jerusalempost--2020-07-13--Russia charges ex-journalist Ivan Safronov with treason - TASS

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Russian law enforcement charged prominent former journalist Ivan Safronov with treason on Monday, TASS news agency cited his lawyer as saying, accusations that have sent a chill through Russia's media landscape.The former newspaper reporter who had worked at Russia's space agency since May faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty after he was arrested last week and accused of passing military secrets to the Czech Republic, a charge he denies.


jerusalempost--2020-07-13--Over 20,000 active coronavirus cases in Israel, 160 in serious condition

The new numbers mark a rise of 1,201 since about 7 p.m. Sunday .
No new deaths were reported overnight @

The new numbers mark a rise of 1,201 since about 7 p.m. Sunday. No new deaths were reported overnight.
Some 20,251 active cases of the coronavirus were reported in Israel as of Monday afternoon, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 39,871. 160 of the active cases are in serious condition and 51 people are on ventilators.


jerusalempost--2020-07-13--Jerusalem magistrate court employee tests positive for coronavirus

A Jerusalem magistrate court employee tested positive for coronavirus , the judicial establishment 's spokesperson said in a statement Monday @ @ @ @ @ investigation concluded the woman came in contact with a confirmed carrier of the virus outside @ @ @ @ @ 14 court employees who were in contact with the woman were quarantined .
According to @ @ @ @ @ continues working as usual .

A Jerusalem magistrate court employee tested positive for coronavirus, the judicial establishment's spokesperson said in a statement Monday afternoon.
A Health Ministry investigation concluded the woman came in contact with a confirmed carrier of the virus outside of the court. Some 14 court employees who were in contact with the woman were quarantined.


jerusalempost--2020-07-13--Hong Kong activist Nathan Law says arrived in London

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law said he had arrived in London after fleeing the former British colony where China has imposed a security law."With my backpack and small luggage in hand, I boarded my night flight. I had no idea what future awaited me. Only one thing seemed certain. My destination: London," Law said on Twitter."There's always one message I have: Hong Kongers will never give up. We aren't fractured. On the contrary, we're well-equipped to face the next difficult battle."Law told Reuters earlier this month that the rest of the world should stand up to President Xi Jinping and start to put human rights above financial gain.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--UK to purge Huawei from 5G by 2027, angering China and pleasing Trump

The seven-year lag will please telecoms operators such as BT , Vodafone and Three which feared they would be forced to spend billions of pounds to rip out Huawei equipment much faster .
But it will delay the roll out of 5G .
The United States has pushed Johnson to reverse his January decision to grant Huawei a limited role in 5G , while London has been dismayed by a crackdown in Hong Kong and the perception China did not tell the whole truth over the coronavirus .
Britain 's National Security Council ( NSC ) , chaired by Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase 5G components from the end of this year and to order the removal of all existing Huawei gear from the 5G network by 2027 .
The cyber arm of Britain 's GCHQ eavesdropping agency , the National Cyber Security Centre , told ministers it could no longer guarantee the stable supply of Huawei gear after the United States imposed new sanctions on chip technology .
Telecoms companies will also be told to stop using Huawei in fixed-line fiber broadband within the next two years .
Digital , Culture , Media and Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliament .

Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from Britain's 5G network by 2027, risking the ire of China by signaling that the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker is no longer welcome in the West.
The seven-year lag will please telecoms operators such as BT , Vodafone and Three which feared they would be forced to spend billions of pounds to rip out Huawei equipment much faster. But it will delay the roll out of 5G.
The United States has pushed Johnson to reverse his January decision to grant Huawei a limited role in 5G, while London has been dismayed by a crackdown in Hong Kong and the perception China did not tell the whole truth over the coronavirus.
Britain's National Security Council (NSC), chaired by Johnson, decided on Tuesday to ban the purchase 5G components from the end of this year and to order the removal of all existing Huawei gear from the 5G network by 2027.
The cyber arm of Britain's GCHQ eavesdropping agency, the National Cyber Security Centre, told ministers it could no longer guarantee the stable supply of Huawei gear after the United States imposed new sanctions on chip technology.
Telecoms companies will also be told to stop using Huawei in fixed-line fiber broadband within the next two years. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden announced the decision in parliament.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Michael Biton enters quarantine

Michael Biton enters quarantine

Biton will stay in quarantine until July 23 .

Biton will stay in quarantine until July 23.
Minister for Civic Issues within the Defense Ministry Michael Biton announced that he was entering quarantine after he came into contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--4 times as many IDF soldiers infected daily with coronavirus than 1st wave

About 70 cases have been confirmed every day among soldiers in the past few days .
About 560 soldiers have @ @ @ @ @

About 70 cases have been confirmed every day among soldiers in the past few days. About 560 soldiers have been infected so far.
Four times as many IDF soldiers are being confirmed as infected with the coronavirus daily than in the first wave of the virus, according to the IDF's Medical Corps.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Chairman of University Heads committee quits, calls Elkin 'commissar'

The chairman of the Committee of University Heads, Ron Rubin, quit on Tuesday and attacked Higher Education Minister Ze'ev Elkin, calling him the "Commissar of Higher Education," according to KAN news.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Rafi Peretz separates from Yemina party

Rafi Peretz separates from Yemina party

`` Minister Peretz received compensation and should therefore be discussed as a retiree from Yemina and as someone who acted @ @ @ @ @ his faction and the will of his voters , '' said a representative for the @ @ @ @ @ the committee meeting .
`` It belongs to the same known phenomenon of 'Kalantarism ' @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Kalantarism '' is a term referring to moves similar to that of Rahamim @ @ @ @ @ defected from one faction to another within the Jerusalem municipality in exchange for payment , @ @ @ @ @ Quality Government .

"Minister Peretz received compensation and should therefore be discussed as a retiree from Yemina and as someone who acted contrary to the position of his faction and the will of his voters," said a representative for the Movement for Quality Government at the committee meeting. "It belongs to the same known phenomenon of 'Kalantarism' following that stinking exercise."
"Kalantarism" is a term referring to moves similar to that of Rahamim Kalantar, who in 1956 defected from one faction to another within the Jerusalem municipality in exchange for payment, according to the Movement for Quality Government.
The Knesset Commitee approved a request by Jerusalem Affairs Minister Rafi Peretz to separate his Bayit Yehudi party from the Yemina bloc on Tuesday, despite opposition from the Movement for Quality Government.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Philippines confirms six new coronavirus deaths, 634 cases

The Philippines' health ministry on Tuesday reported six new coronavirus deaths and 634 additional infections, the lowest daily increase in cases in nearly two weeks.In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had increased to 1,603, while confirmed cases had reached 57,545.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Hong Kong reports 48 new coronavirus cases

Tuesday 's toll was slightly lower that Monday 's 52 new cases but remained broadly in line with a recent @ @ @ @ @ .

Hong Kong reported 48 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, including 40 that officials said were transmitted locally, ahead of new social distancing measures due to come into force at midnight.
Tuesday's toll was slightly lower that Monday's 52 new cases but remained broadly in line with a recent sharp increase in the city.
Since late January, the global financial hub has reported more than 1,500 cases and eight deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--UK COVID-19 death toll nears 56,000 including suspected cases

The Reuters tally comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England , Wales and Northern Ireland up @ @ @ @ @ up to July 5 .
It also includes more recent hospital deaths .

The United Kingdom's COVID-19 death toll has hit 55,873, including suspected cases, according to a Reuters tally of official data sources that underline the country's status as one of the worst hit in the world.
The Reuters tally comprises fatalities where COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to July 3, and up to July 5. It also includes more recent hospital deaths.
The government's daily toll, which only records deaths following positive coronavirus tests, stands at 44,830.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Russia confirms more than 6,200 new coronavirus cases

Russia on Tuesday reported 6,248 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its confirmed national tally to 739,947, the fourth largest in the world.Officials said 175 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 11,614.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--12-day-old Palestinian infant dies due to coronavirus

Hebron is the epicenter of the virus in the West Bank .
6,494 cases of the virus have been recorded @ @ @ @ @ with 404 new cases on Monday .
72 cases have been confirmed in the Gaza @ @ @ @ @ , a 51-year-old man and a 90-year-old man from Hebron and a 75-year-old man from @ @ @ @ @ West Bank died due to the coronavirus .

Hebron is the epicenter of the virus in the West Bank. 6,494 cases of the virus have been recorded in the West Bank, with 404 new cases on Monday. 72 cases have been confirmed in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday night, a 51-year-old man and a 90-year-old man from Hebron and a 75-year-old man from Bani Naim in the south West Bank died due to the coronavirus.
A 12-day-old infant from the Palestinian town of Yatta near Hebron died due to the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 41 in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian WAFA news agency.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Likud MK Keti Shitrit enters quarantine

Likud MK Keti Shitrit enters quarantine

Shitrit is feeling well and will undergo a coronavirus test in the coming days .

