jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Knesset approves coronavirus-era emergency powers bill

The Knesset approved in second and third reading on Tuesday night the novel coronavirus-era emergency powers bill , the emergency powers will come into effect on Wednesday at 6 a.m .
There were ten MKs present during the readings , Army radio reported on Tuesday night.A decision was made to extend most of the corona-era emergency powers granted to the state for an additional 45 days pending ongoing consideration of a new bill to permanently set the balance between civil liberties and coronavirus-related enforcement powers.The Knesset Constitution , Law and Justice Committee made a few amendments to the bill before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The committee decided to cancel the rule regarding prison sentences required by law for violating coronavirus regulations , such as not wearing a mask or violating quarantine regulations .
Additionally , it was agreed to put an end to the special authority given to police during the coronavirus-era allowing them to search citizens ' homes with a warrant to check if they quarantining as required .
The committee made a request regarding the authority of police to disband gatherings , such as protests .
Disbanding will only be allowed if there is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to public health orders .
However , despite having reached agreement days ago on stripping that power from the forward-looking bill , there was intense disagreement about stripping that power effective immediately .
Further amendments were also added to the bill , including the regulation allowing relevant officials with authority to enforce the coronavirus regulations.The compromise of allowing most emergency powers to continue , while stripping out the special coronavirus-era ability for police to search people 's home without a warrant , came as the committee agreed to drop that authority from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be passed .

The Knesset approved in second and third reading on Tuesday night the novel coronavirus-era emergency powers bill, the emergency powers will come into effect on Wednesday at 6 a.m. There were ten MKs present during the readings, Army radio reported on Tuesday night.A decision was made to extend most of the corona-era emergency powers granted to the state for an additional 45 days pending ongoing consideration of a new bill to permanently set the balance between civil liberties and coronavirus-related enforcement powers.The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee made a few amendments to the bill before it was submitted to the Knesset.
The committee decided to cancel the rule regarding prison sentences required by law for violating coronavirus regulations, such as not wearing a mask or violating quarantine regulations.
Additionally, it was agreed to put an end to the special authority given to police during the coronavirus-era allowing them to search citizens' homes with a warrant to check if they quarantining as required.
The committee made a request regarding the authority of police to disband gatherings, such as protests. Disbanding will only be allowed if there is no interference with holding a protest that adheres to public health orders.
However, despite having reached agreement days ago on stripping that power from the forward-looking bill, there was intense disagreement about stripping that power effective immediately.
Further amendments were also added to the bill, including the regulation allowing relevant officials with authority to enforce the coronavirus regulations.The compromise of allowing most emergency powers to continue, while stripping out the special coronavirus-era ability for police to search people's home without a warrant, came as the committee agreed to drop that authority from the law, which is expected to eventually be passed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--UAE, Israel can cooperate despite political differences - senior official

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The United Arab Emirates can work with Israel on some areas, including fighting the new coronavirus and on technology, while still having political differences with the state, the minister of state for foreign affairs said on Tuesday.Addressing a conference of the American Jewish Committee, a leading Jewish advocacy group, Anwar Gargash said communication with Israel is important and will yield better results than other routes taken in the past.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--US thinks any extension of Iran arms embargo should be open-ended

The United States believes an extension of an arms embargo on Iran , currently due to expire in October under @ @ @ @ @ should be done so indefinitely without a fixed date , a top US official overseeing @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .

The United States believes an extension of an arms embargo on Iran, currently due to expire in October under a 2015 nuclear deal, should be done so indefinitely without a fixed date, a top US official overseeing diplomacy with Tehran said on Tuesday.
"We think the right policy is to have an arms embargo in place that doesn't have a definite date fixed," Brian Hook, US Special Envoy for Iran told a virtual event organized by think-tank Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Man shot, severely injured in northern Israel

A 20-year-old in severe condition was evacuated from the scene of a shooting in Kfar Yasif , in northern Israel @ @ @ @ @ Center in Nahariya .
Police are currently conducting a search for the shooter and an @ @ @ @ @

A 20-year-old in severe condition was evacuated from the scene of a shooting in Kfar Yasif, in northern Israel, to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya.
Police are currently conducting a search for the shooter and an investigation has been opened.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Nahariya school set to close, students and staff enter quarantine

Shahkim, a school in Nahariyah, will close starting Wednesday, and all staff and students have been ordered to enter quarantine after one student tested positive for coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Rabbi Baruch Gazahi resigns from Shas list

Rabbi Baruch Gazahi , who was set to enter the Knesset thanks to the Expanded Norwegian Law that passed on Monday night , was forced to resign from the Shas list on Tuesday after it was revealed he said in a Torah class four years ago that women miscarry and get breast cancer due to immodesty .
“ A woman who was used to revealing her upper parts usually is reincarnated as a cow , whose upper parts are exposed , ” Gazahi said in the class .
“ That is why women have to be covered up there .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer from breast cancer , because everyone looks at them and it causes the evil eye .
It is also one of the reasons why women , God forbid , have miscarriages .
They post pictures of themselves on Facebook showing their exposed bellies.
” “ There is no such thing as a handsome Arab , ” Gazahi said in a separate class , and he called Queen Elizabeth II “ an impure gentile.
” Shas leader Arye Deri said he spoke to Gazahi , who told him his words were part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of context .
Deri said he told Gazahi his words were unacceptable and do not represent Shas .
The law will enable five ministers or deputy ministers in Blue and White , three in Shas and two in other coalition parties to quit the Knesset and be replaced by the next candidates on their party ’ s list .
The ministers and deputies could return to the Knesset if they quit their posts .
Blue and White desperately wanted to pass the bill because 12 of its 15 MKs are ministers , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do parliamentary work in the Knesset .
None of the ministers or deputies quit on Tuesday , but they are expected to start resigning on Wednesday .
New MKs in factions that have split would have 24 hours to decide which one to join after a minister quits .
The bill could allow candidates of Yesh Atid and Telem , which are in the opposition , to instead join Blue and White in the coalition .
The next names on the united Blue and White list are former Yesh Atid MK Yorai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Einav Kabala , moderate religious-Zionist activist Tehila Friedman and Hilay Shay Vazan .
Wunsh received her law degree from McGill University in Montreal .
She is a research fellow at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism at IDC Herzliya and is a member of the legal team advising the Goldin family ’ s efforts to bring about the return of deceased soldier Hadar Goldin and his comrade Oron Shaul .
Kabala is a lawyer from Ashkelon who served as Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn ’ s chief of staff when he headed the Histradrut labor federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Diaspora Affairs Ministry and has served as the Israeli representative of Jewish Federations in New Jersey .
She is a former chairwoman of Ne ’ emanei Torah Va ’ avoda , a moderate religious-Zionist organization .
Friedman said her first bill would be aimed at helping those who are prohibited from marrying in Israel for religious reasons .
“ Whatever I do , the feminist perspective is part of it , ” she said .
“ Obviously it will be a major issue I deal with .
Most of the issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do with women.
” By contrast , Shay Vazan is a men ’ s rights advocate who wants to end affirmative action for women .
She is a former city councilwoman of Modi ’ in-Maccabim-Reut .
In Likud , former MKs Ariel Kallner and Osnat Mark are set to return to the Knesset .
In United Torah Judaism , former MK Yitzhak Pindrus will return .
Three Shas deputy ministers were expected to quit in favor of the next names on the party ’ s list : Uriel Busso , French immigrant Rabbi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Ethiopian immigrant .
But after Gazahi ’ s resignation , it was unclear whether two or three Shas deputies would quit .
Debates on the bill stretched on for more than four hours on Monday as opposition MKs filibustered .
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the bill proved that all the party cared about was more political patronage positions .
He said Blue and White should be ashamed .
“ The captains of the Titanic are playing pickup sticks an hour before the ship is set to hit the iceberg , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our duo of two prime ministers are dealing with this nonsense instead of ensuring that there could be more coronavirus testing.
” But UTJ MK Yakov Asher , chairman of the Knesset Law , Constitution and Justice Committee , which legislated the bill , said he was sure the bill would make the Knesset function better and bring in terrific new MKs who will serve the public well .

