added.China reported its fewest new coronavirus infections since January on Tuesday and its lowest daily death toll for a week, but the World Health Organization said data suggesting the epidemic had slowed should still be viewed with caution.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Blue and White slams Netanyahu: Will have to speak the truth

Blue and White released an election video on Tuesday slamming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who , they say , “ @ @ @ @ @ truth for the first time ” during his trial .
The date of the trial @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
“ The age of Netanyahu is over , ” the video concludes .

Blue and White released an election video on Tuesday slamming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who, they say, “will have to speak the truth for the first time” during his trial.
The date of the trial had been set for March 17.
“The age of Netanyahu is over,” the video concludes.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--WHO chief: 92 human-to-human coronavirus cases in 12 states outside China

He said the WHO had not seen sustained local transmission except in specific cases , such as on the Diamond @ @ @ @ @ Japan .

There have been 92 cases of human-to-human spread of the coronavirus in 12 countries outside China but the World Health Organization does not have the data to make comparisons with China, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday.
He said the WHO had not seen sustained local transmission except in specific cases, such as on the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan.
China has reported 72,528 cases to WHO including 1,850 deaths as of Tuesday morning, Tedros said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Man jumps onto train tracks at Ben-Gurion Airport, killed

A man deied after leaping from one of the top floors of the Ben-Gurion Airport on Tuesday and landed at the train tracks, The Train Authority reported, adding that he was not struck by the train.Train traffic resumed after emergency teams were called on the scene.It is not yet known why he leapt or what caused his fall.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Trump slams China trade restrictions, says national security is no excuse

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted proposed restrictions on trade with China and said national security cannot be used as an "excuse" to make it difficult for foreign countries to buy US products.The series of tweets was an apparent reference to reports over the weekend that the US government is considering whether to block General Electric Co from continuing to supply engines for a new Chinese passenger jet.Washington is also eyeing limits on other components for Chinese commercial aircraft such as flight control systems made by Honeywell International Inc.Center to the possible crackdown on the sale of US parts to China's aircraft industry is whether shipments could fuel the rise of a serious competitor to U.S.-based Boeing Co or boost China's military capabilities."The United States cannot, & will not, become such a difficult place to deal with in terms of foreign countries buying our product, including for the always used National Security excuse, that our companies will be forced to leave in order to remain competitive," Trump wrote on Twitter."As an example, I want China to buy our jet engines, the best in the World," he added.Trump did not identify the restrictions. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Chanel, Prada cancel fashion shows in Asia due to coronavirus

Chanel said in a statement that following the guidance of Chinese authorities it had decided to postpone its Beijing replica of a catwalk display held in Paris last December `` to a later and more appropriate moment . ''
Chanel was monitoring the situation closely , it said , adding : `` At the foremost are the health and well-being of its teams and clients '' .
No new date was given for the event .
The show was a presentation of its so-called `` Metiers d'art collection '' , a showcase of its most intricate craftwork and handstitched outfits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set designed by film director Sofia Coppola , inspired by the apartment where founder Coco Chanel had lived in the early 1900s .
Chanel , one of the world 's biggest luxury brands by sales alongside LVMH 's Louis Vuitton , did not disclose any financial details for the show .
Prada said in a separate statement it had put off its Prada Resort fashion show in Japan , originally scheduled for May 21 .
The Hong Kong-listed group said the decision had been taken as a precautionary measure as well as `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all those working on and planning to attend the show .
`` Japan remains one of Prada 's strategic markets and relevant events will be scheduled in the country at a more appropriate moment , '' it said .
Asia , and China in particular , are an important and lucrative market for major fashion companies including Chanel , Prada , LVMH , Kering and Burberry .
Luxury goods companies are already facing a sales hit from the coronavirus outbreak as they shutter shops in China and shelve advertising campaigns in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ account for a third of the luxury goods industry 's clientele .

Chanel and Prada said on Tuesday they have postponed fashion shows due to be held in Asia in May over concerns linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Chanel said in a statement that following the guidance of Chinese authorities it had decided to postpone its Beijing replica of a catwalk display held in Paris last December "to a later and more appropriate moment."
Chanel was monitoring the situation closely, it said, adding: "At the foremost are the health and well-being of its teams and clients". No new date was given for the event.
The show was a presentation of its so-called "Metiers d'art collection", a showcase of its most intricate craftwork and handstitched outfits.
The Paris event had featured a set designed by film director Sofia Coppola, inspired by the apartment where founder Coco Chanel had lived in the early 1900s.
Chanel, one of the world's biggest luxury brands by sales alongside LVMH's Louis Vuitton, did not disclose any financial details for the show.
Prada said in a separate statement it had put off its Prada Resort fashion show in Japan, originally scheduled for May 21.
The Hong Kong-listed group said the decision had been taken as a precautionary measure as well as "an act of responsibility and respect" for all those working on and planning to attend the show.
"Japan remains one of Prada's strategic markets and relevant events will be scheduled in the country at a more appropriate moment," it said.
Asia, and China in particular, are an important and lucrative market for major fashion companies including Chanel, Prada, LVMH, Kering and Burberry.
Luxury goods companies are already facing a sales hit from the coronavirus outbreak as they shutter shops in China and shelve advertising campaigns in the world's second-largest economy. Chinese shoppers account for a third of the luxury goods industry's clientele.
Gucci and other luxury labels owned by France's Kering last week said they expected smaller crowds at their catwalk shows this month, with Chinese buyers and influencers set to miss the major marketing fixture.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--French drugmaker Sanofi to partner with US agency for coronavirus vaccine

The French drugmaker said it intended to further investigate an advanced pre-clinical vaccine candidate previously developed against the SARS virus @ @ @ @ @ which it believes could protect against the latest coronavirus .
At least a dozen drugmakers @ @ @ @ @ antivirals and other treatments to help those infected with the fast-spreading contagion .

Sanofi said on Tuesday it was working with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) of the U.S. Health Department to develop a vaccine against the new coronavirus from China.
The French drugmaker said it intended to further investigate an advanced pre-clinical vaccine candidate previously developed against the SARS virus in the early 2000s, which it believes could protect against the latest coronavirus.
At least a dozen drugmakers are working on vaccines or antivirals and other treatments to help those infected with the fast-spreading contagion.
Johnson & Johnson said last week it was collaborating with BARDA to speed up development of a coronavirus vaccine.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Israel to expand Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles - COGAT

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories ( COGAT ) said on Tuesday that it will expand the Gaza @ @ @ @ @ miles and add 2,000 entry permits to Israel to Gaza Strip merchants , Kan reported @ @ @ @ @ calm in the Gaza Strip .