Shitrit is feeling well and will undergo a coronavirus test in the coming days.
Likud MK Keti Shitrit entered quarantine on Tuesday after coming into contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient at the Knesset Committee on Education.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Australia tightens restrictions amid fresh COVID-19 outbreaks

SYDNEY - Australian states on Tuesday tightened restrictions on movement as authorities struggle to contain a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in the country 's southeast that is starting to spill into other areas .
With growing fears of a second coronavirus wave nationally , two states extended border restrictions and Australia 's most populous state imposed limits on the number of people allowed in large pubs .
The changes come as scores of new cases were uncovered in Victoria , the country 's COVID-19 hotspot , despite a return to lockdown last week for nearly 5 million people in state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state rose to nearly 2,000 after another 270 infections were detected in the past 24 hours , authorities said , taking Australia 's total number of cases to about 10,000 , with 107 deaths .
`` We have n't turned the corner yet .
I hope to see that this week , but there are no guarantees , '' Brett Sutton , Victoria 's Chief Medical Officer told reporters in Melbourne .
Australia avoided the high COVID-19 casualty numbers of other nations with swift and strict measures , but a spike in community-transmitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases in New South Wales has worried other states .
South Australia cancelled plans to reopen its border to New South Wales on July 20 , while Queensland introduced a mandatory two-week quarantine for people who have visited two areas in Sydney 's western suburbs .
`` Our primary responsibility in South Australia is to the health , safety and welfare of all South Australians , '' Premier Steven Marshall told reporters in Adelaide .
New South Wales , which has seen several dozen cases linked to the outbreak in Victoria , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no more than 300 people , responding to an outbreak centred at a large hotel in southwestern Sydney .
Authorities believe 600 people visited the Crossroads Hotel on July 3 , when the outbreak is believed to have begun .
`` Indoor activity , where people are n't seated is a huge health risk .
It increases the chance of transmission , '' state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters .

SYDNEY - Australian states on Tuesday tightened restrictions on movement as authorities struggle to contain a fresh outbreak of COVID-19 in the country's southeast that is starting to spill into other areas.
With growing fears of a second coronavirus wave nationally, two states extended border restrictions and Australia's most populous state imposed limits on the number of people allowed in large pubs.
The changes come as scores of new cases were uncovered in Victoria, the country's COVID-19 hotspot, despite a return to lockdown last week for nearly 5 million people in state capital Melbourne.
Active cases in the state rose to nearly 2,000 after another 270 infections were detected in the past 24 hours, authorities said, taking Australia's total number of cases to about 10,000, with 107 deaths.
"We haven't turned the corner yet. I hope to see that this week, but there are no guarantees," Brett Sutton, Victoria's Chief Medical Officer told reporters in Melbourne.
Australia avoided the high COVID-19 casualty numbers of other nations with swift and strict measures, but a spike in community-transmitted cases in Victoria and a rise in new cases in New South Wales has worried other states.
South Australia cancelled plans to reopen its border to New South Wales on July 20, while Queensland introduced a mandatory two-week quarantine for people who have visited two areas in Sydney's western suburbs.
"Our primary responsibility in South Australia is to the health, safety and welfare of all South Australians," Premier Steven Marshall told reporters in Adelaide.
New South Wales, which has seen several dozen cases linked to the outbreak in Victoria, said pubs will now be limited to no more than 300 people, responding to an outbreak centred at a large hotel in southwestern Sydney.
Authorities believe 600 people visited the Crossroads Hotel on July 3, when the outbreak is believed to have begun.
"Indoor activity, where people aren't seated is a huge health risk. It increases the chance of transmission," state Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Mexico registers 304,435 total cases of coronavirus, 35,491 deaths

MEXICO CITY - Mexico 's Health Ministry on Monday reported 4,685 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 485 additional fatalities , @ @ @ @ @ to 304,435 cases and 35,491 deaths .
The government has said the real number of @ @ @ @ @ higher than the confirmed cases .

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's Health Ministry on Monday reported 4,685 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 485 additional fatalities, bringing the country's totals to 304,435 cases and 35,491 deaths.
The government has said the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--China to sanction Lockheed Martin over Taiwan arms sale

China will sanction Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest US arms sale to Chinese-claimed Taiwan , Beijing said on Tuesday , adding tension to its troubled relationship with the United States .
The US weapons maker is the main contractor for a $ 620 million upgrade package for Taiwan 's Patriot surface-to-air missiles , which the US government approved last week .
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on the United States to stop selling weapons to Taiwan to `` avoid further harming Sino-U.S. ties and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait . ''
`` To safeguard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to take necessary steps , and put sanctions on the main contractor for this sale , Lockheed Martin , '' Zhao told reporters , without giving details .
Lockheed Martin said in a statement : `` Foreign Military Sales are government-to-government transactions and we work closely with the US government on any military sales to international customers .
Discussions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the U.S .
government . ''
The United States , like most countries , has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan , but Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ island with the means to defend itself .
China has announced similar sanctions before on US companies for Taiwan arms sales , though it is unclear what form they have taken .
The government in Taiwan has welcomed the missile upgrade .
It is bolstering its defenses for what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing , such as its regular air force and naval exercises near Taiwan .
Taiwan Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa , visiting troops during the annual Han Kuang military exercise on Tuesday , said they needed to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorts of threats and provocations '' from China .
`` This tells our people and the Communists that we have the confidence and ability to protect our people and homeland , '' his ministry cited him as saying .

China will sanction Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest US arms sale to Chinese-claimed Taiwan, Beijing said on Tuesday, adding tension to its troubled relationship with the United States.
The US weapons maker is the main contractor for a $620 million upgrade package for Taiwan's Patriot surface-to-air missiles, which the US government approved last week.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on the United States to stop selling weapons to Taiwan to "avoid further harming Sino-U.S. ties and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
"To safeguard the country's interests, China has decided to take necessary steps, and put sanctions on the main contractor for this sale, Lockheed Martin," Zhao told reporters, without giving details.
Lockheed Martin said in a statement: "Foreign Military Sales are government-to-government transactions and we work closely with the US government on any military sales to international customers. Discussions about sales to foreign governments are best addressed by the U.S. government."
The United States, like most countries, has no official diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but Washington is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself.
China has announced similar sanctions before on US companies for Taiwan arms sales, though it is unclear what form they have taken.
The government in Taiwan has welcomed the missile upgrade. It is bolstering its defenses for what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as its regular air force and naval exercises near Taiwan.
Taiwan Defence Minister Yen Teh-fa, visiting troops during the annual Han Kuang military exercise on Tuesday, said they needed to be strong in the face of "all sorts of threats and provocations" from China.
"This tells our people and the Communists that we have the confidence and ability to protect our people and homeland," his ministry cited him as saying.
While Taiwan's military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has huge numerical superiority and is adding advanced equipment of its own such as stealth fighters and new ballistic missiles.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Tunisia's Islamist party Ennahda to withdraw confidence from gov't

Ennahdha ’ s move would deepen the political crisis in the country amid a dispute with Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfkah @ @ @ @ @ lost credibility due to an alleged conflict of interest .

Ennahdha’s move would deepen the political crisis in the country amid a dispute with Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfkah, whom Ennahdha says has lost credibility due to an alleged conflict of interest.
Tunisia's Islamist party Ennahda, the biggest party in the country's parliament, decided on early Wednesday to withdraw confidence from the government, a senior official in Ennahda told Reuters.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--WhatsApp suffers drop in service

WhatsApp suffers drop in service

WhatsApp , the popular text messaging and voice call application , crashed late Tuesday in multiple locations around the world @ @ @ @ @ to numerous Twitter users .

WhatsApp, the popular text messaging and voice call application, crashed late Tuesday in multiple locations around the world, including Israel, according to numerous Twitter users.
This is a developing story.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Kochavi: West Bank quietest it's been in a decade, can destabilize

During a ceremony inaugurating the new commander of the IDF Central Command on Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi said that conditions in the West Bank have the potential to destabilize.Kochavi emphasized that "we are in the midst of one of the quietest periods that we've had in Judea and Samaria in the past decade, and that can it be credited to the systematic and determined operation of the Central Command." He added that "we're in a period that also has the potential to challenge regional stability."


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--US House Republican Morgan Griffith tests positive for coronavirus

Griffith , 62 , has been in self-imposed isolation since being tested .
`` Although he does not currently have @ @ @ @ @ continue to self-isolate as he performs his duties '' on behalf of his Virginia district @ @ @ @ @ A member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee , Griffith has participated in hearings @ @ @ @ @ Hill , including an outdoor news conference last week to push for reopening US schools @ @ @ @ @ last month called on committee chairmen to require members to wear masks during proceedings , @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers defied public health recommendations .
Coronavirus cases have recently increased in areas of Virginia @ @ @ @ @ Griffith represents the state 's 9th Congressional District in the southwest , along the state @ @ @ @ @ , Kentucky , Tennessee and North Carolina .

Republican US Representative Morgan Griffith has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office said on Tuesday, making him at least the 10th member of Congress with a COVID-19 infection either confirmed or presumed by doctors.
Griffith, 62, has been in self-imposed isolation since being tested.
"Although he does not currently have significant symptoms, he will continue to self-isolate as he performs his duties" on behalf of his Virginia district, the statement said.
A member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Griffith has participated in hearings and news conferences on Capitol Hill, including an outdoor news conference last week to push for reopening US schools.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last month called on committee chairmen to require members to wear masks during proceedings, after a number of Republican lawmakers defied public health recommendations.
Coronavirus cases have recently increased in areas of Virginia outside the Washington suburbs. Griffith represents the state's 9th Congressional District in the southwest, along the state's borders with West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.
At least nine other House and Senate members have tested positive for the coronavirus, been presumed by physicians to have the virus or have been shown to possess antibodies to the pathogen.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Erdogan, Trump agree to work more closely in Libya to ensure stability

Turkey supports the internationally recognized Government of National Accord in Libya , which is fighting against the eastern-based Libyan National @ @ @ @ @ United Arab Emirates , Egypt and Russia .
Ankara has previously said the United States @ @ @ @ @ active role in Libya .