Rabbi Baruch Gazahi, who was set to enter the Knesset thanks to the Expanded Norwegian Law that passed on Monday night, was forced to resign from the Shas list on Tuesday after it was revealed he said in a Torah class four years ago that women miscarry and get breast cancer due to immodesty.
“A woman who was used to revealing her upper parts usually is reincarnated as a cow, whose upper parts are exposed,” Gazahi said in the class. “That is why women have to be covered up there. This is one of the reasons women suffer from breast cancer, because everyone looks at them and it causes the evil eye. It is also one of the reasons why women, God forbid, have miscarriages. They post pictures of themselves on Facebook showing their exposed bellies.”
“There is no such thing as a handsome Arab,” Gazahi said in a separate class, and he called Queen Elizabeth II “an impure gentile.”
Shas leader Arye Deri said he spoke to Gazahi, who told him his words were part of a two-hour lecture and were taken out of context. Deri said he told Gazahi his words were unacceptable and do not represent Shas.
Blue and White scored a political victory Monday night when it succeeded in passing the Expanded Norwegian Law into law in the Knesset plenum by a vote of 63-23. Party officials were angry that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not participate in the vote.
The law will enable five ministers or deputy ministers in Blue and White, three in Shas and two in other coalition parties to quit the Knesset and be replaced by the next candidates on their party’s list. The ministers and deputies could return to the Knesset if they quit their posts. Blue and White desperately wanted to pass the bill because 12 of its 15 MKs are ministers, and the party has not had enough MKs to do parliamentary work in the Knesset.
None of the ministers or deputies quit on Tuesday, but they are expected to start resigning on Wednesday.
New MKs in factions that have split would have 24 hours to decide which one to join after a minister quits. The bill could allow candidates of Yesh Atid and Telem, which are in the opposition, to instead join Blue and White in the coalition.
The next names on the united Blue and White list are former Yesh Atid MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzano, attorney Michal Cotler Wunsh, Einav Kabala, moderate religious-Zionist activist Tehila Friedman and Hilay Shay Vazan.
Wunsh received her law degree from McGill University in Montreal. She is a research fellow at the Institute for Counter-Terrorism at IDC Herzliya and is a member of the legal team advising the Goldin family’s efforts to bring about the return of deceased soldier Hadar Goldin and his comrade Oron Shaul.
Kabala is a lawyer from Ashkelon who served as Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn’s chief of staff when he headed the Histradrut labor federation.
Friedman worked under then-minister Natan Sharansky at the Diaspora Affairs Ministry and has served as the Israeli representative of Jewish Federations in New Jersey. She is a former chairwoman of Ne’emanei Torah Va’avoda, a moderate religious-Zionist organization.
Friedman said her first bill would be aimed at helping those who are prohibited from marrying in Israel for religious reasons.
“Whatever I do, the feminist perspective is part of it,” she said. “Obviously it will be a major issue I deal with. Most of the issues of religion and state today have to do with women.”
By contrast, Shay Vazan is a men’s rights advocate who wants to end affirmative action for women. She is a former city councilwoman of Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut.
In Likud, former MKs Ariel Kallner and Osnat Mark are set to return to the Knesset. In United Torah Judaism, former MK Yitzhak Pindrus will return.
Three Shas deputy ministers were expected to quit in favor of the next names on the party’s list: Uriel Busso, French immigrant Rabbi Yossi Taieb and Gazahi, who is an Ethiopian immigrant. But after Gazahi’s resignation, it was unclear whether two or three Shas deputies would quit.
Debates on the bill stretched on for more than four hours on Monday as opposition MKs filibustered.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said the bill proved that all the party cared about was more political patronage positions. He said Blue and White should be ashamed.
“The captains of the Titanic are playing pickup sticks an hour before the ship is set to hit the iceberg,” Yamina leader Naftali Bennett said. “Our duo of two prime ministers are dealing with this nonsense instead of ensuring that there could be more coronavirus testing.”
But UTJ MK Yakov Asher, chairman of the Knesset Law, Constitution and Justice Committee, which legislated the bill, said he was sure the bill would make the Knesset function better and bring in terrific new MKs who will serve the public well.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--US urges North Korea to 'refrain from further counterproductive actions'

The United States responded to North Korea 's blowing up of a joint liaison office with South Korea on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ Seoul 's efforts on inter-Korean relations and urging Pyongyang to `` refrain from further counterproductive @ @ @ @ @ blew up a building set up in 2018 in a border town as a joint @ @ @ @ @ ties with South Korea after threatening action if North Korean defectors went ahead with a @ @ @ @ @ The United States fully supports the ROK ’ s efforts on inter-Korean relations and urges @ @ @ @ @ further counterproductive actions , '' a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said , using @ @ @ @ @ two Koreas .

The United States responded to North Korea's blowing up of a joint liaison office with South Korea on Tuesday by saying it fully supports Seoul's efforts on inter-Korean relations and urging Pyongyang to "refrain from further counterproductive actions."
North Korea blew up a building set up in 2018 in a border town as a joint liaison office to foster better ties with South Korea after threatening action if North Korean defectors went ahead with a propaganda leaflet campaign.
"The United States fully supports the ROK’s efforts on inter-Korean relations and urges the DPRK to refrain from further counterproductive actions," a spokesman for the U.S. State Department said, using the official acronyms for the two Koreas.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Rambam Hospital staff enter quarantine after treating ambulance patient

Some 26 staff members from the Rambam Hospital in Haifa entered quarantine after treating a woman who arrived for urgent @ @ @ @ @ , Ynet reports .
The woman was brought to the hospital in an ambulance with @ @ @ @ @ She was then treated in the hospital 's trauma center in addition to undergoing diagnostic @ @ @ @ @ in her being brought in for surgery .
Seven doctors , 11 nurses and 8 @ @ @ @ @ following her treatment .

Some 26 staff members from the Rambam Hospital in Haifa entered quarantine after treating a woman who arrived for urgent medical care and needed surgery, Ynet reports.
The woman was brought to the hospital in an ambulance with an urgent medical problem. She was then treated in the hospital's trauma center in addition to undergoing diagnostic imaging procedures, which resulted in her being brought in for surgery.
Seven doctors, 11 nurses and 8 technicians had to enter quarantine following her treatment.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Coronavirus in Israel's schools: 627 sick students, teachers

Israel does not have the capabilities required to stop the spike in coronavirus cases and could be forced back into lockdown, according to Weizmann Institute of Science Prof. Eli Waxman. He headed the panel of experts advising the National Security Council during the first wave of COVID-19.“There are no miracles here,” Waxman said Tuesday. “There is a reasonable chance we’ll have to reinstate the closures because the Health Ministry is not doing what it needs to do.”Speaking with The Jerusalem Post on a day that 258 more people were infected with the novel coronavirus and the number of serious patients increased by four, including four more who are intubated, he said the public should take note that while the number of serious people in intensive-care units is low, “it is the fraction we would expect. For every 400 new people, we expect two or three new ICU patients with a delay of about a week, and this is what we see. The numbers are not surprising.”On Tuesday, the Health Ministry reported that 14,371 people were screened for coronavirus, making the country’s infection rate for the day around 1.8%. The rate on Monday was close to 2%. Health experts believe that if the infection rate surpasses 1% for too long, there is a likelihood that the health system could be overwhelmed.“We see a direct correlation between the opening of the economy and the rise in morbidity,” Prof. Sigal Sadetsky said Tuesday at the Knesset. “There are significant increases in the number of cases found throughout the country, with an emphasis on children.“There is an increase in morbidity in 57 localities, and this is not a given that can be ignored. An increase in asymptomatic tests does not account for the increase, because the percentage of people who tested positive is on the rise, while the increase in tests should have lowered it. “The geographic spread of the virus in Israel could be called a “second wave,” she said.Eleven employees at Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv reportedly were diagnosed with the virus on Monday. At least five residents and staff members at a senior living facility for Holocaust survivors in Pardesiya tested positive.Meuhedet Health Maintenance Organization’s director-general entered quarantine after it was discovered that she had been in contact with a coronavirus patient a few days ago.According to the Health Ministry, 690 medical staff throughout Israel are in quarantine. Also, some 627 students and faculty are infected, the Education Ministry said. Some 168 schools are closed, and there are 21,807 students and staff in isolation.Moreover, a report by the Health Ministry shows that the virus is spreading throughout the country, including in Arab and haredi (ultra-Orthodox) cities, which had among the highest per capita rates of infection during the first coronavirus peak.The Health Ministry recommended that the number of coronavirus tests in Netivot, Ofakim and Sderot be increased because the three neighboring cities have experienced a spike in coronavirus cases in recent weeks.“Bnei Brak is back on the map, there is mass infection [among] foreign immigrants [in southern Tel Aviv], the virus is all over Israel; I am not sure what is scarier,” Prof. Gabi Barbash, a former director-general of the Health Ministry, told the Post.Waxman said the only way to stop the spread now is to implement fast contact tracing to enable the Health Ministry to cut off the infection chain, “but that is not operative.”Israel needs a real-time database to provide intelligence and data so the experts can make educated decisions about what is going on with the virus, he said. In addition, a manager is essential for overseeing all aspects of the battle from logistics to communication with the police, IDF and the public, he added.“The Health Ministry resists any of these changes, so what we are left with is what we had in March,” Waxman said.Cyrille Cohen, the head of Bar-Ilan University’s immunotherapy lab, expressed similar sentiments.“People don’t fear it is going to happen to them,” he said.Cohen called on the government to do a better job of enforcing the Health Ministry’s three principle regulations: wearing a protective mask, social distancing and personal hygiene.“People are not aware of the danger, or maybe they are fed up with all these rules and the fact that we were isolated and could not celebrate Passover or Independence Day,” he told the Post. But studies show that wearing masks can reduce the rate of infection by as much as 85%, so the government should make people do it, he said.Sourasky Medical Center staff members have broken social-distancing rules more than once, including a few days ago when more than 20 people were present in the same room for a goodbye party and were not wearing masks for a noticeable period of time, according to sources at the hospital, Ynet reported.Shortly after the goodbye party, one of the doctors who was present was informed that his wife and daughter had been infected with coronavirus; he was later found to also have the virus. Those present at the party entered quarantine.While one cannot predict the future, Cohen said, logically, if only around 2% of the population was thus far exposed to the virus – as preliminary antibody testing results have shown – and if the hot weather has little impact on transmission, there is little reason to believe that anything has changed.“I don’t want to sound too dramatic, but we already see a rise in critical patients,” he said.The coronavirus cabinet is expected to meet Wednesday evening to discuss the situation. Health Ministry officials are reportedly planning to ask to put a halt to opening up any more of the country, while politicians are likely going to push to allow cultural events and institutions to resume operation.Cabinet members have committed not to go backward and to continue with the country’s policy of designating red zones. Currently there are four: southern Tel Aviv, Rahat, Hura and Arara. At the meeting, the cabinet is expected to decide on Ashdod, Baka al-Gharbiya, Bnei Brak, Elad and Netivot.Hospital administrators have said the government needs to better prepare for the winter, when at least 2,000 people are expected to be ventilated due to seasonal flu.“The public must be vaccinated against influenza,” Likud MK Haim Katz said Tuesday at the Knesset. “Mixing influenza and coronavirus could create economic chaos across the country.”Hospital health professionals have said they could handle about another 1,000 intubated coronavirus patients. After that, the hospitals would need more ventilators, more doctors, more nurses and an increased budget.Barbash said he believes one of the reasons the infection rate has moved slightly slower than in the initial phase of the coronavirus is because some of the public still is behaving carefully, some stores are enforcing the rules, and some workplaces are taking precautions. Many of the current patients are younger right now and are less likely to develop serious symptoms, he said.Waxman agreed that the spike is slightly slower this time around, so we might have a little more time. Still, he stressed, “We have to take some action and reverse this trend.”Tzvi Joffre contributed to this report.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Coronavirus: 258 new patients in one day, four more serious cases