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said on Tuesday that it will expand the Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles and add 2,000 entry permits to Israel to Gaza Strip merchants, Kan reported.
The decision follows relative calm in the Gaza Strip.


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Ashraf Ghani wins Afghanistan presidential poll – election commission

Polls were held on Sept. 28 to select a president for the fourth time since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban government in 2001 , but the process was marred by allegations of rigging , technical problems with biometric devices used for voting , attacks and other irregularities.. Ghani won 50.64 % of the vote , the Independent Election Commission ( IEC ) said on Tuesday .
Abdullah Abdullah , Ghani 's former deputy and main rival , was named runner-up with 39.52 % .
The IEC announced “ preliminary results ” in December in which Ghani , a former World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slim margin , but Abdullah Abdullah dismissed the result as fraudulent and called for a full review .
Ghani rejected the allegations .
`` We are out of the election process .
Neither the institution called IEC has legitimacy in our eyes , nor the result they might announce , '' the head of Abdullah Abdullah 's campaign team , Fazal Ahmad Manawi , said on Twitter just before Tuesday 's announcement .
`` The reason for this lack of legitimacy is clear to all as much as the sun is .
Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injustices done . ''
The result echoes 2014 , when both Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah alleged massive fraud by the other side , forcing the United States to broker an awkward power-sharing arrangement that made Ghani president and Abdullah Abdullah his chief executive .
The relationship has since been marred by distrust and a jostling for power in Kabul .
A potential political crisis looms as the United States and the Taliban near an agreement in Doha , which officials on both sides say could be announced soon if an initial reduction in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Afghanistan 's acting interior minister said that the RIV would be enforced within five days .
The agreement is set to pave the way for crucial intra-Afghan talks between the political leadership and the Taliban .
The militants have so far refused to talk to the government , which they have dismissed as a U.S. puppet .
Two Western diplomats in Kabul told Reuters that the election result was vital .

Afghanistan declared incumbent Ashraf Ghani the winner of a disputed presidential election held almost five months ago, a result that could trigger new turmoil amid accusations of fraud and hopes of a possible peace deal with Taliban militants.
Polls were held on Sept. 28 to select a president for the fourth time since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban government in 2001, but the process was marred by allegations of rigging, technical problems with biometric devices used for voting, attacks and other irregularities..
Ghani won 50.64% of the vote, the Independent Election Commission (IEC) said on Tuesday. Abdullah Abdullah, Ghani's former deputy and main rival, was named runner-up with 39.52%.
The IEC announced “preliminary results” in December in which Ghani, a former World Bank official, won re-election by a slim margin, but Abdullah Abdullah dismissed the result as fraudulent and called for a full review. Ghani rejected the allegations.
"We are out of the election process. Neither the institution called IEC has legitimacy in our eyes, nor the result they might announce," the head of Abdullah Abdullah's campaign team, Fazal Ahmad Manawi, said on Twitter just before Tuesday's announcement.
"The reason for this lack of legitimacy is clear to all as much as the sun is. Time will show justice to all of these injustices done."
The result echoes 2014, when both Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah alleged massive fraud by the other side, forcing the United States to broker an awkward power-sharing arrangement that made Ghani president and Abdullah Abdullah his chief executive.
The relationship has since been marred by distrust and a jostling for power in Kabul.
A potential political crisis looms as the United States and the Taliban near an agreement in Doha, which officials on both sides say could be announced soon if an initial reduction in violence (RIV) is successfully observed.
Afghanistan's acting interior minister said that the RIV would be enforced within five days.
The agreement is set to pave the way for crucial intra-Afghan talks between the political leadership and the Taliban. The militants have so far refused to talk to the government, which they have dismissed as a U.S. puppet.
Two Western diplomats in Kabul told Reuters that the election result was vital.
“It was high time we got the results," one said on condition of anonymity. "All Western powers were deeply invested in the democratic process."


jerusalempost--2020-02-18--Russian on board 'Diamond Princess' diagnosed with coronavirus – embassy

Russia's embassy in Japan said on Tuesday that a Russian woman earlier said to have been diagnosed with coronavirus on a cruise ship docked in Japan does not have the virus, but that her husband, who is also on board, had tested positive.Russia's embassy had said on Monday that the wife had contracted coronavirus. Both of them have been hospitalized, the embassy said in a post on Facebook.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--One Israeli among four killed in plane accident in Australia

Four people have been killed in a mid-air collision between two light aircraft about 120 kilometers from Melbourne. Among those killed was an Israeli civilian.The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that Israeli national Ido Segev, 31, was among the dead. The ministry is in contact with the local Israeli consulate, and the family has been notified. Segev appears to have been a long-term resident of Australia “We are working with the family during this difficult time, and we are helping them with everything related to bringing the deceased back to Israel for burial,” the ministry said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, according to Israel National News.The twin-engine planes fell from the sky after colliding at 4,000 feet near the town of Seymour, central Victoria, in Australia's first mid-air crash in over a decade.One of the planes was a Piper Seminole registered to flight school Moorabbin Aviation Services, which had only been in the air for a few minutes. The occupants were believed to be undertaking instrument training. The other was a Beechcraft Travel Air registered to a private owner at Tyabb, on the Mornington Peninsula, from where it had traveled before the collision occurred.“Unfortunately, they collided mid-air, and unfortunately the occupants of both planes are deceased,” said Victoria Police spokesman Peter Koger, according to Israel National News.It was unclear why the planes were on the same trajectory and why they didn't avoid each other, although cloud cover was raised as a possibility."One plane almost certainly crashed immediately and the other plane crashed about two kilometers north from here. Both were extensively damaged prior to colliding with the ground," he added, according to The Australian."There were some people in the paddocks at the back of this facility, and there was also a helicopter in the air. We're working with them to get witness statements.’’Koger also appealed for anyone with dashcam footage from nearby roads to come forward and assist with the investigation.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Flight arrives at Aleppo Airport for first time in 8 years