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call to work more closely in Libya to ensure lasting stability in the country, the Turkish presidency said on Tuesday.
Turkey supports the internationally recognized Government of National Accord in Libya, which is fighting against the eastern-based Libyan National Army, backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. Ankara has previously said the United States needs to play a more active role in Libya.
Trump and Erdogan also discussed bilateral ties and a trade target of $100 billion, the presidency said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Pompeo: US gravely concerned by Lam warning on Hong Kong primary elections

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday said the United States was gravely concerned over Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam's warning that the territory's pan-democratic primary elections may have violated China's new national security law.In a statement, Pompeo said Washington will be watching developments in Hong Kong closely as the legislative council elections there on September 6 approach.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Moderna to begin phase 3 coronavirus vaccine trials on July 27

Moderna said it will conduct the trial at 87 study locations , all in the United States .
The experimental @ @ @ @ @ 30 states and Washington , DC Around half of the study locations are in hard-hit @ @ @ @ @ , Florida , Georgia , Arizona and North and South Carolina .
The United States @ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus cases in recent days , with much of the surge coming from those @ @ @ @ @ is supporting Moderna 's vaccine project with nearly half a billion dollars and has chosen @ @ @ @ @ first to enter large-scale human trials .
Tensions between the company and government scientists contributed @ @ @ @ @ trial launch , Reuters reported earlier this month .

Moderna said on Tuesday it plans to start a late stage clinical trial for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate on or around July 27, according to its listing for the phase 3 study at clinicaltrials.gov.
Moderna said it will conduct the trial at 87 study locations, all in the United States.
The experimental vaccine will be tested in 30 states and Washington, DC Around half of the study locations are in hard-hit states like Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, Arizona and North and South Carolina.
The United States has reported record numbers of new coronavirus cases in recent days, with much of the surge coming from those states.
The federal government is supporting Moderna's vaccine project with nearly half a billion dollars and has chosen it as one of the first to enter large-scale human trials.
Tensions between the company and government scientists contributed to a delay of the trial launch, Reuters reported earlier this month.
Shares of Moderna rose about 2.5% on Nasdaq at midday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--WHO seeking to get poor Latin American states subsidized COVID-19 vaccine

The World Health Organization (WHO) is working to ensure vulnerable Latin American nations receive a "subsidized" vaccine at an "affordable" price once it is available, WHO's regional director for the Americas, Carissa Etienne, said on Tuesday.The death toll from the novel coronavirus in Latin America on Monday surpassed the North American figure for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to a Reuters count.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Health Ministry cancels obligatory quarantine for half of complainants

The Health Ministry on Tuesday canceled obligatory quarantine for more than half of those who claimed to have falsely been identified as potential coronavirus patients.The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee headed by MK Zvi Hauser discussed on Tuesday the Health Ministry's service center, which is responsible for notifying people who need to enter quarantine. The committee also addressed the many complaints that have arisen from civilians regarding the service, its efficiency and its credibility.A Health Ministry representative told the committee that it has released more than half of the people who claimed to have been falsely identified as potential coronavirus patients.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--US judge rejects settlement of Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse claims

US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan said the preliminary settlement would be unfair to women who Weinstein raped or sexually abused , because it treated them no different from women who had merely met him .
He also criticized a plan to set aside money to help Weinstein and the board of his former studio pay defense costs .
`` The idea that Harvey Weinstein could get a defense fund ahead of the plaintiffs is obnoxious , '' Hellerstein said at a hearing .
A settlement would have resolved class-action litigation by Weinstein accusers , and New York Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his brother Bob Weinstein and their bankrupt Weinstein Co of maintaining a hostile work environment .
Elizabeth Fegan , a lawyer representing nine Weinstein accusers , had argued that `` all of the women were in the zone of danger '' created by Weinstein , justifying class-action treatment .
Lawyers for the settling plaintiffs and for Weinstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
A lawyer for Weinstein Co declined to comment .
James ' office will review the decision .
`` Our office has been fighting tirelessly to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are owed and will continue , '' a spokeswoman said .
The settlement drew objections from women who said it would leave Weinstein 's victims with typical awards of just $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 , while setting aside $ 15.2 million for defense costs .
Douglas Wigdor , a lawyer representing six objectors , said he was pleased Hellerstein `` swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal . ''

A US judge on Tuesday rejected a proposed $18.9 million civil settlement for women who claimed they were subjected to sexual abuse and workplace harassment by the disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan said the preliminary settlement would be unfair to women who Weinstein raped or sexually abused, because it treated them no different from women who had merely met him.
He also criticized a plan to set aside money to help Weinstein and the board of his former studio pay defense costs.
"The idea that Harvey Weinstein could get a defense fund ahead of the plaintiffs is obnoxious," Hellerstein said at a hearing.
A settlement would have resolved class-action litigation by Weinstein accusers, and New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit accusing Weinstein, his brother Bob Weinstein and their bankrupt Weinstein Co of maintaining a hostile work environment.
Elizabeth Fegan, a lawyer representing nine Weinstein accusers, had argued that "all of the women were in the zone of danger" created by Weinstein, justifying class-action treatment.
Lawyers for the settling plaintiffs and for Weinstein did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A lawyer for Weinstein Co declined to comment.
James' office will review the decision. "Our office has been fighting tirelessly to provide these brave women with the justice they are owed and will continue," a spokeswoman said.
The settlement drew objections from women who said it would leave Weinstein's victims with typical awards of just $10,000 to $20,000, while setting aside $15.2 million for defense costs.
Douglas Wigdor, a lawyer representing six objectors, said he was pleased Hellerstein "swiftly rejected the one-sided proposal."
Weinstein, 68, is appealing his Feb. 24 conviction and 23-year prison term for sexually assaulting a former production assistant and raping a onetime aspiring actress. He still faces separate rape and sexual assault charges in Los Angeles.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Gideon Sa'ar: Black Flag protests are political, unrelated to coronavirus

Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar gave an interview to N12 on Tuesday and addressed the recent civil protests in light of the economic crisis."The Black Flag protests are political protest[s] with a clear political agenda against the prime minister and have nothing to do with the coronavirus."People are losing their basic means. We must see and understand the authentic upheaval. However, I'm troubled by political factors who are taking it to dangerous places," Saar said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Man in serious condition after attempted murder in Jaffa

A man in serious condition was evacuated to the Wolfson Medical Center in Tel Aviv on Tuesday afternoon, after being shot on Nevatim street in the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa.Israel Police are at the scene and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Gov't holds special meeting after new COVID-19 daily cases record

After Israel broke its daily new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, reaching a record of 1,681 new cases in a single day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned experts and senior officials to discuss the continued efforts for combating the virus, according to N12.Among the participants who were summoned is former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov. The "consultation forum," as it was named, will discuss the new restrictions imposed on the public and the necessary steps required for containing the alarming rise in morbidity rates that has been gushing for the past two weeks.The forum will need to decide, among other issues, if a general lockdown is required at this point.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--AstraZeneca, IQVIA team to speed up studies of COVID-19 vaccine candidate

The collaboration is part of the US government 's Operation Warp Speed to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines and @ @ @ @ @ the drugmakers farthest along in the race to develop a safe and effective vaccine for @ @ @ @ @ caused by the new coronavirus .
The British drugmaker has received U.S. funding of more @ @ @ @ @ secure access to dosages .
The agreement includes an expansive study of trial participants and @ @ @ @ @ trial solutions that would make parts of the study remote .
Clinical trial service providers @ @ @ @ @ boost in demand for their offerings in virtual care - an area that has been @ @ @ @ @ as the pandemic forces people to self-isolate and stay at home .

Life sciences company IQVIA Holdings Inc said on Tuesday it would collaborate with AstraZeneca Plc to speed up clinical studies of the British drugmaker's potential COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.
The collaboration is part of the US government's Operation Warp Speed to accelerate the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
AstraZeneca is among the drugmakers farthest along in the race to develop a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. The British drugmaker has received U.S. funding of more than $1 billion to secure access to dosages.
The agreement includes an expansive study of trial participants and will use IQVIA's virtual trial solutions that would make parts of the study remote.
Clinical trial service providers like IQVIA have seen a boost in demand for their offerings in virtual care - an area that has been slow to catch on - as the pandemic forces people to self-isolate and stay at home.


jerusalempost--2020-07-14--Oman to start allowing citizens to travel abroad - state TV

Oman TV also said on its Twitter account that the Gulf Arab state had decided to maintain a lockdown on @ @ @ @ @ Masirah , without specifying for how long .