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Acre school closes due to coronavirus, students and staff in quarantine

A school in Acre , called Tomer , was closed and all students and staff have been ordered to go @ @ @ @ @ investigation carried out by the Health Ministry .
The school will remain closed until June @ @

A school in Acre, called Tomer, was closed and all students and staff have been ordered to go into quarantine following an epidemiological investigation carried out by the Health Ministry.
The school will remain closed until June 25.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Coronavirus Cabinet to meet over spike in morbidity

The Coronavirus Cabinet will meet on Wednesday following an increase in the morbidity rate of COVID-19 in Israel, Channel 13 reported.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits off the coast of Eilat

The earthquake occurred south of the Gulf of Aqaba , 222 km ( 137.94 mi ) off the coast of @ @

The earthquake occurred south of the Gulf of Aqaba, 222 km (137.94 mi) off the coast of Eilat.
An earthquake with a 5.2 magnitude occurred in the Red Sea on Tuesday evening, according to the Seismilogical Institute.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Britain warns at UN rights forum against security law for Hong Kong

Britain returned the Asian financial hub to Chinese rule in 1997 with the guarantee of freedoms , such as an independent judiciary and right to protest , for 50 years .
`` The imposition of the proposed law lies in direct conflict with China ’ s international obligations under the Joint Declaration , a treaty agreed by the UK and China and registered with the United Nations , '' Julian Braithwaite , Britain 's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva , told its Human Rights Council .
He urged China to engage with the territory ’ s people , institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong ’ s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms . ''
Jiang Duan , human rights minister at China 's Geneva mission , took the floor to say that Braithwaite had `` interfered in China 's internal affairs which we firmly reject . ''
`` China 's enactment of laws in the Hong Kong special adminstrative region to safeguard national security is aimed at plugging loopholes ... and effectively safeguarding national sovereignty and security , '' he said .
`` This is legitimate , legal and imperative . ''
Pang @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea 's mission , voiced concern at `` certain countries ' attempt to use Hong Kong-related issues to interfere in China ’ s domestic affairs . ''
Hong Kong is `` an inseparable part '' of where China 's sovereignty is exercised and its constitution is applied , he said .
Hong Kong 's national security legislation would not punish people retroactively , a senior Chinese official said on Monday , touching on a key question raised by local residents , diplomats and foreign investors over the disputed measure .
Beijing last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong in a bid to tackle secession , subversion and foreign interference in the financial hub .
Hong Kong was rocked by months of sometimes violent anti-China , pro-democracy unrest last year , with protesters angry at what they see as meddling by Communist Party rulers in Beijing in Hong Kong 's affairs .
China denies interfering and accuses Britain and the United States of fomenting the unrest .

Britain returned the Asian financial hub to Chinese rule in 1997 with the guarantee of freedoms, such as an independent judiciary and right to protest, for 50 years.
"The imposition of the proposed law lies in direct conflict with China’s international obligations under the Joint Declaration, a treaty agreed by the UK and China and registered with the United Nations," Julian Braithwaite, Britain's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, told its Human Rights Council.
He urged China to engage with the territory’s people, institutions and judiciary to "ensure it maintains Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms."
Jiang Duan, human rights minister at China's Geneva mission, took the floor to say that Braithwaite had "interfered in China's internal affairs which we firmly reject."
"China's enactment of laws in the Hong Kong special adminstrative region to safeguard national security is aimed at plugging loopholes...and effectively safeguarding national sovereignty and security," he said. "This is legitimate, legal and imperative."
Pang Kwang Hyok, deputy ambassador at North Korea's mission, voiced concern at "certain countries' attempt to use Hong Kong-related issues to interfere in China’s domestic affairs." Hong Kong is "an inseparable part" of where China's sovereignty is exercised and its constitution is applied, he said.
Hong Kong's national security legislation would not punish people retroactively, a senior Chinese official said on Monday, touching on a key question raised by local residents, diplomats and foreign investors over the disputed measure.
Beijing last month moved to directly impose the legislation on Hong Kong in a bid to tackle secession, subversion and foreign interference in the financial hub.
Hong Kong was rocked by months of sometimes violent anti-China, pro-democracy unrest last year, with protesters angry at what they see as meddling by Communist Party rulers in Beijing in Hong Kong's affairs.
China denies interfering and accuses Britain and the United States of fomenting the unrest.
Britain said on Tuesday that China's plan to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong would undermine the autonomy and freedoms of the former British colony.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--China military demands India stop all provocations, return to dialog

China 's foreign ministry confirmed there had been a `` violent physical confrontation '' on Monday in the border area .
It made no mention of casualties but India 's foreign ministry said there had been casualties on both sides .
An Indian government source said the troops had fought with iron rods and stones , and that no shots had been fired .
The deaths were the first since the last major border clash in 1967 between the nuclear-armed neighbors - also the world 's two most populous countries - which have been unable to settle the dispute along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have traded accusations over who was to blame for Monday 's clashes in the snow deserts of Ladakh , which came after military commanders held meetings to resolve the situation .
Since early May , hundreds of soldiers have fronted up against each other at three locations , each side accusing the other of trespassing .
On Monday night , a group of soldiers came to blows in the Galwan Valley , the Indian army said in a statement , adding that the two sides had now disengaged .
`` They attacked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grievously injured and fell , and when that happened , more soldiers swarmed to the area and attacked with stones , '' said the source , who had been briefed on the matter .
The Chinese side brought in reinforcements and the brawl went on for a couple of hours , the source said .
`` Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side , '' Indian foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said in a statement .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a serious violation of a consensus reached by the two countries .
`` What 's shocking is that on June 15 , the Indian side severely violated our consensus and twice crossed the border line and provoked and attacked the Chinese forces , causing a violent physical confrontation between the two border forces , '' Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing .
India and China fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962 and distrust has occasionally led to flare-ups ever since .
Border guards have had skirmishes and fist fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there has been no loss of life from clashes at the border since 1967 .
`` This is extremely , extremely serious , this is going to vitiate whatever dialog was going on , '' former Indian army commander D. S. Hooda said .
Military experts say one reason for the face-off is that India has been building roads and airfields to improve connectivity and narrow the gap with China 's far superior infrastructure .
At Galwan , India completed a road leading to an airfield last October .
China has asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it is operating on its side of the Line of Actual Control , the de facto border .