`` Putting Aleppo International Airport into service again , and the return of the internal flight , and later the @ @ @ @ @ victory which has been achieved thanks to the scarifies of the heroic Syrian Army and @ @ @ @ @ people who stand by their army to liberate Aleppo and the rest of the Syrian @ @ @ @ @ Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud .
The Transport Ministry announced the reopening of the airport @ @ @ @

"Putting Aleppo International Airport into service again, and the return of the internal flight, and later the external flights is a significant victory which has been achieved thanks to the scarifies of the heroic Syrian Army and the steadfastness of the Syrian people who stand by their army to liberate Aleppo and the rest of the Syrian Arab territories," said Syrian Transport Minister Ali Hammoud.
The Transport Ministry announced the reopening of the airport earlier this week.
A flight arrived at the Aleppo International Airport from Damascus for the first time in over eight years after it was closed due to fighting in the area, according to the Syrian SANA news agency.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--London Heathrow halts takeoffs due to aircraft blocking runway

`` Takeoffs halted at London Heathrow , '' Airlive said .
`` An aircraft is blocking runway 27R at London @ @ @

London's Heathrow airport halted some flights due to an aircraft blocking one its runways, the Airlive news website reported.
"Takeoffs halted at London Heathrow," Airlive said. "An aircraft is blocking runway 27R at London Heathrow."
A spokeswoman at Heathrow declined immediate comment.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Egypt says foreigner thought to be carrying coronavirus has tested negative for it

A foreigner in Egypt who was thought to be carrying the coronavirus has tested negative for it, Egyptian state TV said on Wednesday, citing the health ministry.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--US Secretary of State Pompeo to visit Saudi Arabia until Friday

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet with King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan during a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia starting on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--China to tackle misuse of coronavirus funds by local governments

China's finance ministry said on Wednesday it would tackle any local governments' misuse of special funds meant to pay for the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.The ministry said it would investigate and punish irregularities including the embezzlement or misallocation of the funds allocated by the central government.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Police close Jerusalem bakery for handing out bread to Friday worshipers

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center , a Silwan-based watchdog , posted a video showing the closed bakery located at Bab @ @ @ @ @ doors to the Temple Mount complex .
Tensions have been high on the Temple Mount @ @ @ @ @ Hamas and other Palestinian groups have called for mass attendance at Fajr dawn prayers on @ @ @ @ @ and other Muslim holy sites .
The Trump Administration 's `` Deal of the Century @ @ @ @ @ contributed to heightened tensions as well .
The campaign for attendance at Fajr prayers , @ @ @ @ @ day before sunrise , is being conducted in protest of “ Israeli Judaization schemes ” @ @ @ @ @ West Bank , including at the Temple Mount and the Cave of the Patriarchs .

The Wadi Hilweh Information Center, a Silwan-based watchdog, posted a video showing the closed bakery located at Bab Hutta, one of the doors to the Temple Mount complex.
Tensions have been high on the Temple Mount in the past month as Hamas and other Palestinian groups have called for mass attendance at Fajr dawn prayers on Fridays at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Muslim holy sites. The Trump Administration's "Deal of the Century" Middle East peace plan contributed to heightened tensions as well.
The campaign for attendance at Fajr prayers, the first ones of the day before sunrise, is being conducted in protest of “Israeli Judaization schemes” at religious sites in the West Bank, including at the Temple Mount and the Cave of the Patriarchs.
Israel Police shut down a bakery in the Old City of Jerusalem and arrested Nasser Abu Sneina, the owner of the shop, for handing out free bread to Muslim worshipers on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Pompeo says prepared to talk to Iran 'anytime,' pressure to continue

`` We are not rushed , the pressure campaign continues .
It 's not just an economic pressure campaign ... @ @ @ @ @ as well , '' Pompeo told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa before boarding @ @ @ @ @ .

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday said authorities in Washington were prepared to talk to Iran "anytime," but that it needed to "fundamentally" change its behavior and that a campaign of maximum pressure against it would continue.
"We are not rushed, the pressure campaign continues. It's not just an economic pressure campaign... it's isolation through diplomacy as well," Pompeo told reporters in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa before boarding a flight to Saudi Arabia.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Black box of Ukraine plane downed in Iran noticeably damaged

The box `` has sustained noticeable damage and it has been requested of the defense industry to help in reconstructing @ @ @ @ @ Amir Hatami said .

The black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane shot down accidentally in Iran last month is significantly damaged, Iran's defense minister said on Wednesday, according to state media.
The box "has sustained noticeable damage and it has been requested of the defense industry to help in reconstructing (it)," Amir Hatami said.
"The reconstruction of the black box is supposed to take place first and then the reading."


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Erdogan: Syria talks with Russia unsatisfactory, offensive 'matter of time'

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President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday talks with Russia on the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib were far from meeting Turkey's demands and warned that a military operation there was a "matter of time."Speaking to lawmakers from his ruling AK Party, Erdogan said Turkey was determined to make Idlib a secure zone "no matter the cost," even as talks continue with Russia, which backs President Bashar al-Assad's forces.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Explosion heard in the city of Lod

Explosion heard in the city of Lod

Israeli police received reports of an explosion heard in the city of Lod on Wednesday morning.A man was evacuated from the area to Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center where he was declared dead.Police are investigating the incident.This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Hong Kong records second coronavirus death -hospital spokeswoman

HONG KONG, - Hong Kong recorded its second death caused by the new coronavirus on Wednesday, a Princess Margaret Hospital spokeswoman told Reuters.The 70-year-old man, who had underlying illnesses, was one of the 62 confirmed cases in the Chinese-ruled city.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--US defense agency personal data may have been 'compromised'

WASHINGTON - The US defense agency responsible for secure communications for the US president and other high-level officials said social @ @ @ @ @ data in its network may have been `` compromised , '' in a letter seen @ @ @ @ @ to potential victims .
The Defense Information Systems Agency , which calls itself a combat @ @ @ @ @ of Defense on its web site , employs 8,000 military and civilian employees .
The @ @ @ @ @ and July 2019 , personal data may have been compromised `` in a data breach @ @ @ @ @ , '' the agency .