Oman will start allowing its citizens to fly outside the country, but they must apply with authorities to do so and quarantine upon their return, state television reported on Tuesday.
Oman TV also said on its Twitter account that the Gulf Arab state had decided to maintain a lockdown on two regions, Dhofar and Masirah, without specifying for how long.
The sultanate has been gradually easing coronavirus restrictions that were imposed in March. Oman TV did not specify when Omani citizens would be able to travel abroad.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Confirmed coronavirus patient was at Tel Aviv economic protest

Due to the continued rise in coronavirus cases, Israel will roll out new restrictions within the next two days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.“I ordered that more steps will be taken within the next 48 hours to help flatten the curve,” the prime minister said. “We made quick and good decisions in the first wave that led us to be in an excellent situation. Now, we need to take determined steps to get back there and be even more successful.”Among the new potential directives: gatherings capped at 10 people, closing beachfronts, synagogues and yeshivot, reducing public transportation, allowing restaurants only to open for delivery and determining if shopping centers and stores can be open based on their risk of infection.Workplaces would continue as usual.Netanyahu admitted Wednesday night that the government made a mistake in the way it opened: “The opening of the banquet halls and large gatherings ... these things lead to a disaster and raise the level of morbidity,” he said. “So, our guidelines will be very strict about gatherings.”The expected plan was shared by Israeli media on the backdrop of a briefing Wednesday by Health Minister Yuli Edelstein, who said that the country could have to take steps toward a closure within the next three or four days if the coronavirus does not stop spreading.“If we can take steps before the closure, we will not get there, if we sit idly by in the coming days, reality will bring us to a closure,” he said following a tour of Hadassah-University Medical Center in Ein Kerem. “I think we have three or four days left to see if there is any result to those minimal steps – much less than we wanted. If a medical miracle happens to us and we see a change in trend, then maybe we won’t get” to a closure either.“I say this in a simple way: From my first day in office I said and did everything not to allow us to get to a general closure,” he continued. “Whenever there is any restriction, a broad public protest against that restriction begins. We must understand once and for all: if no additional tools are available to us, we will eventually have a total lockdown.”Some 1,580 people were diagnosed with the virus on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said Wednesday. Some 31,392 people were tested, making the infection rate 5%.Furthermore, the number of serious patients reached 205 by 7 p.m. on Wednesday, a day in which 1,055 tested positive between midnight and press time. There were 23,399 active patients at press time. Some 375 people have died.Among those newly diagnosed with coronavirus: an individual who was protesting the economic crisis at Rabin Square on Saturday night, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday.The patient was at the square from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the same time as thousands of other protesters.As a result, another protest planned for this coming Saturday night is in jeopardy due to a conflict between the organizers and police.Police said that the protest cannot be held at Rabin Square since social distancing measures could not be maintained in the space if the expected number of participants attend.The police suggested an alternate location – Ganei Yehoshua at Park Hayarkon, but the organizers have rejected the offer, stressing that police cannot tell citizens where they can protest.During the previous protests, participants did not follow the Health Ministry’s directives.Who should manage the growing crisis?In an interview with N12, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that to stop the lockdown, the government must transfer the authority to manage the coronavirus to his office.“I think we need to give the Defense Ministry the ability to lead the campaign operationally in the field because only we have the ability to help civilians,” Gantz told N12. “What did we do yesterday in Beit Shemesh? What are we doing today in Kiryat Malachi?”“This is what we know how to do best – better than any other body,” Gantz continued. “We are the largest system in the country that knows how to manage the most complex systems in the country... I will continue to push it until it happens.”But Edelstein said that he feels otherwise. While at Hadassah, he referred to Gantz’s demand to transfer powers from the Health Ministry to the defense establishment.“Unfortunately, I have been hearing in recent days a question that just makes me smirk,” Edelstein said. “Who is in charge? Who is running the event?“I want to tell you in the simplest and clearest way: I am responsible for this event, I have the authority, and I take all the responsibility,” he continued.He said that he and director-general Chezy Levy are working in close cooperation with the Home Front Command, National Security Council, the IDF, other ministries and the prime minister. Nonetheless, “the responsibility remains mine, that of my director-general and the staff of the Health Ministry. That is how we see it.“I do not have time for politics,” he concluded.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting on Tuesday of a new “coronavirus advisory committee” that included former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov. Israeli media reported that the prime minister had asked Bar Siman Tov to serve as the manager of this second wave of the virus, but the former director-general refused.Rather, it is expected that Maj.-Gen. Amir Abulafia could take over an expected “emergency management authority” that would be run by the IDF and overseen by the Health Ministry.The Defense Ministry said on Wednesday that the number of coronavirus hotels has increased to 20 to help accommodate the growing number of patients – 15 for people recovering from coronavirus and another five for those who need to isolate. In total, some 4,301 people can be accommodated at the same time.Also, the Defense Ministry announced a NIS 25,000 aid package to help support communities under lockdown.For the cities of Lod and Kiryat Malachi, food baskets will be put together and then distributed to residents by the Home Front Command. Additionally, NIS 150,000 will be allocated to the municipalities to help inform residents about the option to evacuate to a coronavirus hotel.The IDF and the Home Front Command will set up buses to help transport people directly from their homes to the hotels.The aid package is like one that the ministry provided Beit Shemesh just 48 hours before.In the meantime, the health system is beginning to crumble.The National Association of Nurses said it will go on strike on Monday if the Finance and Health ministries do not find a way to support the public health system.“The Association of Nurses hereby announces that as of July 20, 2020, it will launch an emergency strike,” chairwoman Ilana Cohen wrote in a letter to the directors of the health funds and the Health Ministry. They said the strike is “out of national responsibility and in order to stop the collapse of the nursing system and save lives.”She said that “the Finance Ministry is not doing enough to put human life and public health at the top of its priorities, and therefore, unfortunately, we have no choice but to take organizational measures before having to deal with immoral and inhumane decisions.“We nurses have decided to take action and take all legal measures at our disposal to prevent injury and loss of life, to stop the deterioration [of the health system] at the hands of coronavirus and to prevent the expected ‘Yom Kippur’ of the public health system.”Edelstein said that he and Levy will meet with Finance Minister Israel Katz on Thursday.Anna Ahronheim and Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Air strikes kill civilians in Yemen's al-Jawf province

The Houthi health ministry spokesman said in a Twitter post that air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition hit residential houses @ @ @ @ @ two children .
Two residents told Reuters that seven people had been killed .

Airstrikes on Yemen 's northern province of al-Jawf killed at least seven civilians on Wednesday, residents and an official from the Houthi movement said - the third such incident since June as violence resurges in the war-ravaged country.The Houthi health ministry spokesman said air raids by a Saudi -led coalition hit residential houses in the al-Hazm district, killing nine people including two children and two women. Two residents told Reuters seven people had been killed.The coalition did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 soon after the Iran-aligned Houthi movement ousted the Saudi-backed government from power in the capital Sanaa.Violence has picked up since the expiry in late May of a temporary ceasefire prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the Houthis repeatedly staging missile and drone attacks on Saudi cities and the coalition retaliating with airstrikes.Earlier this week the Houthis targeted Saudi border cities with missiles and drones in what they called a response to airstrikes that killed 10 civilians in the Hajjah region. The coalition later said it would investigate the matter.In June, an airstrike killed at least 12 people, including four children, in Saada province, according to the Houthis and a UN official. The coalition said it had targeted a vehicle carrying armed Houthi combatants.The United Nations last month removed the Western-backed coalition from a UN blacklist several years after it was first accused of killing and injuring children in Yemen.The conflict, largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has killed more than 100,000 people and caused what the United Nations describes as the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Over 1,500 people diagnosed with corona; serious patient toll nears 200

Furthermore , the number of serious patients reached 195 at 11 a.m. on Wednesday .
There are now 22,704 active patients ; some 375 people have died .
The news of the spike in patients comes on the backdrop of a revelation Wednesday that a confirmed coronavirus patient was at the protest against the economic crisis at Rabin Square on Saturday night , the Health Ministry reported .
The patient was at the square from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thousands of protesters attended the event .
At the same time , the Defense Ministry said that the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help accommodate the growing number of patients – 15 for people recovering from coronavirus and another five for those who need to isolate .
In total , the hotels contain 4,301 rooms .
Eleven of the hotels are located in Jerusalem , the Health Ministry said .
Six are in the North and three in the South .
Among the 20 , eleven are targeted toward the ultra-Orthodox community .
Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz on Wednesday spoke with directors of nursing homes in Israel , and thanked them for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Speaking on a zoom call along with Minister of social equality Meirav Cohen , Gantz listened to the difficulties such as lack of budgeting and various financial struggles the directors were facing .
`` We are in difficult times so it does not matter to me if the geriatric institutions that care for the elderly are private or public , the responsibility is the state 's and it should be reflected in the supervision , regulation , and budgeting or payment of grants to those who do the important work , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our most sensitive population and we must do everything to ensure that their old age is dignified and humane . ''
Cohen said that the government has allowed some 2,500 foreign workers to enter the country in order to work at such institutions and that they should now be able to ensure that they receive the necessary budget which would ensure their financial stability .
`` It should be understood that the Corona crisis has placed enormous costs on the directors of these institutions and if they collapse financially the first to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live there , '' she said .
Furthermore , the ministry has hired 170 buses to transport the sick and isolated .