India's army said on Tuesday 20 of its soldiers had been killed in clashes with Chinese troops at a disputed border site, in a major escalation of a weeks-long standoff between the two Asian giants in the western Himalayas.
China's foreign ministry confirmed there had been a "violent physical confrontation" on Monday in the border area. It made no mention of casualties but India's foreign ministry said there had been casualties on both sides.
An Indian government source said the troops had fought with iron rods and stones, and that no shots had been fired.
The deaths were the first since the last major border clash in 1967 between the nuclear-armed neighbors - also the world's two most populous countries - which have been unable to settle the dispute along their lengthy frontier.
China and India have traded accusations over who was to blame for Monday's clashes in the snow deserts of Ladakh, which came after military commanders held meetings to resolve the situation.
Since early May, hundreds of soldiers have fronted up against each other at three locations, each side accusing the other of trespassing.
On Monday night, a group of soldiers came to blows in the Galwan Valley, the Indian army said in a statement, adding that the two sides had now disengaged.
The two sides had been discussing ways to de-escalate but at some point, an Indian government source said, China's People's Liberation Army had turned on a group of Indian soldiers that included an officer.
"They attacked with iron rods, the commanding officer was grievously injured and fell, and when that happened, more soldiers swarmed to the area and attacked with stones," said the source, who had been briefed on the matter.
The Chinese side brought in reinforcements and the brawl went on for a couple of hours, the source said.
"Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side," Indian foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said in a statement.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said there had been a serious violation of a consensus reached by the two countries.
"What's shocking is that on June 15, the Indian side severely violated our consensus and twice crossed the border line and provoked and attacked the Chinese forces, causing a violent physical confrontation between the two border forces," Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing.
'EXTREMELY SERIOUS'
India and China fought a brief but bloody border war in 1962 and distrust has occasionally led to flare-ups ever since.
Border guards have had skirmishes and fist fights when patrols have confronted each other, but there has been no loss of life from clashes at the border since 1967.
"This is extremely, extremely serious, this is going to vitiate whatever dialog was going on," former Indian army commander D. S. Hooda said.
Military experts say one reason for the face-off is that India has been building roads and airfields to improve connectivity and narrow the gap with China's far superior infrastructure.
At Galwan, India completed a road leading to an airfield last October. China has asked India to stop all construction.
India says it is operating on its side of the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border.


jerusalempost--2020-06-16--Knesset to vote on public transport running on Shabbat

The Knesset is set to vote on Wednesday on a bill proposing that Israel allow public transport to run on Shabbat.The bill, proposed by Meretz MK Tamar Zanberg, was one of Blue and White's central campaign promises. Recently, Blue and White MKs received over 30,000 emails from the public, demanding support for the bill proposal that was promised."I'm calling on the MKs to listen to their conscience and to bring an end to the curfew on the day of rest," Zandberg said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Head of IDF Southern Command enters quarantine

Trains will finally return to Israel’s railways on Monday after the coronavirus cabinet approved the renewal of services under tight health restrictions on Wednesday evening.In addition, the ministers decided that cultural events will be permitted with crowds limited to 250 attendees, or 500 attendees if approved by the director-general of the Culture and Sport Ministry. They designated the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa, Rahat and Arara as “red zones” with high levels of infection, where schools will now be closed and gatherings limited to 10 people.The meeting held at the Foreign Ministry took place as official data showed that Israel had recorded its largest number of daily cases in two months.Some 288 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday evening, bringing the total number of active cases to 3,993.At last count, 19,783 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in Israel, and the death toll was 302.“We have an increase in morbidity. We need to lower it, and we have to continue opening the economy,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting. “We will talk today about a responsible way to do that in the case of transportation too. But we must address the general increase and in specific centers of morbidity.”Initially, trains will be limited to 500 passengers and would-be travelers must reserve a place online from 48 hours ahead of their journey. Masks must be worn at all times, and the temperature of travelers will be checked upon entry to stations.Nighttime trains will not operate at this stage, and trains between Tel Aviv Hahagana and Jerusalem will not stop at Ben-Gurion Airport. Electrification work may cause disruption on other lines, and the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem line will be extended to Tel Aviv Savidor in the “coming weeks,” Israel Railways said.The reopening of cultural events follows weeks of protests, with industry workers demanding assistance as they have been forced to remain closed for more than two months.Although the current increase in coronavirus cases appears to be more gradual than the first wave, Israel has seen a rise in the number of serious patients over the past week. There are currently 36 patients in serious condition, including 29 who are intubated.Prof. Eli Waxman, who headed the panel of experts advising the National Security Council during the first wave of COVID-19, told The Jerusalem Post that while the number of serious people in intensive-care units is low, “it is the fraction we would expect.”“For every 400 new people, we expect two or three new ICU patients with a delay of about a week, and this is what we see,” he said. “The numbers are not surprising.”On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported that a patient who had been traveling on an Israir rescue flight from Belgrade to Israel tested positive for coronavirus. The flight took place on June 11, and all people who were in contact with the traveler have been notified.OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi entered quarantine on Wednesday after he was present at an operational meeting last week in which a representative of the Defense Ministry who was infected with coronavirus participated.OC Gaza Division Brig.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano and OC 80th Division Brig.-Gen. Gur Schriebmann, who also were at the meeting, entered quarantine as well.At the same time, the Education Ministry reported that there were 654 students and faculty members sick with the virus and 23,442 in isolation. Moreover, 177 schools are currently closed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 8.21 million, death toll at 443,402

More than 8.21 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 443,402 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--2020-06-17--Moscow urges US to help reach Libya ceasefire

Since 2014 , Libya has been split , with the internationally recognized government controlling the capital , Tripoli , and @ @ @ @ @ leader Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi rules the east .

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow would welcome efforts by Washington to use its influence to help reach a ceasefire in Libya, the RIA news agency reported.
Since 2014, Libya has been split, with the internationally recognized government controlling the capital, Tripoli, and the northwest, while military leader Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi rules the east.
While Washington has said it opposes Haftar's offensive, it has not thrown its support behind the government.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Indonesia reports 1,031 new coronavirus infections

Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said 45 more deaths were reported on Wednesday , taking the total number of fatalities @ @ @ @ @ the highest coronavirus death toll in East Asia outside of China .

Indonesia reported 1,031 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday taking the total to 41,431 and overtaking Singapore with the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia.
Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said 45 more deaths were reported on Wednesday, taking the total number of fatalities to 2,276. Indonesia has the highest coronavirus death toll in East Asia outside of China.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--US scrambles jets to escort Russian nuclear-capable bombers near border

The United States scrambled fighter jets to escort four Russian nuclear-capable Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers as they carried out a planned flight near the US border, the RIA news agency cited the Russian Defence Ministry as saying.The Russian aircraft carried out an 11-hour flight over neutral waters of the Chukotsk, Bering and Okhotsk Seas as well as the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, the ministry was quoted as saying on Wednesday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Russia says new coronavirus cases at lowest since April 30

Russia on Wednesday reported 7,843 new cases of the novel coronavirus, its lowest daily caseload registered since April 30, pushing the nationwide total to 553,301.Russia's virus response team said 194 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 7,478 since the crisis began.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Suleiman el-Abid released from prison 27 years after Kikos murder

While Abid had confessed to the crime , he later claimed that he was innocent .
Kikos 's parents have @ @ @ @ @ 's guilt .
Hanit Kikos , 17 , of Ofakim , was hitching a ride @ @ @ @ @ birthday party in nearby Beersheba when she was allegedly accosted by Abid , a tractor @ @ @ @ @ said Abid , who confessed to the crime , raped , killed and then buried @ @ @ @ @ s Dudaim garbage dump , where he worked .

While Abid had confessed to the crime, he later claimed that he was innocent. Kikos's parents have also cast doubts on Abid's guilt.
Hanit Kikos, 17, of Ofakim, was hitching a ride to a friend’s birthday party in nearby Beersheba when she was allegedly accosted by Abid, a tractor driver from Rahat.
Police said Abid, who confessed to the crime, raped, killed and then buried Kikos at the Negev’s Dudaim garbage dump, where he worked.
JTA contributed to this report.
Suleiman el-Abid, convicted of the murder of Hanit Kikos, was released from prison on Wednesday 27 years after he was jailed in 1993.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--'Best news so far': UK hails steroid treatment for coronavirus

Trial results announced on Tuesday showed dexamethasone , which is used to reduce inflammation in other diseases such as arthritis @ @ @ @ @ around a third among the most severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital .
`` @ @ @ @ @ of survival quite significantly , '' Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News .
`` @ @ @ @ @ best pieces of news we 've had through this whole crisis . ''

Britain's health minister on Wednesday hailed the use of a steroid called dexamethasone for treating coronavirus patients as the best news so far from the outbreak.
Trial results announced on Tuesday showed dexamethasone, which is used to reduce inflammation in other diseases such as arthritis, reduced death rates by around a third among the most severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital.
"It does increase your chances of survival quite significantly," Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News. "It is one of the best pieces of news we've had through this whole crisis."
He said that the R-rate was below 1 in all regions but did not clarify if he was speaking about England or the entire United Kingdom.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Incoming head of IDF Central Command enters quarantine

A number of senior officers entered quarantine , as well .