WASHINGTON - The US defense agency responsible for secure White House communications said Social Security numbers and other personal data in its network may have been compromised, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday that was sent to people possibly affected.
The letter, dated Feb. 11, 2020, says that between May and July 2019, personal data may have been compromised "in a data breach" of a system hosted by the Defense Information Systems Agency.
The agency provides direct telecommunications and IT support for President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, their staff, and the U.S. Secret Service, according to its website.
It also provides direct support to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior members of the armed forces, and its field offices support US military commanders abroad.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The letter gave few further details. For example, it did not say what part of DISA's network had been breached, nor identify which individuals may have had their data compromised.
The term data breach can have many meanings, from hackers penetrating a network to a supposedly secure server being accidentally exposed to the internet.
The agency's letter said it had no evidence any personal data possibly taken was misused, but that it was required to notify individuals who may have had data taken.
Pentagon spokesman Chuck Prichard said individuals possibly affected were being offered "information about actions that can be taken to mitigate possible negative impacts" of the breach, as well as free credit monitoring.
DISA, headquartered at Fort Meade in Maryland, employs about 8,000 military and civilians, according to its website. Prichard did not say how many people could have been affected by the breach, saying only that DISA had investigated the incident "and taken appropriate measures to secure the network."


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--US treasury imposes sanctions on five Iranians website

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on five Iranians in its latest action targeting Tehran , according to a @ @ @ @ @ US Treasury Department 's website .
The Treasury said it sanctioned Ahmad Jannati , Abbas @ @ @ @ @ , Mohammad Hasan Sadeghi Moghadam and Mohammad Yazdi .

WASHINGTON – The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken action against five Iranian officials of the Guardian Council and its Elections Supervision Committee for preventing free and fair elections.
OFAC said the officials were responsible for the disqualification of several thousand candidates by the Guardian Council . According to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), more than half of those who applied to run for parliament were barred by the unelected religious and legal authorities within the Guardian Council.
“Treasury’s action targets Ahmad Jannati, the secretary of the Guardian Council, and Mohammad Yazdi, a member of Iran’s Guardian Council who was formerly Iran’s first Judiciary Chief, and three additional members of its Elections Supervisory Committee,” OFAC said in a statement. “The Supreme Leader uses his appointees to deprive the Iranian people of free and fair elections by blocking candidates that do not mirror his radical views.”
“All property and interests in property of these persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC,” OFAC said. “Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a significant transaction for or on behalf of the persons designated today could be subject to US correspondent or payable-through account sanctions.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin added that the Trump administration “will not tolerate the manipulation of elections to favor the regime’s malign agenda, and this action exposes those senior regime officials responsible for preventing the Iranian people from freely choosing their leaders.”
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow at FDD, said: “These new designations signal Washington’s cognizance of Iran’s manipulation of an electoral process that is popularly acknowledged to be neither free nor fair.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Turkey says Syrian govt air strikes kill two Turkish soldiers near Idlib

ANKARA - Turkey said on Thursday that two Turkish soldiers were killed and another five were wounded in Syrian government @ @ @ @ @ region of Idlib on Thursday , adding that more than 50 Syrian forces had been @ @ @ @ @ attacks come a day after President Tayyip Erdogan warned of an imminent Turkish military offensive @ @ @ @ @ forces , backed by Russia air power , have mounted an offensive to capture the @ @ @ @ @ , 13 Turkish soldiers were killed in Syrian attacks , prompting Erdogan to say that @ @ @ @ @ `` anywhere '' in Syria if another soldier was hurt .
In a statement , @ @ @ @ @ tanks , two armored personnel carriers , two armored trucks and one howitzer were also @ @ @ @ @ after Turkey 's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said the soldiers , who were in Idlib @ @ @ @ @ manage humanitarian aid operations , '' were killed by `` an attack carried out by @ @ @ @ @ . ''

ANKARA - Turkey said on Thursday that two Turkish soldiers were killed and another five were wounded in Syrian government air strikes near the northwestern region of Idlib on Thursday, adding that more than 50 Syrian forces had been killed in retaliation.
The attacks come a day after President Tayyip Erdogan warned of an imminent Turkish military offensive in Idlib, where Syrian forces, backed by Russia air power, have mounted an offensive to capture the region. Earlier this month, 13 Turkish soldiers were killed in Syrian attacks, prompting Erdogan to say that Turkey will strike Syrian forces "anywhere" in Syria if another soldier was hurt.
In a statement, the defense ministry said five tanks, two armored personnel carriers, two armored trucks and one howitzer were also destroyed in retaliation. Shortly after Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said the soldiers, who were in Idlib to "establish peace and manage humanitarian aid operations," were killed by "an attack carried out by the (Syrian) regime."


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Avigdor Liberman: Time to change the weather

In a new elections video released on Thursday Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman calls on Israeli voters to “ change @ @ @ @ @ video , which Liberman claims is sponsored by the `` liberal majority , '' he @ @ @ @ @ of a `` weekly weather forecast , '' with examples such as going to the @ @ @ @ @ and going to work , among others .
The examples go from Sunday-Friday , but @ @ @ @ @ it as “ the only vacation day during the week , ” and showcases different @ @ @ @ @ Israel during Shabbat , such as public transportation .
The video ends by saying that @ @ @ @ @ up with this weather , you know who to vote for !
”

In a new elections video released on Thursday Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman calls on Israeli voters to “change the weather.”
הגיע הזמן לשנות את התחזית pic.twitter.com/IqYbu7pfTV — אביגדור ליברמן (@AvigdorLiberman) February 20, 2020
In the video, which Liberman claims is sponsored by the "liberal majority," he presents various activities as part of a "weekly weather forecast," with examples such as going to the army, paying taxes, and going to work, among others.
The examples go from Sunday-Friday, but when Saturday comes he proclaims it as “the only vacation day during the week,”and showcases different things that are closed in Israel during Shabbat, such as public transportation.
The video ends by saying that voters who “are fed up with this weather, you know who to vote for!”


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Russia accuses Turkey of shelling to help militants fighting Syrian army

MOSCOW - Russia 's defense ministry accused Turkey on Thursday of providing artillery support to militants fighting Syrian government forces @ @ @ @ @ through government defenses in Idlib , Russian news agencies reported .
Russia 's air force @ @ @ @ @ pro-Turkish militants who burst through Syrian government positions in two areas of Idlib province , @ @ @ @ @ repel the attacks , the ministry was cited as saying .
The Russian ministry 's @ @ @ @ @ RIA , Interfax and TASS news agencies .