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Positive news on Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine could come on Thursday

The project has started Phase III of the human trials to assess how the vaccine works in a large number @ @ @ @ @ of 18 , but has yet to report Phase I trial results .
The developers @ @ @ @ @ month said they are encouraged by the immune response they have seen in trials so @ @

Positive news on initial trials of the University of Oxford's potential COVID-19 vaccine that has been licensed to AstraZeneca could be announced as soon as Thursday, ITV's political editor Robert Peston said, citing a source.
The project has started Phase III of the human trials to assess how the vaccine works in a large number of people over the age of 18, but has yet to report Phase I trial results.
The developers of the vaccine earlier this month said they are encouraged by the immune response they have seen in trials so far.
"I am hearing there will be positive news soon (perhaps tomorrow) on initial trials of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine that is backed by AstraZeneca," Peston said in a blog post on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Philippines confirms 11 new coronavirus deaths, 1,392 cases

In a bulletin , the ministry said total deaths had risen to 1,614 , while confirmed infections reached 58,850 .

The Philippines' health ministry on Wednesday reported 11 new coronavirus deaths and 1,392 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths had risen to 1,614, while confirmed infections reached 58,850.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is due to decide whether or not to maintain partial restrictions in the capital, set to expire on Wednesday, to slow the spread of the virus as some hospitals reach critical care capacity.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Indonesia sees biggest daily jump of COVID-19 deaths

Indonesia reported 87 new coronavirus deaths on Wednesday, its biggest daily jump, bringing the total number of fatalities to 3,797, its health ministry said.Indonesia also reported 1,522 new coronavirus infections, taking the overall tally to 80,094 cases, ministry official Achmad Yurianto told a televised news briefing.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Boris Johnson speaks with Mahmoud Abbas about West Bank annexation

Johnson urged Abbas to enter negotiations with Israel and offered to foster dialogue between the two states .

Johnson urged Abbas to enter negotiations with Israel and offered to foster dialogue between the two states.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson discussed the UK's commitment to the two state solution and opposition to Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Hong Kong reports 19 new coronavirus cases, down from recent spike

Wednesday 's toll dropped substantially from Tuesday 's 48 new cases .
The city had registered a sharp increase in @ @ @ @ @ the past week with the majority of cases transmitted locally .

Hong Kong reported 19 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, including 14 that were locally transmitted, as new social distancing measures came into force and as authorities warned that the risk of a large-scale outbreak remained high.
Wednesday's toll dropped substantially from Tuesday's 48 new cases. The city had registered a sharp increase in the number of cases in the past week with the majority of cases transmitted locally.
Since late January, the global financial hub has reported more than 1,500 cases and eight deaths.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Russia reports more than 6,400 new coronavirus cases

Russia on Wednesday reported 6,422 new coronavirus cases, pushing its confirmed national tally to 746,369, the fourth highest in the world.Officials said 156 people had died of the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 11,770.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--UAE postpones Mars mission again due to weather at Japan launch site

A new launch date in July will be announced soon , the statement on Twitter said .
The UAE has @ @ @ @ @ until Aug. 3 .

The United Arab Emirates has postponed the launch of its mission to Mars for a second time due to weather conditions at the launch site in Japan, the government's communications office said on Wednesday.
A new launch date in July will be announced soon, the statement on Twitter said. The UAE has said the launch window extends until Aug. 3.
The UAE's Hope Probe was due to launch from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center at 12:51am UAE time on Wednesday (2051 GMT Tuesday) for a seven-month journey to the red planet where it was due to orbit and send back data about the atmosphere.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Trump on UK's Huawei ban: 'I did this myself'

On Tuesday , Johnson ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from Britain 's 5G network by the end of @ @ @ @ @ of China by signaling that the world 's biggest telecoms equipment maker is not welcome @ @ @ @

U.S. President Donald Trump said that he was responsible for Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to ban Huawei from Britain's 5G network from the end of 2027.
On Tuesday, Johnson ordered Huawei equipment to be purged completely from Britain's 5G network by the end of 2027, risking the ire of China by signaling that the world's biggest telecoms equipment maker is not welcome in the West.
"We convinced many countries, many countries, I did this myself for the most part, not to use Huawei, because we think it is an unsafe security risk, it's a big security risk," Trump said, before referring to the UK ban.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Inmate infected with coronavirus, prisoners, staff members quarantined

After an epidemiological investigation , a number of staff members and 89 inmates were put in quarantine .

After an epidemiological investigation, a number of staff members and 89 inmates were put in quarantine.
An inmate who was held by the Israel Prison Service for 24 hours and released was confirmed as infected with the coronavirus on Tuesday night.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--NY Times to relocate part of Hong Kong office to Seoul

The Times said its employees have faced challenges securing work permits and it would move its digital team of journalists , roughly a third of its Hong Kong staff , to the South Korean capital over the next year .
The move delivers a blow to the city 's status as a hub for journalism in Asia , and comes as China and the United States have clashed over journalists working in each other 's countries .
Earlier this year , Beijing said journalists no longer allowed to work in mainland China could not work in Hong Kong either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we are making plans to geographically diversify our editing staff , '' a spokeswoman for The Times told Reuters .
`` We will maintain a large presence in Hong Kong and have every intention of maintaining our coverage of Hong Kong and China . ''
Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise of a high degree of autonomy , which has preserved the city 's tradition of a freewheeling press and allowed international media to use it as their Asia hub .
The new national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defines as secession , subversion , terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison , has stoked worries about freedom of speech and that of the media .
Authorities insist those freedoms remain intact but say national security is a red line .
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said reporters can report freely in the city if they do not violate the security law .
Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Earlier this year , Washington began treating five major Chinese state-run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then slashed the number of journalists allowed to work for Chinese state media to 100 from 160 , previously .
In retaliation , China said it was revoking the accreditations of American correspondents with the New York Times , News Corp 's Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post whose credentials expire by the end of 2020 .
Beijing has also expelled three Wall Street Journal correspondents - two Americans and an Australian - following an opinion column by the newspaper that called China the `` real sick man of Asia .
@

The Times said its employees have faced challenges securing work permits and it would move its digital team of journalists, roughly a third of its Hong Kong staff, to the South Korean capital over the next year.
The move delivers a blow to the city's status as a hub for journalism in Asia, and comes as China and the United States have clashed over journalists working in each other's countries. Earlier this year, Beijing said journalists no longer allowed to work in mainland China could not work in Hong Kong either.
"Given the uncertainty of the moment, we are making plans to geographically diversify our editing staff," a spokeswoman for The Times told Reuters.
"We will maintain a large presence in Hong Kong and have every intention of maintaining our coverage of Hong Kong and China."
Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise of a high degree of autonomy, which has preserved the city's tradition of a freewheeling press and allowed international media to use it as their Asia hub.
The new national security law, which punishes what China broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison, has stoked worries about freedom of speech and that of the media.
Authorities insist those freedoms remain intact but say national security is a red line.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said reporters can report freely in the city if they do not violate the security law. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this year, Washington began treating five major Chinese state-run media entities the same as foreign embassies, then slashed the number of journalists allowed to work for Chinese state media to 100 from 160, previously.
In retaliation, China said it was revoking the accreditations of American correspondents with the New York Times, News Corp's Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post whose credentials expire by the end of 2020.
Beijing has also expelled three Wall Street Journal correspondents - two Americans and an Australian - following an opinion column by the newspaper that called China the "real sick man of Asia."
The New York Times will shift part of its Hong Kong office to Seoul, in an ominous move as worries grow that the new national security law China imposed on the financial hub two weeks ago would curb media and other freedoms in the city.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Trump executive order on Hong Kong includes sanctions

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order blocking the US property of persons who undermine democratic institutions @ @ @ @ @ measures following Beijing 's tightening of control on the city .

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order blocking the US property of persons who undermine democratic institutions in Hong Kong and other measures following Beijing's tightening of control on the city.
The text of the order released by the White House also revokes license exceptions for exports to Hong Kong and eliminates the preference for Hong Kong passport holders as compared to China.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--France reports 534 new confirmed COVID-19 cases

France reported 534 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 18 new deaths from the virus on Thursday, hours after ministers urged people to start wearing masks in enclosed public places to prevent a new flare-up of the epidemic.According to health ministry data, the total death toll since the outbreak started reached 30,138, and the number of confirmed cases was 173,838.The number of people in hospital was 6,796, down 119 over the previous 24 hours, and the number of those in intensive care was 481, one fewer than a day earlier.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Netanyahu: Without regulations we will have 1,600 serious cases in 3 weeks

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday evening during an emergency government meeting to discuss ways of curbing the novel coronavirus resurgence that "without additional regulations, we will reach 1,600 seriously ill coronavirus patients within three weeks."Earlier in the meeting, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz suggested the application of a potential nightly curfew.National Security Adviser and NSC Director Meir Ben Shabbat recommended during the meeting to close the beaches as early as Friday, and impose weekend lockdowns in a format similar to the lockdowns seen during Passover Seders.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Virus was direct cause of death for 89% of Italian COVID-19 victims

Since discovering its first infections in February , Italy has reported some 35,000 COVID-19 fatalities .
However , health authorities @ @ @ @ @ died were also affected by other ailments and this provoked a fierce debate on whether @ @ @ @ @ cause of death .
The study published by the Superior Health Institute and National Statistics @ @ @ @ @ was the direct cause of death for 89 % of the 4,942 victims in the @ @ @ @ @ % had coronavirus but died as a direct result of other medical conditions , including @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the virus might have aggravated their condition and accelerated their death .
@ @ @ @ @ deaths reported at the end of May , when Italy had already loosened its rigid @ @ @ @ @ observed in 79 % of the people whose deaths were directly tied to coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 patients , followed by other respiratory diseases .
The report showed COVID-19 was @ @ @ @ @ who did not have any underlying health problem .