A number of senior officers entered quarantine, as well.
The incoming commander of the IDF's Central Command, Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, entered quarantine on Wednesday after it was discovered that he had been in contact with a soldier who was infected with the coronavirus.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Coronavirus: Death toll rises to 303, 29 people are intubated

One person died overnight Tuesday , bringing the country ’ s death toll to 303 .
Although this peak of @ @ @ @ @ than the previous one , Israel has seen an increase in the number of serious @ @ @ @ @ .
There are currently some 37 patients in serious condition , including 26 who are @ @ @ @ @ , who headed the panel of experts advising the National Security Council during the first @ @ @ @ @ The Jerusalem Post that while the number of serious people in intensive-care units is low @ @ @ @ @ fraction we would expect .
For every 400 new people , we expect two or @ @ @ @ @ a delay of about a week , and this is what we see .
The @ @ @ @ @ *No report was disseminated on June 5 .
On Wednesday , the Education Ministry reported @ @ @ @ @ and faculty members sick with the virus and 22,738 in isolation .
Moreover , 177 @ @ @ @


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Thailand reports no new coronavirus cases or deaths

The country has recorded a total 58 deaths related to COVID-19 among 3,135 confirmed cases , of which 2,996 patients @ @ @ @ @ Wisanuyothin , a spokesman for the government 's COVID-19 Administration Centre .

Thailand on Wednesday reported no new coronavirus infections or deaths, marking 23 successive days without a domestic transmission.
The country has recorded a total 58 deaths related to COVID-19 among 3,135 confirmed cases, of which 2,996 patients have recovered, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's COVID-19 Administration Centre.
Wednesday is the third consecutive day that no cases were reported. All recent cases have been found among Thais in quarantine after returning from abroad.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 8.18 million, death toll at 440,954

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More than 8.18 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 440,954 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--2020-06-17--Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 345 to 187,184

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 345 to 187,184, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.The reported death toll rose by 30 to 8,830, the tally showed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Australia: Restrictions on int'l borders not expected to be lifted soon

Australia trade minister said on Wednesday that the restrictions put on the international borders will probably last for some time to come, Reuters reported.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Second man charged with torching Minneapolis police station

A 22-year-old Minnesota man was charged on Tuesday with aiding and abetting the arson of a Minneapolis police station during protests over the death of a black man under a policeman's knee, federal prosecutors said.Dylan Robinson, who was arrested in Breckenridge, Colorado on Sunday, is accused of hurling a Molotov cocktail inside the Third Precinct police station in Minneapolis and igniting a fire in the building's stairwell on May 28, according to the criminal complaint.Robinson is the second man arrested June 3 in connection to the blaze. Branden Wolfe, 23, was arrested in Minnesota and charged with one count of aiding and abetting arson, federal prosecutors said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--NZ military to oversee quarantine facilities after new COVID-19 case

New Zealand on Wednesday said the defense force will now oversee the country's quarantine facilities and strengthen border requirements, after a slip up allowed two people with coronavirus to move around the country.New Zealand on Tuesday lost its COVID-free status when two women who had been given permission to leave quarantine early on compassionate grounds after arriving from Britain tested positive for the coronavirus.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was appointing the Assistant Chief of Defence, Air Commodore Digby Webb, to oversee all quarantine and to manage isolation facilities, including the processes of exiting people from these facilities.Ardern said Webb can seek access to military logistics, its operational expertise and, if needed, personnel, for running of the quarantine facilities.She added that an audit would be done to make sure all processes in place are followed and any changes needed can be made to further strengthen the border facilities."I cannot allow the gains we have all made to be squandered by processes that are not followed," Ardern said at a news conference in parliament.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--S.Korea says will no longer accept unreasonable behavior by North Korea

South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Wednesday that recent North Korean criticism of President Moon Jae-in was senseless and that it will no longer accept unreasonable behavior by the North.The Blue House comments came a day after North Korea blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border.Blue House spokesman Yoon Do-han said criticism of Moon by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, was a very rude and senseless act that fundamentally damaged the trust built by the two leaders.The Blue House is called that due to its pavilion which is composed of blue tiles.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Beijing city reports 31 new coronavirus cases vs 27 a day earlier

Beijing's city government reported 31 new confirmed coronavirus cases as of end-June 16, up from 27 cases reported a day earlier as the city moves to curb the spread of the disease.The city's health authority said in a statement posted on its Weibo social media account that 19 of the new cases were reported in southwestern Fengtai district, where a cluster of infections emerged last week.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Peru overtakes Italy in total cases of coronavirus

Peru topped 240,000 total cases of coronavirus on Wednesday , surpassing hard-hit Italy , government data showed , even as @ @ @ @ @ begun to moderate in the South American nation .
Peru moved quickly to lock down @ @ @ @ @ took hold in early March .
But cases nonetheless exploded in May , reaching a @ @ @ @ @ per day late in the month .
More than 7,000 Peruvians have died from the @ @ @ @ @ .
Peru has the second highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Latin America @ @ @ @ @ the seventh highest globally .

Peru topped 240,000 total cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, surpassing hard-hit Italy, government data showed, even as the pace of infections has begun to moderate in the South American nation.
Peru moved quickly to lock down its citizens as the pandemic took hold in early March. But cases nonetheless exploded in May, reaching a peak of more than 8,000 per day late in the month. More than 7,000 Peruvians have died from the disease, the government reported.
Peru has the second highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Latin America, behind Brazil, and the seventh highest globally.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--20-year-old man shot severely injured in shooting in northern Israel

A 20-year-old man was severely injured in a shooting incident that took place near the Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye @ @ @ @ @ early hours of Thursday morning .
Magen David Adom staff gave him medical treatment on @ @ @ @ @ man , who was unconscious , to the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera .

A 20-year-old man was severely injured in a shooting incident that took place near the Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye in northern Israel during the early hours of Thursday morning.
Magen David Adom staff gave him medical treatment on the scene before transporting the man, who was unconscious, to the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Trump signs bill calling for sanctions over China treatment of Muslims

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday calling for sanctions over the repression of China's Uighur Muslims, as excerpts from a book by his former national security adviser alleged he had approved of their mass detention.The bill, which Congress passed with only one "no" vote, was intended to send China a strong message on human rights by mandating sanctions against those responsible for oppression of members of China's Muslim minority.The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps in the Xinjiang region. The U.S. State Department has accused Chinese officials of subjecting Muslims to torture, abuse "and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion."China denies mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training.One of the main exile groups, the World Uyghur Congress, thanked Trump for signing the law, adding that it "gave hope to the desperate Uighur people."Trump signed the bill as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held his first face-to-face meeting since last year with China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi.Trump issued a signing statement that some of the bill's requirements might limit his constitutional authority to conduct diplomacy so he would regard them as advisory, not mandatory.Trump did not hold a ceremony to mark his signing, which came as newspapers published excerpts from the new book by former national security adviser John Bolton.Among other allegations, Bolton says Trump sought Chinese President Xi Jinping's help to win re-election during a closed-door 2019 meeting, and that Trump said Xi should go ahead with building the camps in Xinjiang.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The Uighur law for the first time calls for sanctions on a member of China's powerful Politburo, Xinjiang's Communist Party secretary, Chen Quanguo, as responsible for "gross human rights violations."It also calls on US companies operating in Xinjiang to take steps to ensure they do not use parts made with forced labor.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Israeli officials's meeting on Trump peace plan ends

A short while ago, a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz, Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and Interior Minister Areyeh Deri ended.The meeting was reportedly held to discuss the Trump administration's Middle East peace plan.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--UAE says Turkish and Iranian interventions violate Iraqi sovereignty

CAIRO - The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that Turkish and Iranian military interventions in Iraq violated the sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ .
`` UAE denounced the Turkish and Iranian military interventions in brotherly Iraq , through @ @ @ @ @ northern Iraq , which constituted a violation of the sovereignty of a sisterly Arab country @ @ @ @ @ the spread of terror among innocent civilians , '' a foreign ministry statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ 's Defence Ministry said its warplanes had struck Kurdish forces in northern Iraq 's Haftanin @ @ @ @ @ second strike against the Kurdistan Workers ' Party ( PKK ) in northern Iraq in @ @ @ @ @ .

CAIRO - The United Arab Emirates said on Wednesday that Turkish and Iranian military interventions in Iraq violated the sovereignty of a sisterly Arab country.
"UAE denounced the Turkish and Iranian military interventions in brotherly Iraq, through their bombing of areas in northern Iraq, which constituted a violation of the sovereignty of a sisterly Arab country and led to intimidation and the spread of terror among innocent civilians," a foreign ministry statement said.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Syria says new tougher US sanctions breach international law

Syria said Washington's toughest sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad's government, which came to effect on Wednesday, violated international law.Syria will resist the fresh sanctions, which penalized 39 companies and individuals including Assad, his wife Asma and her family, according to a statement by the foreign ministry carried on state media.The new travel restrictions and financial sanctions strike Assad at a time when he is grappling with a deepening economic crisis in a country ravaged by nine years of war, and a rare outbreak of protests in government-held areas.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--El Al extends halt on scheduled flights until July 31

El Al has extended its halt on all scheduled passenger flights to and from Israel until July 31 , the @ @ @ @ @ Stock Exchange on Wednesday , with the exception of cargo flights and one-off services .
@ @ @ @ @ El Al earlier this month was June 30 .
Some 6,000 of the carrier 's @ @ @ @ @ unpaid leave until July 31 .