MOSCOW - Russia's defense ministry accused Turkey on Thursday of providing artillery support to militants fighting Syrian government forces and said militants briefly broke through government defenses in Idlib, Russian news agencies reported.
Russia's air force carried out strikes on the pro-Turkish militants who burst through Syrian government positions in two areas of Idlib province, allowing the Syrian army to repel the attacks, the ministry was cited as saying.
The Russian ministry's comments were reported by the RIA, Interfax and TASS news agencies.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Rabbi Berland to remain in custody

Rabbi Berland to remain in custody

The Jerusalem Magistrate Court extended custody for Rabbi Eliezer Berland for five more days , Channel 12 reported on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ , the Judge on Berland 's case denied the rabbi bail , saying that `` @ @ @ @ @ investigative unit backs the suspicions raised against the defendant , '' saying it `` backs @ @ @ @ @ were premeditated . ''

The Jerusalem Magistrate Court extended custody for Rabbi Eliezer Berland for five more days, Channel 12 reported on Thursday.
According to Channel 12, the Judge on Berland's case denied the rabbi bail, saying that "the evidence gathered by the investigative unit backs the suspicions raised against the defendant," saying it "backs the suspicion that the actions were premeditated."


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--US accuses Russia of cyber attack in Georgia that disrupted websites

WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday blamed Russia for a cyber attack against Georgia in October that Washington said @ @ @ @ @ government and privately-run websites and interrupted the broadcast of at least two major television stations @ @ @ @ @ calls on Russia to cease this behavior in Georgia and elsewhere , '' US Secretary @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Pompeo said the United States would provide assistance to Georgia to @ @ @ @ @ ability to fend off such attacks .

WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday blamed Russia for a cyber attack against Georgia in October that Washington said disrupted operations of the Georgian government and privately-run websites and interrupted the broadcast of at least two major television stations.
"The United States calls on Russia to cease this behavior in Georgia and elsewhere," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
Pompeo said the United States would provide assistance to Georgia to help improve the country's ability to fend off such attacks.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Three more Iranians contract coronavirus - Iran Health Ministry

DUBAI - Three patients have tested positive for the coronavirus in Iran, a health ministry spokesman said on Thursday."Two people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Qom and one person in Arak, bringing the total of confirmed cases to five in Iran," Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a tweet.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Suspected gunman in Germany expressed right-wing views in letter - Bild

A gunman suspected of shooting nine people dead at two shisha bars in a southwestern German city expressed extreme right-wing @ @ @ @ @ confession he left behind , newspaper Bild reported on Thursday .
The man has been @ @ @ @ @ and another body was discovered at the home of the man in Hanau , police @ @ @ @ @ said , without citing its source , that the man left a video claiming responsibility @ @ @ @ @ not immediately be reached for comment .

A gunman suspected of shooting nine people dead at two shisha bars in a southwestern German city expressed extreme right-wing views in a letter of confession he left behind, newspaper Bild reported on Thursday.
The man has been found dead at his home and another body was discovered at the home of the man in Hanau, police said on Thursday.
Bild said, without citing its source, that the man left a video claiming responsibility too.
The police could not immediately be reached for comment.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Israeli security forces arrest senior Hamas official in Tulkarm

Nasif has been arrested by Israel several times in the past .

Nasif has been arrested by Israel several times in the past.
Israeli security forces arrested Rafat Nasif, a top Hamas official, at his Tulkarm home in the West Bank late on Wednesday night.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--4th Israeli contracts coronavirus on Diamond Princess ship

More than 620 of the passengers on the Diamond Princess liner have been infected on the ship , which has been quarantined since Feb. 3 , initially with about 3,700 people on board .
NHK , citing a government source , said the two fatalities were a man and woman in their 80s .
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato on Thursday defended Japan 's response in parliament , telling lawmakers that officials have taken expert advice and responded to issues on a daily basis .
In a move to reassure the public , the Health Ministry also issued a statement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers had been required to stay in their cabins since February 5 to contain the virus .
Public criticism of the government has played out in social media .
Kentaro Iwata , a Japanese infectious disease specialist with Kobe University , removed a widely-viewed video clip that castigated the government response .
`` There is no need for further discussing this , '' he said in a tweet , apologizing to `` those who got involved . ''
He later told a news conference that he took down the video because he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 500 passengers were set to disembark on Thursday while another 100 people were to leave for chartered flights home , a Health Ministry official said .
An initial batch of passengers who had tested negative and showed no symptoms left the vessel on Wednesday .
Those who have shared a room with people testing positive were required to remain in quarantine , as were crew .
The ministry could not confirm how many people remained on board , or when disembarkation would be complete .
More than 150 Australian passengers arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Haneda Airport .
They too face another 14 days of quarantine .
Buses escorted by police cars transported the Australian passengers from Yokohama to the airport late Wednesday .
The buses drove the Australians straight to the tarmac , where they boarded the government-chartered plane .
Some Hong Kong passengers also went home ; Canadians were due to leave on a charter flight in the early hours of Friday , Tokyo time , a Canadian government spokeswoman said .
An evacuation flight was also being arranged for British nationals to leave Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the United States evacuated more than 300 nationals on two chartered flights .
A U.S. State Department official said there were still about 45 U.S. citizens on board the cruise ship as of Thursday .
Americans flown back will have to complete another 14-day quarantine period , as will returning Hong Kong residents .
Disembarked Japanese passengers , however , face no such restrictions , a decision that has sparked concern .
Japan 's chief cabinet secretary , Yoshihide Suga , when asked on Wednesday why Japanese nationals leaving the ship did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in quarantine , referred to the advice of Japan 's National Institute of Infectious Diseases ( NIID ) .
The NIID said there should be no problem if people had shown no symptoms for 14 days and had tested negative for the virus during the period their health was under surveillance .
Besides those on the cruise liner and returnees brought home from Wuhan , China , about 70 cases of domestic infections have been confirmed in Japan , including 25 in Tokyo , public broadcaster NHK reported .