The new coronavirus has directly caused the death of 9 out of 10 of Italian COVID-19 victims, a study released on Thursday said, shedding new light on the epidemic which mainly struck the country's northern regions.
Since discovering its first infections in February, Italy has reported some 35,000 COVID-19 fatalities.
However, health authorities said many of those who died were also affected by other ailments and this provoked a fierce debate on whether the virus was the actual cause of death.
The study published by the Superior Health Institute and National Statistics Institute ISTAT showed the coronavirus was the direct cause of death for 89% of the 4,942 victims in the sample.
The remaining 11% had coronavirus but died as a direct result of other medical conditions, including heart disease cancer and dementia. However, the virus might have aggravated their condition and accelerated their death.
The study was based on deaths reported at the end of May, when Italy had already loosened its rigid lockdown rules.
Pneumonia was observed in 79% of the people whose deaths were directly tied to coronavirus and was the most common complication for COVID-19 patients, followed by other respiratory diseases.
The report showed COVID-19 was also fatal for some people who did not have any underlying health problem.
"In 28.2% of the cases analyzed, there are no other causes of death," the report said.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Air Force training to cause disturbances near Ein Shemer for three weeks

Starting on Friday , and for the next three weeks , the Air Force will be holding daily training sessions @ @ @ @ @ Ein Shemer airfield area , the IDF Spokesperson 's Unit announced on Thursday .
As @ @ @ @ @ increased aircraft activity will be felt and heard in the area .
The training was @ @ @ @ @ as part of the training program for 2020 .

Starting on Friday, and for the next three weeks, the Air Force will be holding daily training sessions for several hours in the Ein Shemer airfield area, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit announced on Thursday.
As part of the training, increased aircraft activity will be felt and heard in the area. The training was planned ahead of time, as part of the training program for 2020.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--US FBI is leading an inquiry into the Twitter hack

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The FBI is leading an inquiry into the Twitter hacking, according to sources familiar with the situation, as more Washington lawmakers raised alarms about the breach of high-profile accounts on the social media platform.Earlier the law enforcement agency had said hackers appeared to commit cryptocurrency fraud after they seized control of the Twitter accounts of celebrities and political figures including Joe Biden, Kim Kardashian, Barack Obama and Elon Musk.The Federal Bureau of Investigation did not immediately respond to a question about it leading an inquiry into Twitter.A day after the breach, it was not clear if the hackers were able to see private messages sent by the account holders. US lawmakers worried about future attacks."While this scheme appears financially motivated...imagine if these bad actors had a different intent to use powerful voices to spread disinformation to potentially interfere with our elections, disrupt the stock market, or upset our international relations," US Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat, said in a statement.Echoing a similar sentiment, Representative Jim Jordan, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, asked what would happen if Twitter allowed a similar incident to occur on Nov. 2, a day before the US presidential election.Jordan said he remained locked out of his Twitter account as of Thursday morning and said his confidence in how the company operates has been deteriorating.Twitter Inc said hackers had targeted employees with access to its internal systems and "used this access to take control of many highly-visible (including verified) accounts and Tweet on their behalf."Other high-profile accounts that were hacked included rapper Kanye West, Amazon.com Inc founder Jeff Bezos, investor Warren Buffett, Microsoft Corp co-founder Bill Gates, and the corporate accounts for Uber Technologies Inc and Apple Inc.In an extraordinary step, it temporarily prevented many verified accounts from publishing messages as it investigated the breach.The hijacked accounts tweeted out messages telling users to send bitcoin and their money would be doubled. Publicly available blockchain records show that the apparent scammers received more than $100,000 worth of cryptocurrency.Twitter's shares fell a little over 1% on Thursday afternoon.CEO Jack Dorsey said in a tweet on Wednesday that it was a "tough day" for everyone at Twitter and pledged to share "everything we can when we have a more complete understanding of exactly what happened."Dorsey's assurances did not assuage Washington's concerns about social media companies, whose policies have come under scrutiny by critics on both the left and the right.Democratic Senator Mark Warner called on Twitter and law enforcement to investigate the matter while the US House Intelligence Committee said it was in touch with Twitter regarding the hack, according to a committee official who did not wish to be named.Republican Senator Josh Hawley wrote a letter to Dorsey within minutes of the hack and asked about potential data theft and whether the breach affected select users or the security of the platform overall.Frank Pallone, a Democrat who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee that oversees a sizeable portion of US tech policy, said in a tweet the company "needs to explain how all of these prominent accounts were hacked."The New York State Department of Financial Services also weighed in, saying it will investigate the hack.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 13.64 million, death toll at 584,152

More than 13.64 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 584,152 have died, according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Goldin family: Netanyahu meeting a 'PR stunt meant to hide his inaction'

The family of deceased IDF soldier Hadar Goldin said after their meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ public relations '' move for the prime minister , claiming he was attempting to `` @ @ @ @ @ a possible prisoner swap for Goldin 's body .
`` Moreover , instead of presenting @ @ @ @ @ of our boys , the prime minister informed us of the establishment of a committee @ @ @ @ @ on anyone who has been offered to be a member of this committee to refuse @ @ @ @ @ as its whole purpose is to waste time and further delay in the process , @ @ @ @ @

The family of deceased IDF soldier Hadar Goldin said after their meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that the meeting was a "public relations" move for the prime minister, claiming he was attempting to "hide his inaction" on a possible prisoner swap for Goldin's body.
"Moreover, instead of presenting actual actions for the return of our boys, the prime minister informed us of the establishment of a committee."
"We call on anyone who has been offered to be a member of this committee to refuse to participate in it, as its whole purpose is to waste time and further delay in the process," the family added.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Maj.-Gen. Amir Abulafia to be appointed as head of coronavirus authority

IDF Maj.-Gen. Amir Abuafia will be appointed as the new head of Israel's coronavirus authority, the Health Ministry said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting on Tuesday of a new “coronavirus advisory committee” that included former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov. Israeli media reported that the prime minister had asked Bar Siman Tov to serve as the manager of this second wave of the virus, but the former director-general refused the offer.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Public Health Physicians Association warns against expected lockdowns

`` In order to maintain public trust and public health .
decision-making must be conducted transparently , in a planned @ @ @ @ @ of epidemiological logic and data and not on the basis of political considerations .
There @ @ @ @ @

"In order to maintain public trust and public health. decision-making must be conducted transparently, in a planned manner, on the basis of epidemiological logic and data and not on the basis of political considerations. There are alternative strategies."
The chairman of the Israeli Public Health Physicians Association Prof. Hagai Levine sharply criticized the government's expected decision to lock down certain areas to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, saying that "if a sweeping decision is made to lockdown on weekends or prevent access to open spaces, it does not make epidemiological sense."


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Police disperse 80-person memorial service at Lod synagogue

The event included 80 participants who , according to the police report , were neither wearing masks nor observing social @ @ @ @ @ were dispersed , the memorial organizer was detained by police for questioning .
A hearing @ @ @ @ @ synagogue 's Gabbai , and the place has been closed for at least the coming @ @

The event included 80 participants who, according to the police report, were neither wearing masks nor observing social distancing guidelines.
After participants were dispersed, the memorial organizer was detained by police for questioning. A hearing was also held for the synagogue's Gabbai, and the place has been closed for at least the coming week.
Police forces, with the help of municipal inspectors, dispersed a large memorial service which was being held at a synagogue on Shlomo HaMelech Street in the city of Lod on Thursday, against Health Ministry guidelines.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Maccabi CEO: There is no choice, several weeks lockdown imminent

Following Health Minister Yuli Edelstein's announcement that if a "medical miracle" does not occur, the State of Israel will be forced to return to a full lockdown, Ran Saar, head of Maccabi Health Services, which is a major healthcare provider in Israel, indicated in an interview on 103 FM that Israel already requires a full lockdown for a number of weeks.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Palestinian Authority coronavirus death toll hits 50, cases rise by 463

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Thursday afternoon that three additional people had died of COVID-19 , taking the official @ @ @ @ @ Bank to 50 .
The Health Ministry also reported that 463 new coronavirus cases had @ @ @ @ @ total amount of active cases in the PA to 7,080 , after 1,487 have reportedly @ @ @ @ @ far .
17 are in serious condition , 6 of which are intubated .
The @ @ @ @ @ in Hebron , which has so far seen 41 deaths and 182 active cases , @ @ @ @ @ .