El Al has extended its halt on all scheduled passenger flights to and from Israel until July 31, the airline informed the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on Wednesday, with the exception of cargo flights and one-off services.
The previous date announced by El Al earlier this month was June 30. Some 6,000 of the carrier's 6,500 staff are also on unpaid leave until July 31.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Dead couple found in settlement near Jerusalem - police

An elderly couple were found dead in an apartment in the settlement of Givon Hahadasha northwest of Jerusalem , the @ @ @ @ @ .
The two , a man and a woman in their eighties , reportedly died @ @ @ @ @ incident is being investigated as a suspected murder-suicide , according to police .

An elderly couple were found dead in an apartment in the settlement of Givon Hahadasha northwest of Jerusalem, the Israel Police reported Wednesday afternoon.
The two, a man and a woman in their eighties, reportedly died of gunshot wounds. The incident is being investigated as a suspected murder-suicide, according to police.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Gov't declares Jaffa's Ajami, Arab cities 'restricted coronavirus areas'

The government has declared Jaffa 's Ajami neighborhood , as well as the cities of Arara in Wadi Ara and @ @ @ @ @ `` restricted areas , '' as Israel 's coronavirus cases continue to grow , N12 @ @ @ @ @ has spread to some 86 localities across the country , the Health Ministry reported , @ @ @ @

The government has declared Jaffa's Ajami neighborhood, as well as the cities of Arara in Wadi Ara and Rahat in the Negev, "restricted areas," as Israel's coronavirus cases continue to grow, N12 reported Wednesday.
The virus has spread to some 86 localities across the country, the Health Ministry reported, according to N12.


jerusalempost--2020-06-17--Coronavirus patient discovered on flight to Tel Aviv

Trains will finally return to Israel’s railways on Monday after the coronavirus cabinet approved the renewal of services under tight health restrictions on Wednesday evening.In addition, the ministers decided that cultural events will be permitted with crowds limited to 250 attendees, or 500 attendees if approved by the director-general of the Culture and Sport Ministry. They designated the Ajami neighborhood of Jaffa, Rahat and Arara as “red zones” with high levels of infection, where schools will now be closed and gatherings limited to 10 people.The meeting held at the Foreign Ministry took place as official data showed that Israel had recorded its largest number of daily cases in two months.Some 288 people tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry reported Wednesday evening, bringing the total number of active cases to 3,993.At last count, 19,783 cases of coronavirus had been confirmed in Israel, and the death toll was 302.“We have an increase in morbidity. We need to lower it, and we have to continue opening the economy,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting. “We will talk today about a responsible way to do that in the case of transportation too. But we must address the general increase and in specific centers of morbidity.”Initially, trains will be limited to 500 passengers and would-be travelers must reserve a place online from 48 hours ahead of their journey. Masks must be worn at all times, and the temperature of travelers will be checked upon entry to stations.Nighttime trains will not operate at this stage, and trains between Tel Aviv Hahagana and Jerusalem will not stop at Ben-Gurion Airport. Electrification work may cause disruption on other lines, and the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem line will be extended to Tel Aviv Savidor in the “coming weeks,” Israel Railways said.The reopening of cultural events follows weeks of protests, with industry workers demanding assistance as they have been forced to remain closed for more than two months.Although the current increase in coronavirus cases appears to be more gradual than the first wave, Israel has seen a rise in the number of serious patients over the past week. There are currently 36 patients in serious condition, including 29 who are intubated.Prof. Eli Waxman, who headed the panel of experts advising the National Security Council during the first wave of COVID-19, told The Jerusalem Post that while the number of serious people in intensive-care units is low, “it is the fraction we would expect.”“For every 400 new people, we expect two or three new ICU patients with a delay of about a week, and this is what we see,” he said. “The numbers are not surprising.”On Wednesday, the Health Ministry reported that a patient who had been traveling on an Israir rescue flight from Belgrade to Israel tested positive for coronavirus. The flight took place on June 11, and all people who were in contact with the traveler have been notified.OC Southern Command Maj.-Gen. Hertzi Halevi entered quarantine on Wednesday after he was present at an operational meeting last week in which a representative of the Defense Ministry who was infected with coronavirus participated.OC Gaza Division Brig.-Gen. Eliezer Toledano and OC 80th Division Brig.-Gen. Gur Schriebmann, who also were at the meeting, entered quarantine as well.At the same time, the Education Ministry reported that there were 654 students and faculty members sick with the virus and 23,442 in isolation. Moreover, 177 schools are currently closed.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Vietnam reports 7 new coronavirus cases, total at 342

Vietnam's health ministry on Thursday reported seven new coronavirus infections, all among Vietnamese citizens held in quarantine upon their arrival from Kuwait.The Southeast Asian country has been 63 days without a domestically transmitted infection due to successful programs to contain the virus. Vietnam has registered no deaths and a total 342 cases, about 90% of which have recovered.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Burundi swears in incoming president, week after predecessor's death

Burundi's incoming president Evariste Ndayishimiye, was sworn in on Thursday following the sudden death of his predecessor Pierre Nkurunziza, a live broadcast on state-run television showed.Ndayishimiye, 52, a retired army general, won last month's presidential election for the ruling party, defeating the opposition’s Agathon Rwasa and five others. Before Nkurunziza died earlier this month, he had been due to be sworn in to office in August.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--WHO testing interim data from COVID-19 trial on HIV drugs

Large multi-country trials of the combination HIV drug lopinavir/ritonavir to treat COVID-19 have recruited thousands of patients and the World Health Organization is now looking at interim data, the UN agency's chief scientist said on Thursday.
Soumya Swaminathan said several thousand patients had been enrolled in the lopinavir/ritonavir arm of the WHO-led Solidarity Trial and in a separate UK-led COVID-19 trial of the drug combination.
"This is already a huge number and should be enough to tell us whether this drug is actually having a mortality benefit or a benefit on disease severity," she told a media briefing.
Another arm of the WHO-led trial, looking at the potential effect of Gilead's antiviral drug remdesivir in COVID-19, might need more patients, she said.
"(We are) looking at ways to maximize the generation of knowledge about drugs which are promising," she said. "On the drug remdesivir, we still do not have a definitive answer on its impact on mortality - which is what we would like to see."
The Solidarity Trial started out with five arms looking at possible treatment approaches to COVID-19: standard care; remdesivir; the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine; the HIV drugs lopinavir/ritonavir; and lopanivir/ritonavir combined with interferon.
"We will come back very soon on further decisions on the Solidarity Trial. It's an adaptive design - you can change and adapt as you go on," Swaminathan said.
On Wednesday the WHO stopped the arm testing hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 patients, after studies indicated it showed no benefit in those who have the disease.
Swaminathan said more studies are still needed to see whether hydroxchloroquine may be effective as a preventative medicine. US President Donald Trump has touted the benefits of hydroxychloroquine, and said he took it to prevent infection.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Knesset employee tests positive for coronavirus

A Knesset employee tested positive for coronavirus , the Knesset Spokesperson said Thursday .
Knesset Officer Sub-Commander Joseph Griff reportedly @ @ @ @ @ , employees and members that all those who came in contact with the worker between @ @ @ @ @ are to follow the instructions that can be found on the Health Ministry 's website @ @ @ @ @ said Griff , will conduct an epidemiological investigation into the case in the meantime .

A Knesset employee tested positive for coronavirus, the Knesset Spokesperson said Thursday.
Knesset Officer Sub-Commander Joseph Griff reportedly announced to all Knesset visitors, employees and members that all those who came in contact with the worker between June 4 and June 18 are to follow the instructions that can be found on the Health Ministry's website.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Doctor at Soroka Medical Center tests positive for coronavirus

Ten workers of the Soroka Medical Center have been quarantined after a doctor from the hospital 's surgical department tested @ @ @ @ @ reported Thursday .
The hospital and the Health Ministry reportedly opened an investigation into the @ @ @ @ @ in contact with the patient .

Ten workers of the Soroka Medical Center have been quarantined after a doctor from the hospital's surgical department tested positive for coronavirus, Ynet reported Thursday.
The hospital and the Health Ministry reportedly opened an investigation into the movement of those who came in contact with the patient.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Jordan's foreign minister to meet with Abbas in Ramallah

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has arrived in Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas , Kan reported Thursday @ @ @ @ @ Safadi has arrived for an emergency meeting .