A fourth Israeli contracted the coronavirus on the afflicted cruise ship Diamond Princess on Thursday, according to the Ministry of Health.
The infected Israeli is expected to be taken off the ship to a Japanese hospital for further treatment.Two of the passengers aboard the ship died earlier on Thursday, public broadcaster NHK said, as a second group of passengers began disembarking after two weeks of being quarantined onboard.
More than 620 of the passengers on the Diamond Princess liner have been infected on the ship, which has been quarantined since Feb. 3, initially with about 3,700 people on board.
NHK, citing a government source, said the two fatalities were a man and woman in their 80s.
The rapid spread of the disease – Japan has well over half of the known cases outside China – has sparked criticism of authorities just months before Tokyo is due to host the Summer Olympics.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato on Thursday defended Japan's response in parliament, telling lawmakers that officials have taken expert advice and responded to issues on a daily basis.
In a move to reassure the public, the Health Ministry also issued a statement in both English and Japanese that said all passengers had been required to stay in their cabins since February 5 to contain the virus.
Public criticism of the government has played out in social media.
Kentaro Iwata, a Japanese infectious disease specialist with Kobe University, removed a widely-viewed video clip that castigated the government response.
"There is no need for further discussing this," he said in a tweet, apologizing to "those who got involved."
He later told a news conference that he took down the video because he was informed conditions on the ship had improved.
About 500 passengers were set to disembark on Thursday while another 100 people were to leave for chartered flights home, a Health Ministry official said.
An initial batch of passengers who had tested negative and showed no symptoms left the vessel on Wednesday.
Those who have shared a room with people testing positive were required to remain in quarantine, as were crew. The ministry could not confirm how many people remained on board, or when disembarkation would be complete.
More than 150 Australian passengers arrived home after a pre-dawn departure from Tokyo's Haneda Airport. They too face another 14 days of quarantine.
Buses escorted by police cars transported the Australian passengers from Yokohama to the airport late Wednesday. The buses drove the Australians straight to the tarmac, where they boarded the government-chartered plane.
Some Hong Kong passengers also went home; Canadians were due to leave on a charter flight in the early hours of Friday, Tokyo time, a Canadian government spokeswoman said. An evacuation flight was also being arranged for British nationals to leave Tokyo on Friday.
Earlier in the week, the United States evacuated more than 300 nationals on two chartered flights.
A U.S. State Department official said there were still about 45 U.S. citizens on board the cruise ship as of Thursday.
Americans flown back will have to complete another 14-day quarantine period, as will returning Hong Kong residents.
Disembarked Japanese passengers, however, face no such restrictions, a decision that has sparked concern.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, when asked on Wednesday why Japanese nationals leaving the ship did not have to spend another two weeks in quarantine, referred to the advice of Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID).
The NIID said there should be no problem if people had shown no symptoms for 14 days and had tested negative for the virus during the period their health was under surveillance.
Besides those on the cruise liner and returnees brought home from Wuhan, China, about 70 cases of domestic infections have been confirmed in Japan, including 25 in Tokyo, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The spread of the virus has raised concerns about planning for the Tokyo Summer Olympics as well as the impact on Japan's economy.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Coronavirus cases in China reported to be lowest since Jan 23

BEIJING - Mainland China had 394 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Wednesday , the National Health Commission said @ @ @ @ @ 1,749 cases a day earlier and the lowest since Jan. 23 .
That brings the @ @ @ @ @ cases in mainland China so far to 74,576 .
The death toll from the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ 2,118 as of the end of Wednesday , up by 114 from the previous day @

BEIJING - Mainland China had 394 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Wednesday, the National Health Commission said on Thursday, down from 1,749 cases a day earlier and the lowest since Jan. 23.
That brings the total accumulated number of confirmed cases in mainland China so far to 74,576.
The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 2,118 as of the end of Wednesday, up by 114 from the previous day.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Two Iranians die after testing positive for coronavirus - Mehr news agency

DUBAI - Two Iranians have died in hospital after testing positive for the new coronavirus in the holy Shi'ite city @ @ @ @ @ of the city 's University of Medical Sciences told Mehr news agency on Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ tested positive earlier today for new coronavirus , died of respiratory illness , '' the @ @ @ @

DUBAI - Two Iranians have died in hospital after testing positive for the new coronavirus in the holy Shi'ite city of Qom, the head of the city's University of Medical Sciences told Mehr news agency on Wednesday.
"Two Iranians, who tested positive earlier today for new coronavirus, died of respiratory illness," the official told Mehr.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Canada to evacuate citizens from virus-hit cruise ship Thursday

OTTAWA - The Canadian government will begin evacuating its citizens from a virus-hit cruise ship quarantined off Yokohama , Japan , on Thursday evening , Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Wednesday .
`` The aircraft the government has chartered is currently in Tokyo .
We will begin pre-flight screening and disembarkation tomorrow evening local time , '' Champagne told reporters in Ottawa .
People with symptoms of the coronavirus will not be allowed to leave , and those who have tested positive will be treated in Japan , he added .
There are 251 Canadians on board the Diamond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On arrival in Canada the evacuees will be transported to an aviation training base in Ontario for a 14-day quarantine period .
Initially with 3,700 passengers and crew , the Diamond Princess cruise liner has been in quarantine since early this month .
On Wednesday , even as some passengers rolled their luggage off the ship , Japanese authorities announced 79 new cases had been discovered on board , bringing the total above 620 , well over half of the known cases outside mainland China .
Canada has already evacuated almost 400 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

OTTAWA - The Canadian government will begin evacuating its citizens from a virus-hit cruise ship quarantined off Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday evening, Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on Wednesday.
"The aircraft the government has chartered is currently in Tokyo. We will begin pre-flight screening and disembarkation tomorrow evening local time," Champagne told reporters in Ottawa.
People with symptoms of the coronavirus will not be allowed to leave, and those who have tested positive will be treated in Japan, he added. There are 251 Canadians on board the Diamond Princess and 47 have tested positive.
On arrival in Canada the evacuees will be transported to an aviation training base in Ontario for a 14-day quarantine period.
Initially with 3,700 passengers and crew, the Diamond Princess cruise liner has been in quarantine since early this month.
On Wednesday, even as some passengers rolled their luggage off the ship, Japanese authorities announced 79 new cases had been discovered on board, bringing the total above 620, well over half of the known cases outside mainland China.
Canada has already evacuated almost 400 people from the coronavirus-stricken Chinese city of Wuhan.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Tunisia's designated PM proposes new government

TUNIS - Tunisia’s designated Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh named a new coalition government after he reached an agreement with Ennahda moderate Islamist Party, the biggest power in Parliament, ending an ongoing political crisis of four months.With this agreement, the proposed government will likely win a confidence vote in Parliament in coming days and the country will avoid an early election.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Netanyahu: Arabic-speaking doctors took care of my parents, Sara’s parents

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his audience in the Druze town of Julis that Arab-Israelis deserve the same future as any other Israeli.Arab-speaking doctors helped taking care of his parents, Netanyahu said during the Wednesday meeting, as well as his wife, Sarah's, parents.“Tell everyone what the non-Jewish sector got from the Joint List,” he said before switching to some Arabic expressions, “kalam fadi" ("empty words").