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported on Thursday afternoon that three additional people had died of COVID-19, taking the official death toll in the West Bank to 50.
The Health Ministry also reported that 463 new coronavirus cases had been diagnosed, bringing the total amount of active cases in the PA to 7,080, after 1,487 have reportedly recovered from the virus so far. 17 are in serious condition, 6 of which are intubated.
The largest outbreak has been seen in Hebron, which has so far seen 41 deaths and 182 active cases, according to Health Ministry data.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Government to approve weekend lockdowns, restaurant deliveries only

The country is preparing for another lockdown after the coronavirus pandemic has spread throughout Israel .
On Thursday night , the government is expected to approve : > Lockdown from Friday afternoon until Sunday morning - effective next week > Restaurants - open for takeaway and delivery only If this plan is put into effect , it will cost the country NIS 800,000 million to NIS 1 billion per day , the Finance Ministry said .
The cabinet will meet at around 8:30 p.m. to begin what are supposed to be heated discussions .
Education Minister Yoav Gallant , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly opposes closing schools , for example , because of the heavy toll they will take on the economy .
Currently , there are some 895 students out of 700,000 who have coronavirus , the Education Ministry reported .
Gallant charged that the Health Ministry does not make data-driven decisions but rather “ intuitive choices without the facts .
I am opposed to closing the camps .
If we do that , give parents at least a week to prepare.
” The Finance Ministry said that every day in which the camps are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 million .
Many medical leaders and politicians alike had negative reactions to this plan , among them the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians , which said in a statement that the decision was `` devoid of epidemiological logic . ''
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to see the lockdown go into effect already this Friday .
However , doing so would not be feasible , both because Blue and White said it would not vote in favor of such a move and because it requires legislation that could not be prepared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday afternoon that to date he has not been consulted about the legality of the government announcing a second national lockdown .
He said he will present his position to the cabinet Thursday evening after learning about the initiative through the media .
The goal of the new restrictions is to reduce the number of new daily patients to 400 by August 31 , according to insiders , with the idea that the situation would be assessed in early September .
Currently , the average number of daily patients is much higher than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 1,862 people were infected with the virus on Wednesday - the highest number of new diagnoses to date .
Out of 30,508 tests , the infection rate holds at 6 % .
There are around 25,000 people who actively have the virus , among them 203 who are in serious condition .
Some 383 people have died .
Earlier in the day at the coronavirus cabinet meeting , Interior Minister Aryeh Deri warned the group that steps needed to be taken immediately to prepare for the winter , when tens of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu .
“ Everyone who has the flu will think he has coronavirus and will run to the hospital , ” Deri reportedly said at the meeting .
“ The hospitals are likely to crackdown .
We got through the first wave with awesome success , but we lost it all at the beginning of the second wave .
When we had 100 newly diagnosed people per day we needed to better prepare to test , isolate and cut off the infection chains.
” MK Naftali Bennett lashed out at the cabinet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday morning , tweeting that the government is `` disconnected , irrational and destructive . ''
Coalition member MK Gideon Saar , who has a historic rivalry with the prime minister , also took to Twitter .
He said that the move will `` exacerbate the damage to the economy '' and will not achieve its desired purpose . ''
There are alternatives on the table as well , which even if they do not pass through the cabinet Thursday could be rolled out later , such as having lockdown every night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , High Court of Justice President Esther Hayut sent a letter to the entire judicial branch to try to rally them despite setbacks from the coronavirus second wave .
Hayut said that one judge and nine other judicial branch employees are infected and that 24 judges and 192 branch staff are in quarantine .
She said the judiciary was doing its best to learn lessons to bring infection rates down but gave the impression that the courts will remain open .
Further , she slammed the recent ( failed ) attempt in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of inquiry regarding judicial conflicts of interest as having ulterior interests , framing it as `` another wave '' of problems which the judiciary is having to cope with .
At the same time , the Defense Ministry announced that it is working to expand its agreement with My Heritage to conduct 30,000 coronavirus tests per day , up from its current 10,000 .
At the same time , the ministry said it aims to shorten response times by expanding automation processes and connecting the laboratory directly to healthcare providers .
The Directorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ministry said it hopes to sign an agreement with My Heritage in the coming days , a statement from the ministry said .
At the same time , the Defense Ministry is working to assist the Health Ministry and healthcare providers in purchasing and bringing testing equipment to Israel .
It also announced that it rolled out a financial and hasbara support plan for the haredi ( ultra-Orthodox ) community of Kirayt Yearim , which has a high-level of infection .
A poll by the Hebrew TV station N12 found that a high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus crisis be moved to the authority of the defense establishment .

Ministers met until late Thursday night considering how and when to impose a lockdown due to an increasing surge in coronavirus cases throughout the entire country.
The meeting stretched on due to infighting in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet over whether to close summer camps and other remaining educational institutions.
Education Minister Yoav Gallant strongly opposed closing schools because of the heavy toll it will take on the economy.
Out of 700,000 students, 895 have coronavirus, the Education Ministry reported – a tenth of a percent.
Gallant charged that the Health Ministry does not make data-driven decisions but rather “intuitive choices without the facts. I am opposed to closing the camps. If we do that, give parents at least a week to prepare.”
The Finance Ministry said that every day in which the camps are closed stands to cost the country NIS 300 million.
Netanyahu told the cabinet: “We are making every effort to prevent a full lockdown. We are working according to the pace of the coronavirus, and we don’t have a lot of choices. This is not a normal situation. This is not a situation that allows us to take steps for a few days and hope it will turn out alright. The disease is changing quickly and we need to change along with it.”
The prime minister warned that “the alternative steps are harsher and we are trying to avoid them. Ultimately, there may be no choice but to take them. However, at the moment, we are trying to make rapid decisions that we can agree on.”
In the end, the government agreed on a long list of new directives:
Beginning Friday at 5 p.m. > Gyms and studios used for sports or dance activities (except for use by competitive athletes) - closed > Restaurants - takeaway and delivery > Workplace cafeterias - pickup only Hotel restaurants will be able to continue operating at 35% capacity. Weekend restrictions (Fridays from 5 p.m. until Sundays at 5 a.m.): > Beaches will be closed (except this weekend, when they will remain open) > Stores, malls, retail markets, hairdressers, beauty salons, libraries, zoos, museums, pools and other tourist attractions will be closed Grocery stores, pharmacies and those that sell essential items will remain open, as will optical stores and computer and communications repair shops. Also, hotel pools that are accessible to guests only can operate. The following activities will also be impacted: > Gatherings - up to 10 people in closed spaces, 20 in open spaces (beginning Friday at 5 p.m.) > Public reception at government offices - reduced as relevant > Government offices - 50% of staff will work outside the office or be put on leave Decisions about camps and other educational programs will be determined in the coming days by the prime minister and alternate prime minister, in consultation with the finance, health and education ministers. Many medical leaders and politicians alike had negative reactions to this plan, among them the Israeli Association of Public Health Physicians, which said the decision was “devoid of epidemiological logic.”
Netanyahu wanted to see the lockdown go into effect already this Friday. However, doing so would not be feasible, both because Blue and White said it would not vote in favor of such a move and because it requires legislation that could not be prepared in time.
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit said Thursday afternoon that to date he has not been consulted about the legality of the government announcing a second national lockdown. He was expected to present his position to the cabinet Thursday evening after learning about the initiative through the media.
The goal of the new restrictions is to reduce the number of new daily patients to 400 by August 31, National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat said, with the idea that the situation would be assessed again at the end of the summer.
Currently, the average number of daily patients is much higher than that. Currently, the average number of daily patients is much higher than that.
The Health Ministry said on Friday that 1,819 people were diagnosed with the virus on Thursday – one of the highest number of new diagnoses to date. Out of 29,504 tests, the infection rate holds at 6.2%.
There are nearly 26,000 people who actively have the virus, among them 213 who are in serious condition. Some 387 people have died.
Earlier in the day at the coronavirus cabinet meeting, Interior Minister Arye Deri warned the group that steps needed to be taken immediately to prepare for the winter, when tens of thousands of people could be sick with the flu.
“Everyone who has the flu will think he has the coronavirus and will run to the hospital,” Deri reportedly said at the meeting. “The hospitals are likely to crack down. We got through the first wave with awesome success, but we lost it all at the beginning of the second wave. When we had 100 newly diagnosed people per day, we needed to prepare better to test, isolate and cut off the infection chains.”
MK Naftali Bennett lashed out at the cabinet’s decision to impose such a lockdown as early as Friday, tweeting that the government is “disconnected, irrational and destructive.”
Coalition member MK Gideon Sa’ar (Likud), who has a historical rivalry with the prime minister, also took to Twitter. He said the move will “exacerbate the damage to the economy” and “will not achieve its desired purpose.”
Also, on Thursday, High Court of Justice President Esther Hayut sent a letter to the entire judicial branch to try to rally them despite setbacks from the second wave.
Hayut said one judge and nine other judicial branch employees are infected and that 24 judges and 192 branch staff are in quarantine.
She said the judiciary was doing its best to learn lessons to bring infection rates down but gave the impression that the courts will remain open.
She also slammed the recent failed attempt in the Knesset to launch a state commission of inquiry regarding judicial conflicts of interest as having ulterior motives, framing it as “another wave” of problems with which the judiciary is having to cope.
At the same time, the Defense Ministry announced it is working to expand its agreement with MyHeritage to conduct 30,000 coronavirus tests per day, up from 10,000. At the same time, the ministry said it’s aiming to shorten response times by expanding automation processes and connecting the laboratory directly to healthcare providers.
The ministry’s Directorate of Production and Procurement said it hopes to sign an agreement with My Heritage in the coming days, the ministry said.
At the same time, the Defense Ministry is working to assist the Health Ministry and healthcare providers in purchasing and bringing testing equipment to Israel. It also announced that it rolled out a financial and hasbara (public diplomacy) support plan for the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community of Kiryat Ye’arim, which has a high level of infection.
A poll by Channel 12 found that a high percentage of the public would prefer the coronavirus crisis be moved to the authority of the defense establishment.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--PA: 463 people were infected with coronavirus on Wednesday

463 Palestinians were infected with coronavirus Wednesday, according to Palestinian Authority health authorities Thursday, based on a Walla news report.In addition, two Palestinians died from the virus, while 182 of the new cases were located in the Hebron district.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern enters self-isolation

Yesh Atid MK Elazar Stern announced Thursday to the Knesset Superintendent Yosef Griff that he was exposed to a confirmed coronavirus patient, requiring of him to enter self-isolation.He is expected to leave isolation on July 25.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Social workers demonstrate in Jerusalem, block light rail

Dozens of social workers demonstrated Thursday morning at Zion Square in Jerusalem to protest low wages and poor economic conditions, in addition to budget cuts to social services, according to Walla news.The protesters also blocked the Jerusalem light rail.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Kremlin calls US pipeline sanctions threat unfair competition

The Kremlin on Thursday accused the United States of using the threat of sanctions against two Russian pipeline projects as a tool of unfair competition to pressure Europe to dissuade it from buying Russian natural gas.U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday warned investors in the two projects that they could face sanctions as the Trump administration seeks to curb the Kremlin's economic leverage over Europe and Turkey.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Indonesia reports 1,574 new coronavirus infections, 76 new deaths

Indonesia also reported 76 new coronavirus deaths , taking the overall death toll to 3,873 , ministry official Achmad Yurianto @ @ @ @ @ .