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has arrived in Ramallah to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Kan reported Thursday.
According to Kan, Safadi has arrived for an emergency meeting.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Netanyahu: Bar Siman Tov stood strong against harsh criticism

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov at a Thursday ceremony marking his departure @ @ @ @ @ You have voiced your opinion and stood up for it against waves of criticism , @ @ @ @ @ would call evil and baseless , '' Netanyahu said .
`` You did it quietly @ @ @ @ @ and voiced it to the public . ''
Bar Siman Tov is being replaced by @ @ @ @

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised former Health Ministry director-general Moshe Bar Siman Tov at a Thursday ceremony marking his departure, Walla reported.
"You have voiced your opinion and stood up for it against waves of criticism, sometimes cruel criticism that I would call evil and baseless," Netanyahu said.
"You did it quietly, confidently and responsibly, and voiced it to the public."


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Russia's new coronavirus cases rise at lowest in six weeks

Russia on Thursday reported 7,790 new cases of the novel coronavirus, its lowest daily rise in infections in six weeks, bringing the nationwide total to 561,091.Russia's coronavirus crisis response center said 182 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 7,660 since the crisis began.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Indonesia reports 1,331 new coronavirus cases, its biggest daily rise

Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said 63 more deaths were reported on Thursday , with total fatalities now at 2,339 @ @ @ @ @ toll in East Asia outside of China .
Indonesia on Wednesday overtook Singapore with the @ @ @ @ @ in Southeast Asia .

Indonesia reported 1,331 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, its, its biggest daily increase since the outbreak started locally, taking its total number of cases to 42,762.
Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said 63 more deaths were reported on Thursday, with total fatalities now at 2,339, the highest coronavirus death toll in East Asia outside of China.
Indonesia on Wednesday overtook Singapore with the largest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Coronavirus: 288 new patients overnight, another dead

The number of coronavirus patients continues to spike, even as the country opens up its borders. Overnight, some 288 Israelis tested positive for the virus. The total number of active cases is 3,993 as of Thursday morning.One person died overnight, bringing the total to 303.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Arye Deri quits Knesset

Arye Deri quits Knesset

Shas leader Arye Deri resigned from the Knesset on Wednesday night in accordance with the Norwegian Law that passed in the Knesset on Monday.Deri will be replaxced when the resignation takes effect on Saturday night, he will be replaced by the next candidate on the Shas list, deputy Petah Tikva mayor Rabbi Uriel Busso.Deri would automatically return to the Knesset if he quits his post as Interior Minister.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 8.36 million, death toll at 447,985

More than 8.36 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 447,985 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--2020-06-18--Trump signs bill calling for sanctions over China treatment of Muslims

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump signed legislation on Wednesday calling for sanctions over the repression of China's Uighur Muslims, as excerpts from a book by his former national security adviser alleged he had approved of their mass detention.The bill, which Congress passed with only one "no" vote, was intended to send China a strong message on human rights by mandating sanctions against those responsible for oppression of members of China's Muslim minority.The United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps in the Xinjiang region. The U.S. State Department has accused Chinese officials of subjecting Muslims to torture, abuse "and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion."China denies mistreatment and says the camps provide vocational training.One of the main exile groups, the World Uyghur Congress, thanked Trump for signing the law, adding that it "gave hope to the desperate Uighur people."Trump signed the bill as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held his first face-to-face meeting since last year with China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi.Trump issued a signing statement that some of the bill's requirements might limit his constitutional authority to conduct diplomacy so he would regard them as advisory, not mandatory.Trump did not hold a ceremony to mark his signing, which came as newspapers published excerpts from the new book by former national security adviser John Bolton.Among other allegations, Bolton says Trump sought Chinese President Xi Jinping's help to win re-election during a closed-door 2019 meeting, and that Trump said Xi should go ahead with building the camps in Xinjiang.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The Uighur law for the first time calls for sanctions on a member of China's powerful Politburo, Xinjiang's Communist Party secretary, Chen Quanguo, as responsible for "gross human rights violations."It also calls on US companies operating in Xinjiang to take steps to ensure they do not use parts made with forced labor.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--24-year-old dead after shooting in northern Israel

A 24-year-old succumbed to his injuries after being shot in Kfar Jatt , an Arab village in northern Israel , @ @ @ @ @ Thursday morning .
After having been shot in Kfar Jatt , the young man was @ @ @ @ @ in the Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye .
This is the second incident of murder @ @ @ @ @ last 24 hours .
During the night between Tuesday and Wednesday , a 22-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ Baqa al-Gharbiyye .
Police have opened investigations into the attacks .
Both victims were taken @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in Hadera by Magen David Adom after each shooting incident.Police have opened investigations @ @ @ @

A 24-year-old succumbed to his injuries after being shot in Kfar Jatt, an Arab village in northern Israel, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
After having been shot in Kfar Jatt, the young man was brought to a medical center in the Arab city of Baqa al-Gharbiyye.
This is the second incident of murder in the area in the last 24 hours. During the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, a 22-year-old was also shot to death in Baqa al-Gharbiyye.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--China reports 32 new coronavirus cases

China reports 32 new coronavirus cases

This compared with 28 confirmed cases a day earlier , 21 of which were in Beijing .
Local authorities are @ @ @ @ @ the capital and stepping up other measures to prevent the virus from spreading further following @ @ @ @ @ .
Another five asymptomatic COVID-19 patients , those who are infected with the coronavirus but @ @ @ @ @ also reported as of June 18 compared with eight a day earlier .
China does @ @ @ @ @ confirmed cases .

This compared with 28 confirmed cases a day earlier, 21 of which were in Beijing. Local authorities are restricting movement of people in the capital and stepping up other measures to prevent the virus from spreading further following a series of local infections.
Another five asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, those who are infected with the coronavirus but show no symptoms, were also reported as of June 18 compared with eight a day earlier. China does not count these patients as confirmed cases.
Mainland China reported 32 new coronavirus cases as of the end of June 18, 25 of which were reported in the capital city Beijing, China's National Health Commission said on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-19--Australia targeted by 'state-based' cyberattack, PM says

A `` sophisticated state-based actor '' has been attempting to hack a wide range of Australian organizations for months and had stepped up its efforts recently , Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday .
The attacks have targeted all levels of the government , political organizations , essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure , Morrison said in a media briefing in Canberra .
`` We know it is a sophisticated state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting , '' he said .
Morrison said there were not a lot of state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , but Australia will not identify which country was responsible .
Australia 's Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said advice showed no large-scale personal data breaches from the attack .
The revelation comes after Reuters reported Canberra had determined in March last year that China was responsible for a hacking attack on Australia 's parliament .
Australia never publicly identified that source of the attack and China denied it was responsible .
A US security ally , Australia strained ties with its largest trading partner , China , by pushing for an international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 that first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year .

A "sophisticated state-based actor" has been attempting to hack a wide range of Australian organizations for months and had stepped up its efforts recently, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday.
The attacks have targeted all levels of the government, political organizations, essential service providers and operators of other critical infrastructure, Morrison said in a media briefing in Canberra.
"We know it is a sophisticated state-based cyber actor because of the scale and nature of the targeting," he said.
Morrison said there were not a lot of state actors that could launch this sort of attack, but Australia will not identify which country was responsible.
Australia's Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said advice showed no large-scale personal data breaches from the attack, as she urged businesses and organizations to ensure any web or email servers are fully updated with the latest software and the use of multi-factor authentication.
An Australian government source said Morrison's public declaration was an attempt to raise the issue with those who could be targeted.
Australia's chief cyber intelligence agency said its investigations have so far found no evidence that the actor attempted to be "disruptive or destructive" once within the host's network.
Morrison said he had spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday about the issue, while briefings to other allies have also been conducted.
The revelation comes after Reuters reported Canberra had determined in March last year that China was responsible for a hacking attack on Australia's parliament. Australia never publicly identified that source of the attack and China denied it was responsible.
A US security ally, Australia strained ties with its largest trading partner, China, by pushing for an international inquiry into the source and spread of COVID-19 that first emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Negotiations between government, high school teachers end with no results

The over night discussion between state representatives and the high school teacher's organization has ended with no agreement signed, Ynet reported.The disagreement between the sides concerns itself with the ending of the school year, which suffered numerous issues due to the coronavirus.Talks are planned to be continued on Friday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Cyprus' president delays visit to Israel due to coronavirus

Cyprus' president, Nicos Anastasiades, has announced that he will be delaying his visit to Israel due to the increase in coronavirus cases, CyprusMail reported.Cyprus' government spokesperson told CyprusMail that Anastasiades spoke with Prime Minister Benjanmin Netanyahu, where they both agreed that the visit should be delayed until condition allow for a safe visit.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Deri resigns from managing coronavirus in Haredi and Arab communities