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Syrian air defense thwarts 'hostile' targets in Jableh

Syria said its air defense systems on Wednesday thwarted hostile targets in Jableh town in Latakia, according to state TV.The nature of the targets was not clear and there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Netanyahu in Druze village: We did a lot for the Druze, we will do more

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his speech in the Druze village of Julis, in northern Israel, by naming the various communities which compose Israel’s society.“We have increased the funding to non-Jewish communities 14 fold,” he said, “we spent more than all other Israeli governments combined.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Rivlin lands in Fiji ahead of Pacific Islands meeting in Nadi

President Reuven Rivlin landed in Fiji on Thursday and was welcomed as a guest of honor by Fiji's president ahead of his meeting with Pacific Island leaders, his office said in a statement.“I have come here from Jerusalem. I am a Jerusalemite, the son of a Jerusalemite. My family has lived in Jerusalem for seven generations," Rivlin, wearing traditional shades of blue, said at the dinner hosted by Fijian President Jioji Konrote, which was also attended by other Pacific Island leaders who would participate in the meeting later."Jerusalem is, was and always will be the eternal capital of Israel and the Jewish people! We would also deeply appreciate your formal recognition of Jerusalem as our capital, as did the Republic of Nauru. And while I come from the Holy City, here in the Pacific I have found the Garden of Eden, just as I did in my trip to Tonga years ago as the speaker of the Knesset.“These visits have left a deep impression on me. It is an impression which I will take with me as I continue on to Australia, and, of course, back to Israel.”Rivlin thanked Konrote for the hospitality and praised the importance of partnerships.“Our strong friendship extends to the international arena as well. We deeply appreciate your support at the UN and hope that it will continue to grow," he said. "In the face of gross bias against Israel at the UN, it is not enough simply to abstain. The unfair political discrimination against Israel must be actively opposed.”He added that he hoped to meet with these leaders again in Jerusalem some day.Following the dinner, Rivlin held meetings with several Pacific Island leaders, including Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea, Deputy Prime Minister Sione Vuna Fa'otusia of Tonga, Prime Minister Minute Alapati Taupo of Tuvalu, Foreign Minister Andrew Napuat of the Solomon Islands and Interior Minister Jeremiah Manele of Vanuatu.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Netanyahu: Gantz won't debate because he's a leftist

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, to debate him for the second night in a row on Wednesday night.Speaking at a Likud rally in Acre, Netanyahu said Gantz did not want to debate him because he wanted to hide from the public that "he is a leftist.""He cannot handle the pressure of a televised debate, so how can he handle the greater pressure that there is in being prime minister of Israel?" Netanyahu asked. "Benny Gantz is scared to come. Israel needs a real leader. Benny Gantz is afraid to come to a debate, because people will see he is not a leader. He quotes what his PR people tell him to say. He has nothing to offer."


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Harry and Meghan to make final appearances as senior British royals

LONDON - Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will carry out their final public engagements as senior working members of Britain's royal family in late February and March before their status changes on March 31, ITV's royal editor reported on Wednesday.Citing Buckingham Palace, Chris Ship said Harry and Meghan, who abruptly announced their intention in January to step down from their duties as senior royals, would no longer have an office at Buckingham Palace after April 1.A palace spokeswoman had no immediate comment.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Two Iranians die of coronavirus in Qom, Iran

Two Iranians have died in hospital after testing positive for the new coronavirus in the holy Shi'ite city of Qom, the head of the city's University of Medical Sciences told Mehr news agency on Wednesday."Two Iranians, who tested positive earlier today for new coronavirus, died of respiratory illness," the official told Mehr.Qom is located 140 km (87 miles) south of Tehran, and is home to over a million people.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--IDF stops man attempting to cross from Lebanon to Israel

A man who attempted to cross into Israel from Lebanon on Wednesday was caught by IDF troops. After a field investigation he was returned to Lebanon, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit reported.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Nitzan Horowitz challenges Miri Regev, Rafi Peretz to debate

Meretz leader MK Nitzan Horowitz challenged Culture Minister Miri Regev and Education Minister Rabbi Rafi Peretz on Wednesday to a debate on television.All three were present at a conference devoted to local government when he addressed them directly and told Regev, “I am going to replace you and Rafi. To me, all Israelis are equal.”Horowitz called on Blue and White leader Benny Gantz not to “internalize the incitement used by Likud against the Arabs [in Israel].” He added that “this country has no future without Jewish-Arab cooperation.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Benny Gantz: Netanyahu wants to enslave the nation and avoid justice

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said in a statement on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , `` is @ @ @ @ @ avoid justice .
`` He added that Netanyahu “ wants one thing , to form @ @ @ @ @ him to pass the French Law , '' referencing the French model of rule in @ @ @ @ @ not be put on trial while he or she is in office .
This immunity @ @ @ @ @ longer in office .
Gantz also said that anyone who wants to join his coalition @ @ @ @ @ pledge not to approve of such laws .