Indonesia reported 1,574 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 81,668 its health ministry said.
Indonesia also reported 76 new coronavirus deaths, taking the overall death toll to 3,873, ministry official Achmad Yurianto told a televised news briefing.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Russia's coronavirus case tally passes 750,000

Russia's official coronavirus case tally reached 752,797 on Thursday, the fourth largest in the world, after authorities reported 6,428 new cases in the last 24 hours.In their daily readout, officials said 167 people had died overnight, pushing the official death toll to 11,937.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 13.59 million, death toll at 583,005

More than 13.59 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 583,005 have died, according to a Reuters tally.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--UAE reschedules Mars mission launch to between July 20 and July 22

The United Arab Emirates has rescheduled the launch of its mission to Mars to a preliminary window between July 20 and July 22, depending on weather conditions at the launch site in Japan, the government's communications office said on Thursday.The launch of the UAE's Hope Probe from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center has been delayed twice due to unsettled weather. The probe is set to make a seven-month journey to the red planet before orbiting it and sending back data about the atmosphere.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Hundreds of children from 25 Netivot kindergartens enter isolation

A staff member who were worked in dozens of different kindergartens in the city of Netivot was diagnosed with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ by Walla on Wednesday .
As a result , hundreds of children and staff members @ @ @ @ @ the city entered preventive quarantine .
The Netivot municipality issued a statement confirming that a @ @ @ @ @ Ministry will accommodate the process , and that all parents and staff members will be @ @ @ @ @ is complete .

A staff member who were worked in dozens of different kindergartens in the city of Netivot was diagnosed with coronavirus, according to a report by Walla on Wednesday.
As a result, hundreds of children and staff members in 25 different kindergartens in the city entered preventive quarantine.
The Netivot municipality issued a statement confirming that a special team from the Health Ministry will accommodate the process, and that all parents and staff members will be notified when the epidemiological inquiry is complete.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Reconnaissance plane crashes in eastern Turkey, 7 killed

Suleyman Soylu said the plane crashed on a mountain at an altitude of 2,200 feet ( 670 meters ) .
@ @ @ @ @ pilots , Anadolu quoted him as saying .
Accident investigators are working to determine the @ @ @ @ @ NTV said .
Broadcaster NTV quoted Soylu as saying that the last contact from the @ @ @ @ @ pm ( 1932 GMT ) on Wednesday .
The plane disappeared from radar 13 minutes @ @

Seven Turkish security personnel were killed when a reconnaissance plane crashed in eastern Van province, state-owned Anadolu news agency quoted the interior minister as saying on Thursday.
Suleyman Soylu said the plane crashed on a mountain at an altitude of 2,200 feet (670 meters). The dead included the two pilots, Anadolu quoted him as saying.
Accident investigators are working to determine the cause of the crash, NTV said.
Broadcaster NTV quoted Soylu as saying that the last contact from the plane was received at 10.32 pm (1932 GMT) on Wednesday. The plane disappeared from radar 13 minutes later.
Turkey
Turkish security forces have been fighting Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants in southeastin a conflict which has killed more than 40,000 people. The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984, waging an insurgency for autonomy in the largely Kurdish southeast.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Bill Stepien to become Trump's new re-election campaign manager

`` I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Brad Parscale , who has been with me for a very long time @ @ @ @ @ digital and data strategies , will remain in that role , while being a Senior @ @ @ @ @ '' ( Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York ; Editing by Sandra Maler

"I am pleased to announce that Bill Stepien has been promoted to the role of Trump Campaign Manager," Trump said on Facebook.
"Brad Parscale, who has been with me for a very long time and has led our tremendous digital and data strategies, will remain in that role, while being a Senior Advisor to the campaign." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Hundreds of children and staffers from 25 kindergartens to be quarantined


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Twitter accounts of Musk, Gates apparently hacked

WASHINGTON , July 15 ( Reuters ) - The official Twitter accounts of billionaires Bill Gates and Elon Musk were @ @ @ @ @ sought bitcoin donations on Wednesday .
The tweets on both accounts were later deleted .
@ @ @ @ @ immediately available for comment.Apparent Twitter has spread to more accounts including former vice president Joe @ @ @ @ @ Kanye West .

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - The official Twitter accounts of billionaires Bill Gates and Elon Musk were apparently hacked as both accounts sought bitcoin donations on Wednesday.
Apparent Twitter has spread to more accounts including former vice president Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and Kanye West. The tweets on both accounts were later deleted. Twitter and Tesla were not immediately available for comment.Apparent Twitter has spread to more accounts including former vice president Joe Biden, Mike Bloomberg and Kanye West.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Brazil registers 1,966,748 confirmed cases of new coronavirus

Brazil registers 1,966,748 confirmed cases of new coronavirus, up from 1,926,824 yesterday; Total deaths rise to 75,366 from 74,133 yesterday- Health Ministry says.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Flash Grenade explodes in Bat Yam, no injuries

The grenade exploded on Ben-Gurion-Street in Bat Yam .
No casualties have been reported .
Police forces are on the @ @

The grenade exploded on Ben-Gurion-Street in Bat Yam. No casualties have been reported. Police forces are on the scene.
A flash grenade was thrown toward a business in Bat Yam Wednesday night, likely as a result of criminal activity, Israeli media reported.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--Brazil President Bolsonaro has tested positive for coronavirus again

Local outlet CNN Brasil had reported the positive test result earlier on Wednesday .

Local outlet CNN Brasil had reported the positive test result earlier on Wednesday.
BRASILIA, July 15 (Reuters) - Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro told reporters on Wednesday in Brasilia that he has tested positive for coronavirus again, a week after he announced he had become ill with COVID-19, and said he would get tested once more in a few days.


jerusalempost--2020-07-15--South Africa COVID-19 cases surpass 300,000

Africa 's most industrialised nation recorded a rise of 12,757 cases on Wednesday to reach 311,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases , @ @ @ @ @ a late evening statement four months since the first case was confirmed in the country @ @ @ @ @ about 2.3 million people so far and has had 4,453 deaths since March 27 , @ @ @ @

Africa's most industrialised nation recorded a rise of 12,757 cases on Wednesday to reach 311,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases, its health ministry said in a late evening statement four months since the first case was confirmed in the country.
South Africa has tested about 2.3 million people so far and has had 4,453 deaths since March 27, the statement said.
JOHANNESBURG, July 15 (Reuters) - South Africa 's cases of COVID-19 crossed 300,000 on Wednesday, the most in Africa and among the 10 highest in the world.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--Netanyahu to cabinet: Put me, Gantz in charge of schools

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the cabinet to place him and Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz @ @ @ @ @ system , Walla reported early Friday morning .
According to the media outlet , Attorney-General @ @ @ @ @ , saying the authority over schools `` belongs to the [ newly-appointed ] Education Ministry @ @ @ @ @ . )
Amit Adri .
Netanyahu made his suggestion at a cabinet meeting over Israel @ @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the cabinet to place him and Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz in charge of the education system, Walla reported early Friday morning.
According to the media outlet, Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit responded to Netanyahu, saying the authority over schools "belongs to the [newly-appointed] Education Ministry Director-General" Col (ret.) Amit Adri.


jerusalempost--2020-07-16--US preparing guidance to reduce 'unnecessary' COVID-19 testing

The United States is preparing to issue guidance on reducing "unnecessary" testing for COVID-19 as it works to reduce turnaround times for tests, a senior U.S. health official said on Thursday.Details of the guidance are still being hammered out but it would be aimed partly at discouraging COVID-19 patients who have completed home quarantine from getting retested before returning to work or school, said Brett Giroir, assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Speaking on a call with reporters, he said such unnecessary tests were "clogging up the system."


jerusalempost--2020-07-17--Public Security Minister accuses Attorney-General over PM threats

In a letter that was sent by Public Security Minister, Amir Ohana , to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, Ohana accused the latter of his alleged ignoring of possible threats against the PM and his family.The letter was actually a response to a previous correspondence between the two. Ohana further accused the Attorney-General by claiming that "it seems that you are acting as someone who is on a personal crusade against the PM."