Interior Minister Areyh Deri has informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he will be resigning from his duties of being in charge of handling the coronavirus in the Haredi and Arab communities, Walla! reported on Thursday night."Since the first wave of the virus is behind us and the government has been formed, I am informing you of my resignation of my duties, and I'm certain that the organizational foundation we've put in place will assist the government's ministers to continue treating the coronavirus in all the country's communities." Deri said in his announcement to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Hebron shooter Elor Azaria files request for PTSD status

Hebron shooter Elor Azaria filed a request with the Defense Ministry to gain status as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the sister publication of The Jerusalem Post, Maariv, reported on Thursday, citing Channel 13.Azaria shot and killed a Palestinian man in Hebron when stationed there as part of his IDF service. He subsequently served nine months in prison for manslaughter after a much publicized court proceeding,Azaria now claims he suffered mental damage; the Defense Ministry declined to comment due to medical data being confidential.The Palestinian Azaria kiled, Abdel Fattah al-Sharif, stabbed an IDF soldier on duty at the army outpost in Tel Rumedia in Hebron in 2016.Other soldiers shot Sharif and he was captured alive. It was at this time, when Sharif was bound and wounded, that Azaria shot him in the head.The court case divided the nation, with some saying Azaria is a killer who violated the IDF code of engagement and others saying his actions were justified.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Neighborhoods in Rahat, Arara and Jaffa designated restricted zones

The announcement stated that schools will close and that gatherings of more than ten people will not be allowed in @ @ @ @ @ decision will take effect on Friday , June 19 , at 8:00 a.m. , and @ @ @ @ @ June 26 , at 8:00 a.m .

The announcement stated that schools will close and that gatherings of more than ten people will not be allowed in the restricted areas.
The decision will take effect on Friday, June 19, at 8:00 a.m., and will last until Wednesday, June 26, at 8:00 a.m.
The ministerial committee responsible for designating coronavirus restricted zones has declared neighborhoods in Rahat and Arara in the Negev, as well as neighborhoods in Jaffa, as restricted zones, according to a joint message from the Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry on Thursday.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Trump to release new list of conservative Supreme Court nominees

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he planned to release a new list of conservative nominees to the US Supreme Court after the high court dealt him a major setback on his hardline immigration policies.Trump said he would release the list by Sept. 1. "Based on decisions being rendered now, this list is more important than ever before," the Republican president said in a Twitter post.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--US Supreme Court rules against Trump bid to end 'Dreamers' program

The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld lower court rulings that found that Trump 's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) program , created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama , was unlawful .
Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court 's four liberals in finding that the administration 's actions were `` arbitrary and capricious '' under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act .
Trump said a legal solution was needed to address the hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamer immigrants after the court blocked his earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he planned to proceed .
`` I am asking for a legal solution on DACA , not a political one , consistent with the rule of law .
The Supreme Court is not willing to give us one , so now we have to start this process all over again , '' Trump tweeted .
The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants , mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries , currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed to address the hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamer immigrants after the court blocked his earlier effort but gave no other details on how he planned to proceed .
`` I am asking for a legal solution on DACA , not a political one , consistent with the rule of law .
The Supreme Court is not willing to give us one , so now we have to start this process all over again , '' Trump tweeted .
His administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second four-year term in office .
`` We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies .
We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action , '' Roberts wrote .
The ruling marks the second time this week that Roberts has ruled against Trump in a major case following Monday 's decision finding that gay and transgender workers are protected under federal employment law .
`` These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives , '' Trump wrote on Twitter after the DACA ruling .
The court 's four other conservatives including two Trump appointees , Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh , dissented .
`` Today 's decision must be recognized for what it is : an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision , '' Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in dissent .
Thomas , whose dissent was joined by Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito , said DACA itself was `` substantively unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action , bypassing Congress .
A collection of states including California and New York , people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump 's plan to end the program .
Lower courts in California , New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place , finding that his move to revoke the program violated the Administrative Procedure Act .
Only one justice , liberal Sonia Sotamayor , embraced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may have been motivated by discriminatory bias against immigrants .
Sotamayor is the court 's first Hispanic justice .
Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration , including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border , a central part of his presidency and his 2020 reelection campaign .
DACA recipients and their supporters in Congress including House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and in the business community welcomed the ruling and called for permanent protections to be enacted .
`` I feel content .
I think the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time I am also thinking we still have to defend the program , '' said Melody Klingenfuss , a 26-year-old DACA recipient and organizer with the California Dream Network .
Roberts a year ago also cast the decisive vote in a Supreme Court loss for the Republican president when the justices blocked Trump 's administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census that critics said was an effort to dissuade immigrants from taking part in the decennial population count .
That case raised similar questions about whether Trump 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy decision .
Immigrants had to meet certain conditions to qualify for DACA enrollment such as not being convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor and being enrolled in high school or having a high school diploma or equivalent .
Government figures show that upwards of 95 percent of current enrollees were born in Latin America , including 80 % from Mexico , followed by El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras .
Nearly half live in California and Texas .
The average age of DACA enrollees is 26 .
Obama created the DACA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation that would have overhauled US immigration policy and offered protections for the immigrants known as `` Dreamers , '' a moniker derived from the name of an immigration bill .
The young immigrants for whom the program was devised , Obama said , were raised and educated in the United States , grew up as Americans and often know little about their countries of origin .
After Thursday 's ruling , Obama wrote on Twitter , `` We may look different and come from everywhere , but what makes us American are @ @ @ @ @

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, blocking his bid to end a program that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants – often called "Dreamers" – who entered the United States illegally as children.
The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld lower court rulings that found that Trump's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, was unlawful.
Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's four liberals in finding that the administration's actions were "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.
The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants, mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries, currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits.
Trump said a legal solution was needed to address the hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamer immigrants after the court blocked his earlier effort but gave no other details on how he planned to proceed."I am asking for a legal solution on DACA, not a political one, consistent with the rule of law. The Supreme Court is not willing to give us one, so now we have to start this process all over again," Trump tweeted.
His administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office.
"We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies. We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action," Roberts wrote.
The ruling marks the second time this week that Roberts has ruled against Trump in a major case following Monday's decision finding that gay and transgender workers are protected under federal employment law.
"These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives," Trump wrote on Twitter after the DACA ruling.
The court's four other conservatives including two Trump appointees, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, dissented.
"Today's decision must be recognized for what it is: an effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in dissent.
Thomas, whose dissent was joined by Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito, said DACA itself was "substantively unlawful."
Trump's administration has argued that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action, bypassing Congress.
A collection of states including California and New York, people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump's plan to end the program. Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place, finding that his move to revoke the program violated the Administrative Procedure Act.
Only one justice, liberal Sonia Sotamayor, embraced arguments made by plaintiffs that the policy may have been motivated by discriminatory bias against immigrants. Sotamayor is the court's first Hispanic justice.
Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border, a central part of his presidency and his 2020 reelection campaign.
'I FEEL CONTENT'
DACA recipients and their supporters in Congress including House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and in the business community welcomed the ruling and called for permanent protections to be enacted.
"I feel content. I think the decision was what we deserved, but at the same time I am also thinking we still have to defend the program," said Melody Klingenfuss, a 26-year-old DACA recipient and organizer with the California Dream Network.
Roberts a year ago also cast the decisive vote in a Supreme Court loss for the Republican president when the justices blocked Trump's administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census that critics said was an effort to dissuade immigrants from taking part in the decennial population count. That case raised similar questions about whether Trump's administration followed lawful procedures in a reaching policy decision.
Immigrants had to meet certain conditions to qualify for DACA enrollment such as not being convicted of a felony or significant misdemeanor and being enrolled in high school or having a high school diploma or equivalent.
Government figures show that upwards of 95 percent of current enrollees were born in Latin America, including 80% from Mexico, followed by El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Nearly half live in California and Texas. The average age of DACA enrollees is 26.
Obama created the DACA program after Congress failed to pass bipartisan legislation that would have overhauled US immigration policy and offered protections for the immigrants known as "Dreamers," a moniker derived from the name of an immigration bill.
The young immigrants for whom the program was devised, Obama said, were raised and educated in the United States, grew up as Americans and often know little about their countries of origin. After Thursday's ruling, Obama wrote on Twitter, "We may look different and come from everywhere, but what makes us American are our shared ideals."


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Navy special ops cadet has COVID-19, 40 cadets in quarantine

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A Navy special ops cadet was diagnosed with COVID-19, Army Radio reporter Tsahi Dabush tweeted on Thursday. After the cadet tested positive, all 40 cadets were quarantined on base in Atlit.The Navy special ops graduation ceremony, which was scheduled to be held next week, was postponed until further notice.The operational capacities of the Navy Special Ops Unit is not effected, a source within the IDF told Army Radio.


jerusalempost--2020-06-18--Friedman ends mediation efforts, Lapid offers help

US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman ended his mediation efforts between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz.The ambassador was attempting to help get the Israeli government to form a united position regarding annexation the Jordan Valley and the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv reported on Thursday.In response, Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid tweeted “if needed, I’m free.”