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said in a statement on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, " is enslaving an entire country to avoid justice."
He added that Netanyahu “wants one thing, to form a coalition that will permit him to pass the French Law," referencing the French model of rule in which heads of states cannot be put on trial while he or she is in office. This immunity expires when they are no longer in office.
Gantz also said that anyone who wants to join his coalition will have to sign a pledge not to approve of such laws.


jerusalempost--2020-02-19--Gantz responds to Netanyahu debate challenge: I don’t work for him

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz declined to debate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on live television saying on Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ work for him.
” Gantz said that the offer of a debate that Netanyahu made @ @ @ @ @ political spin '' and added `` I won ’ t be a part of it.
@ @ @ @ @ that Gantz is running scared .
“ Gantz is afraid of confrontation and he knows @ @ @ @ @ , “ Israel needs a strong leader , not a coward .
”

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz declined to debate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on live television saying on Wednesday, “I don’t work for him.”
Gantz said that the offer of a debate that Netanyahu made on Tuesday evening was"political spin" and added "I won’t be a part of it.”
Netanyahu responded by saying that Gantz is running scared.
“Gantz is afraid of confrontation and he knows why,” Netanyahu said, “Israel needs a strong leader, not a coward.”


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--25-year-old man killed in car accident on Highway 431

An accident along Highway 431 resulted in the death of one man, 25, while three others sustained moderate injuries when the vehicle caught fire. Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics provided medical treatment and performed CPR, later pronouncing the 25-year-old man dead at the scene."This is a serious accident, which resulted in the vehicle catching on fire," reported Avi Marcus, chief paramedic of the rescue union.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Iraq bans border crossings by Iranians amid coronavirus fears

Iraq banned border crossings by Iranian nationals for three days from Thursday amid fears of the coronavirus, Iraq's state news agency said on Thursday.The decision came after Iraqi Airways suspended flights to Iran.Two Iranians who tested positive on Wednesday for the disease have died, while three tested positive on Thursday, taking the total number of confirmed cases in Iran to five, the Iranian health ministry said.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Ramming attack suspected near Beit El – report

A ramming attack was reported in near Beit El in the West Bank, news portal Serugim reported. A Palestinian driver allegedly attempted to run over IDF soldiers and was shot, no casualties were reported among the soldiers.The IDF is investigating the incident.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Blue and White leader: Litzman failed

Blue and White leader: Litzman failed

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said Health Minister Ya'akov Litzman “ failed in his job ” and that his @ @ @ @ @ of health after the upcoming March election .
Gantz was speaking on Thursday during a @ @ @ @ @ Netanya .
UTJ MK Moshe Gafni slammed Gantz , saying that as soon as “ @ @ @ @ @ and his party begin to come up ” he uses haredi Jews as his scapegoat @ @ @ @ @ “ is the best minister of health ” Israel has ever had .

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz said Health Minister Ya'akov Litzman “failed in his job” and that his party will demand the ministry of health after the upcoming March election. Gantz was speaking on Thursday during a rally in the city of Netanya.
UTJ MK Moshe Gafni slammed Gantz, saying that as soon as “corruption cases connected to him and his party begin to come up” he uses haredi Jews as his scapegoat.
Gafni said that Litzman “is the best minister of health” Israel has ever had.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Democratic presidential debate snags record 20 million viewers -NBC

WASHINGTON - The Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday night averaged a record 20 million viewers on NBC and MSNBC , @ @ @ @ @ viewers streaming online , the networks announced on Thursday .
Wednesday 's debate - the @ @ @ @ @ cycle and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg 's on-stage debut - was also @ @ @ @ @ in the coveted 25- to 54-year-old slot , according to NBC News and MSNBC .

WASHINGTON - The Democratic presidential debate on Wednesday night averaged a record 20 million viewers on NBC and MSNBC, along with another 13.5 million viewers streaming online, the networks announced on Thursday.
Wednesday's debate - the ninth of the 2020 election cycle and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's on-stage debut - was also the top-rated Democratic debate ever in the coveted 25- to 54-year-old slot, according to NBC News and MSNBC.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Likud: Same rules for all, investigate Fifth Dimension now

The Likud party demanded the State Prosecutor begin an official criminal investigation concerning the Fifth Dimension , a defunct company @ @ @ @ @ and White leader Benny Gantz .
Likud argued that , in the past , the @ @ @ @ @ against those seeking to serve as prime ministers and other public offices should begin “ @ @ @ @ @ elections.
” “ It is not to be believed that an alternative policy should be @ @ @ @ @ and the Fifth Dimension is concerned , ” the request stated .
The company also @ @ @ @ @ when in fact it only had one , the police said .
Fifth Dimension was @ @ @ @ @ 2014 and offered various applications , civic and military , for AI .
Gantz served @ @ @ @ @ the board of directors from 2015 .
The company won a 50 million NIS contract @ @ @ @ @ despite not having a product.The company also claimed it had five clients when in fact @ @ @ @ @ the police said .

The Likud party demanded the State Prosecutor begin an official criminal investigation concerning the Fifth Dimension, a defunct company once led by current Blue and White leader Benny Gantz.
Likud argued that, in the past, the State Prosecutor claimed legal procedures against those seeking to serve as prime ministers and other public offices should begin “right away, even before elections.”
“It is not to be believed that an alternative policy should be taken only where Benny Gantz and the Fifth Dimension is concerned,” the request stated.


jerusalempost--2020-02-20--Rivlin on Leifer case: Israel does not offer criminals shelter

Ahead of President Reuven Rivlin 's trip to Australia , his first official visit to that country while in office @ @ @ @ @ letter to Israel ’ s ambassador to Australia Mark Sofer meant to address all issues @ @ @ @ @ Australian citizen Malka Leifer is accused in her native country of sexually assaulting minors under @ @ @ @ @ to Israel and is suspected of having feigned mental issues to avoid being extradited to @ @ @ @ @ letter states the legal proceedings concerning Leifer ’ s deportation are “ proceeding as planned @ @ @ @ @ State of Israel does not allow those who have committed a crime to use the @ @ @ @ @ a barrier to facing justice .
”

Ahead of President Reuven Rivlin's trip to Australia, his first official visit to that country while in office, his office delivered a letter to Israel’s ambassador to Australia Mark Sofer meant to address all issues concerning the Leifer case.
Australian citizen Malka Leifer is accused in her native country of sexually assaulting minors under her care. She fled to Israel and is suspected of having feigned mental issues to avoid being extradited to face criminal charges.
The letter states the legal proceedings concerning Leifer’s deportation are “proceeding as planned” and that “the State of Israel does not allow those who have committed a crime to use the state and its institutions as a barrier to facing justice.”